NEWS

• The State of Climate Action Report (2025), released recently, highlights that despite record-breaking investments in renewable energy, the world remains off-track to meet the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
• The findings come ahead of the COP 30 Summit to be held in Belem, Brazil, where nations will submit revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for 2035.

HIGHLIGHTS

Key Findings of the Report

• Clean Energy Investments:
  • Global investment in renewables nearly doubled fossil fuel spending in 2024 and rose 10% further in early 2025.
  • However, this remains insufficient to offset continued fossil-fuel use, especially coal.
• Coal Consumption:
  • Coal use hit a record high in 2024, undermining the gains made by renewables, which generated over 50% of global electricity in the first half of the year.
• Temperature Trends:
  • The past decade has been the hottest on record, with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions showing little sign of peaking, contrary to IPCC expectations.

Global Concerns and Implications

• The slow pace of emission reductions jeopardizes the Paris Pact’s central goal.
• US policy reversals and inconsistent international commitments have further delayed progress.
• The International Energy Agency (IEA) warns that current clean-energy investment levels are not enough to achieve net-zero targets.

Way Forward – Expectations from COP 30

• Countries must enhance NDC ambitions and agree on stronger mechanisms for accountability.
• The summit should focus on:
  • Phasing out coal dependence,
  • Scaling up climate finance for developing nations,
  • Ensuring technology transfer and capacity building.