Temporarily exceeding the 1.5°C global warming goal set in Paris is widely considered inevitable. The challenge now is to keep that overshoot as small and short as possible by cutting emissions faster, unlocking finance and strengthening international cooperation.
Just over a decade ago, the world was heading towards more than 4°C of warming over pre-industrial levels. Climate action since the Paris Agreement has lowered that trajectory to 2.3°C if current national commitments are fully delivered.
The United Nations has been at the centre of those efforts, pushing for stronger national plans, a faster transition to renewable energy and greater attention to adaptation, climate justice and the financing needs of developing countries.