The global temperature trajectory is falling\u00a0\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n
The Paris Agreement gave the world a new direction and accelerated the clean energy transition, proving itself pivotal in lowering projected global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This landmark accord has helped shape government policies and instigated multiple net-zero pledges from states and non-state (business) actors.<\/p>\n\n The projected temperature increase has since fallen from just below 4\u00b0C at the time of adoption of the Paris Agreement to just below 3\u00b0C. There is still a large 1.5\u00b0C ambition gap<\/a>, however, with current warming projections still well above the Paris Agreement\u2019s goal.<\/p>\n\n Consequently, the UN has warned in its latest Emissions Gap Report<\/a> of a looming temporary exceedance \u2013 or overshoot in technical terms \u2013 of the 1.5\u00b0C limit, very likely within the next decade. This must become a rallying call for action, ensuring we limit this overshoot through faster and bigger reductions in GHG emissions to minimise future climate risks.<\/p>\n\n Ahead of COP21 back in 2015, Greenpeace published the final version of its Energy [R]evolution scenario<\/a>, showing that a highly efficient and 100% renewable energy system was not only possible, but absolutely necessary to prevent catastrophic warming. <\/p>\n\n Our report was at that time considered a radical vision of possibility. That vision, however, is now becoming reality on the renewables front. Solar and wind power are now the most cost-effective forms of electricity generation, outperforming all other technologies in both cost and speed of installation. <\/p>\n\n Since 2021, the International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook (WEO) has also included a ‘Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario’ and in its 2025 WEO, the IEA said it still sees fossil-fuel use peaking before or around 2030<\/a>, despite a recent surge in political support for coal, oil and gas. <\/p>\n\n That same report affirmed that a renewable energy transition is underway and could solve the climate crisis along with other societal needs. Solar, wind and energy smart solutions are now clearly ready to deliver faster CO2 cuts than what countries currently assume in their pledged climate targets<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n Since 2010, the cost of solar, wind and batteries has respectively fallen by 90 percent, 70 percent and 90 percent, the IEA figures show<\/a>, with further declines of 10-40 percent expected by 2035.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n The key now is for governments to speed up the transition by pushing fossil fuels out of the way and eliminating barriers related to grids, storage and climate finance gaps. But this must also be done as part of a just transition<\/a> to ensure a fast, orderly and fair fossil fuel phase-out.<\/p>\n\n During the UN climate conference COP30 in Bel\u00e9m, Brazil, in November, the UN published an aggregate analysis of countries\u2019 2035 climate action plans \u2013 known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) \u2013 and exposed again, however, an alarming lack of ambition.<\/p>\n\n Under the Paris Agreement, countries are required to submit new, successively ambitious NDCs every five years to the UNFCCC secretariat. The updated 2025 Synthesis Report<\/a>, however, showed that new 2035 NDCs will only produce a projected 12 percent cut in global emissions by 2035. This is woefully short of the 60 percent global reduction needed (compared to 2019 levels).<\/p>\n\n The main culprits are the G20 countries, collectively responsible for 80 percent of global emissions. A Greenpeace report, the 2035 Climate Ambition Gap<\/a>, found that G20 climate action plans would yield a paltry 23-29 percent cut in emissions towards the 60 percent global target.<\/p>\n\n G20 countries are home to the world\u2019s largest producers and consumers of fossil fuels, yet none of their 2035 NDCs include credible plans to phase them out. Their actions in the coming years will make or break the 1.5\u00b0C goal<\/a> and it\u2019s critical they ramp up ambition now. Above all, developed countries should be leading the way.<\/p>\n\n The significance of the Paris Agreement cannot be overestimated. It was the first binding agreement that committed all nations together to combat climate change<\/a> and adapt to its effects. It was adopted by 195 parties and entered into force on 4 November 2016.<\/p>\n\n Despite efforts to undermine the accord by the US administration under President Trump \u2013 who has twice initiated a US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement \u2013 the Paris Agreement has withstood multiple challenges and been repeatedly affirmed by successive COPs.<\/p>\n\n No other country has exited the Paris Agreement and at COP28 in Dubai, at the first Global Stocktake (GST) of action since the Paris Agreement<\/a>, governments agreed for the first time to transition away from fossil fuels in a just, orderly and equitable manner and, secondly, to end deforestation by 2030. <\/p>\n\n These GST decisions are like the bedrock of the Paris Agreement \u2013 clearly spelling out the foundational requirements to keep the 1.5\u00b0C limit in sight.<\/p>\n\n A landmark advisory opinion in July from the International Court of Justice<\/a>, also put countries on notice that they are legally obliged to protect the world from further warming, confirming that the Paris Agreement\u2019s 1.5\u00b0C limit is the legal binding temperature threshold. <\/p>\n\n Despite these achievements, is the Paris Agreement doing enough? The answer is still no. <\/p>\n\n Among many pressing demands, more money for climate action, adaptation and loss and damage is urgently needed<\/a> and Greenpeece is calling for countries to start making oil and gas companies pay for climate damages through a Polluters Pay Pact<\/a> and campaigning for an end to deforestation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n Greenpeace France activists also marked the Paris Agreement anniversary with a protest<\/a> denouncing, among others, French President Macron and US President Trump for \u201c10 years of climate sabotage\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n It\u2019s time that political and business leaders around the world finally stand with the millions of people demanding climate and biodiversity action<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n So, 10 years after the Paris Agreement, all eyes were on COP30 in Bel\u00e9m, where it was hoped that historic progress to phase out fossil fuels and end forest destruction would be achieved. <\/p>\n\n![\"1.5](\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-international-stateless\/2025\/12\/487bfdb3-gp0su7civ.jpg\" "\\"1.5")
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Ambitious energy futures have become the mainstream\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n
Climate action plans are still insufficient<\/h2>\n\n
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Paris Agreement a shining, resilient light of global climate politics<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Global](\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-international-stateless\/2025\/11\/dfd7c80e-gp0su7fnf.jpg\" "\\"Global")
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At COP30, roadmaps to end fossil fuels and deforestation were on the agenda<\/h2>\n\n