The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has described the findings of the 2023 Production Gap report as a “startling indictment of runaway climate carelessness.” This report reveals that despite the commitment of 151 governments to reach net-zero emissions, extraction of coal, oil, and gas is on the rise. In other words, governments are “literally doubling down” on fossil fuel production, which Guterres warns could have disastrous consequences for people and the planet.
The research, conducted by the Stockholm Environment Institute, Climate Analytics, E3G, International Institute for Sustainable Development, and the UN Environment Programme, calls for a near total phase-out of coal production and use by 2040, as well as a 75% reduction in oil and gas production by 2050. However, none of the 20 countries featured in the report have promised to reduce coal, oil, and gas production in line with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
At the COP26 summit in Glasgow two years ago, governments agreed to accelerate efforts to phase out coal power. Despite this, fossil fuel production and use have reached record levels. The UN chief is urging countries with greater capacity to transition away from fossil fuels to aim for more ambitious reductions and to help support the transition processes in countries with limited resources.
At COP28 in Dubai at the end of this month, Guterres believes that world leaders must demonstrate that the fossil fuel age is coming to an end. To make this happen, credible commitments to ramp up renewables, phase out fossil fuels, and increase energy efficiency are needed to ensure a just and equitable transition. He concluded by stating that “fossil fuels are sending essential climate goals up in smoke. It’s time for change.”