Only 15% of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are on track at the half-time point of the 2030 agenda due to the impact of climate change, according to a latest report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
CLIMATE CHANGE UNDERMINES PROGRESS ON HUNGER, POVERTY, HEALTH, AND MORE
The report emphasizes that climate change is already impacting the world, with record temperatures and extreme weather events causing widespread damage. The global response to climate change is falling short, and the world is off-track halfway to the 2030 deadline for the SDGs.
ANNUAL REPORT COMBINES INSIGHTS FROM 18 ORGANIZATIONS
This annual report, a collaborative effort involving 18 organizations, is issued ahead of the SDG Summit and Climate Ambition Summit at the United Nations General Assembly. It highlights the role of weather, climate, and water-related sciences in achieving SDGs such as food and water security, clean energy, better health, sustainable oceans, and resilient cities.
URGENT NEED FOR SCIENCE AND SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CRISIS
The report underscores the urgent need for science and solutions to address the climate crisis. It points out that between 1970 and 2021, nearly 12,000 reported disasters related to weather, climate, and water extremes caused over 2 million deaths and $4.3 trillion in economic losses. The majority of these impacts occurred in developing economies, undermining sustainable development.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres: “2023 has shown all too clearly that climate change is here. Record temperatures are scorching the land and heating the sea, as extreme weather causes havoc around the globe. While we know this is just the beginning, the global response is falling far short.”
Quote from WMO Secretary-General Prof. Petteri Taalas:
“Groundbreaking scientific and technological advances, such as high-resolution climate modelling, artificial intelligence, and nowcasting, can catalyze transformation to achieve the SDGs. Achieving Early Warnings for All by 2027 will not only save lives and livelihoods but also help safeguard sustainable development.”
Quote from Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme:
“The science continues to show that we are not doing enough to lower emissions and meet the goals of the Paris Agreement – as the world prepares for the first global stocktake at COP28, we must increase our ambition and action, and we must all do the real work to transform our economies through a just transition to a sustainable future for people and planet.”
