749. Reports on Climate Change Featured in Pick Up

FY2023 has begun. The JIRCAS Pick Up features reports from international organizations and other organizations. In FY2022, 23 reports were featured. We plan to introduce many reports in FY2023 as well, but today's Pick Up summarizes four reports on climate change from those introduced last year.

According to the Synthesis Report of the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), there is no doubt that human activities are causing global warming through greenhouse gas emissions, with a temperature increase of 1.1°C between 2011 and 2020 compared to the period1850-1900. There is no doubt that the gap between the commitments made in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and projected greenhouse gas emissions up to October 2021 is so large that a rise of 1.5°C rise is likely during the 21st century, and may even be difficult to limit to less than 2°C.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Emissions Gap Report 2022, current policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are far from meeting the Paris Agreement's goal of a temperature rise of less than 1.5°C, and warns that the temperature rise could reach 2.8°C by the end of this century.

Looking ahead to 2022, it is clear that global carbon dioxide emissions have increased by 0.9% compared to the previous year, reaching a record high. However, as reported in CO2 Emissions in 2022 of the the the International Energy Agency (IEA), the rate of growth was lower than originally expected, as the impact of increased fossil fuel use due to the energy crisis was offset by the growth of clean energy sources such as solar and wind power, as well as improvements in energy efficiency. The report calls for an accelerated transition to clean energy.

Although progress has been made in adapting to climate change globally, the adaptation gap is widening as climate change progresses, and some sectors and regions are failing to adapt, particularly developing countries with inadequate financial support. Carbon dioxide emissions from the agricultural sector account for more than 20% of global emissions. The Breakthrough Agenda Report 2022, a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, states that one of the key priorities for international cooperation in the agricultural sector is the the need for small farmers in developing countries to improve access to finance to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while increasing agricultural productivity and durability. Accelerating the transition from conventional agriculture to sustainable agriculture with reduced greenhouse gas emissions will require a long-term process and the sharing of knowledge on sustainable practices. In addition, countries should start discussing how international trade can promote sustainable agriculture.

Each report is featured in a Pick Up article, which can be found at the link below. This year, we will continue to include information from international organizations and discuss issues related to food systems, climate change, and food and nutrition security.

Reports by International Organizations and Introductions in Pick Up

AR6 Synthesis Report (IPCC)
742. AR6 Synthesis Report ～Humanity's Survival Guide to Defuse the Climate Time-bomb

Emissions Gap Report 2022 (UNEP)
656. UNEP Emissions Gap 2022 Report 2022: the Closing Window 

CO2 Emissions in 2022 (IEA)
729. Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions in 2022

Breakthrough Agenda Report 2022 (IEA, IRENA)
629. Gaps in International Cooperation Could Delay Net Zero by Decades

Contributor: KANAMORI Norihito (Information and Public Relations Office