Why climate action now comes down to speed, finance and cooperation

The 1.5°C global warming threshold set in Paris is expected to be temporarily exceeded, but the priority now is to limit the overshoot’s size and duration by accelerating emissions reductions, securing financing, and enhancing global collaboration. The United Nations has played a central role in driving these efforts, advocating for stronger national climate plans, a rapid shift to renewable energy, and greater support for adaptation, climate justice, and the financial needs of developing nations. Despite progress since the Paris Agreement lowered projected warming from over 4°C to 2.3°C under current commitments, the past 11 years have been the hottest on record, with escalating climate impacts such as heatwaves, droughts, floods, and wildfires. The world remains on track to surpass 1.5°C at least temporarily, making the next phase of climate action focused on delivering existing promises while pushing for much greater ambition.

The 1.5°C limit refers to the long-term average temperature rise, not a single year, and an overshoot means temperatures briefly exceed this level before potentially declining if emissions are cut deeply enough. Even with full implementation of current national climate plans and additional net-zero pledges, warming could still peak at around 1.8°C, according to a UN Environment Programme report. Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that every fraction of a degree matters, as higher temperatures increase risks to lives, livelihoods, inequality, and ecosystems. The pace of action is critical because the gap between current plans and scientific requirements remains substantial.

Countries responsible for nearly 90% of global emissions have submitted updated national climate plans, known as NDCs, but even if fully implemented, these plans are projected to reduce emissions by only around 10% by 2035. To keep the 1.5°C goal within reach, emissions would need to fall by roughly 60% over the same period. Closing this gap requires faster cuts in emissions, particularly methane and other short-lived climate pollutants, halting deforestation, and accelerating the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Supporting infrastructure, such as modern electricity grids, storage solutions, and increased use of clean electricity in transport, heating, and industry, is also essential.

Developing countries face higher borrowing costs for renewable energy projects, making investment in clean power, grids, and storage more challenging despite significant potential. The UN has repeatedly called for cheaper finance, reforms to multilateral development banks, and greater private investment in these nations. Finance also determines who benefits from the transition, with a just transition aiming to help workers and communities adapt, create decent jobs, and ensure developing countries play a larger role in the clean-energy economy, including capturing more value from critical minerals like those needed for batteries.