A stark UN report reveals that global climate pledges fall drastically short of the reductions needed to prevent catastrophic warming, as the world faces record-high CO₂ levels and rising environmental crises.
Seas are rising, forests are burning, and the global community remains alarmingly complacent as the planet crosses irreversible climate tipping points. Despite mounting evidence of environmental devastation, many governments continue to engage with fossil fuel interests as if the crisis does not exist. Although annual climate summits are held with pledges and targets galore, adherence is often lacking, painting a grim picture for the future of the Earth’s climate.
A recent United Nations (UN) report assessing the climate action pledges of 64 countries, released just ahead of the COP30 summit in Brazil, reveals that current commitments collectively aim to reduce global carbon emissions by only about 11-12% by 2030-2035 relative to 2019 levels. While this represents the first-ever projected decline, it falls drastically short of the 60% reduction scientists say is needed by 2035 to limit global warming to the critical threshold of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Without such drastic cuts, even the more lenient 2°C target is unlikely to be met, thereby exposing the world to more extreme weather and environmental catastrophe.
The report notes that key emitters such as China, India, and the European Union have yet to submit updated national targets, raising questions about their commitment. Particularly concerning is India’s recent report showing the highest absolute increase in emissions worldwide, adding 165 million tonnes of greenhouse gases from 2023-24 alone, followed by China, Russia, Indonesia, and the US. Although India maintains a low per capita emission rate, its total emissions are rising, and it has not yet submitted a new nationally determined contribution (NDC 3.0), putting the country in a complex “climate justice” dilemma. Observers highlight that while India’s growth and development needs are legitimate, stronger reporting and governance are essential to meet international climate goals.
Complementing these findings, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has sounded a stark warning with its latest data showing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations hitting record highs in 2024. The global average concentration surged by 3.5 parts per million (ppm) in a single year, the largest annual increase since continuous measurements began in 1957, bringing CO₂ levels to approximately 423.9 ppm, which is about 152% of pre-industrial levels. This escalation results from continued fossil fuel burning, extensive wildfires, notably in South America, and a weakening of natural carbon sinks represented by forests and oceans. The WMO emphasises that these greenhouse gases are “turbocharging” the climate, leading to more frequent and severe weather extremes.
India has taken some regulatory steps to curb emissions from traditional heavy industries. In early October, its environment ministry introduced legally binding emission reduction targets for 282 industrial units in sectors like cement, pulp and paper, aluminium, and chlor-alkali chemical plants. Beginning from 2025-26, these units must reduce greenhouse gas emissions per unit of product, enforced under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) compliance mechanism. However, enforcement and monitoring remain significant challenges, as evidenced by the deteriorating air quality in major Indian cities such as Delhi and Kolkata, despite existing regulations.
Beyond industrial emissions, India’s progress towards its net-zero goal by 2070 involves significant emphasis on renewable energy, carbon markets, and industrial decarbonisation. Yet, public procurement remains a largely underappreciated source of emissions. Government purchasing decisions in sectors like public transport and construction significantly influence the country’s carbon footprint. Unlike the European Union, which incorporates environmental standards in procurement processes, and South Korea, which has encouraged voluntary green procurement with fiscal incentives since 2005, India lacks a unified national law or WTO membership on government procurement that integrates sustainability. Experts suggest that embedding sustainability criteria into tendering and systematic compliance monitoring could reduce procurement-linked emissions by 15-20%, potentially avoiding up to 115 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalent annually. Even minimal improvements in procurement efficiency could save substantial public funds.
Underlying the inefficacy in emissions control is a lack of strong governance combined with entrenched corruption and close ties between political leaders and industrial interests. This nexus undermines regulatory enforcement and prioritises short-term business profits over environmental and public health. The poor and marginalised communities bear the brunt of pollution and climate impacts, a reality that underscores the urgent need for the government to enforce the widely accepted ‘polluter pays’ principle. Critics question why the government hesitates to act decisively against polluting businesses, especially when political funding often stems from these very sectors. The growing environmental crisis, manifesting through increasingly frequent extreme weather events, worsening air quality, and rising greenhouse gas levels, demands robust and transparent action.
As the COP30 summit convenes with renewed promises, it is clear that current global efforts are far from sufficient to halt the accelerating climate crisis. Without stronger commitments, better enforcement mechanisms, and inclusive policies integrating environmental sustainability across all governance sectors, the world faces a future marked by profound ecological and humanitarian challenges. The time for incremental progress has passed; what is required now is urgent, coordinated, and transparent leadership to avert an impending environmental disaster.
📌 Reference Map:
- [1] (Daily Excelsior) – Paragraphs 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
- [2] (Reuters) – Paragraphs 2, 3
- [3] (Reuters) – Paragraph 4
- [4] (UN Geneva) – Paragraph 4
- [5] (ABC News) – Paragraph 4
- [6] (AP News) – Paragraph 4
- [7] (LiveScience) – Paragraph 4
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references recent reports from the United Nations and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) regarding climate change and emissions. The WMO’s Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, released on 15 October 2025, highlights record CO₂ levels in 2024. ([public.wmo.int](https://public.wmo.int/media/news/carbon-dioxide-levels-increase-record-amount-new-highs-2024?utm_source=openai)) The United Nations’ report on climate action pledges of 64 countries was also released ahead of the COP30 summit in Brazil. These reports are recent and relevant, indicating a high freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from the WMO’s Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett and Senior Scientific Officer Oksana Tarasova. These quotes are consistent with statements made in the WMO’s recent reports. ([public.wmo.int](https://public.wmo.int/media/news/carbon-dioxide-levels-increase-record-amount-new-highs-2024?utm_source=openai)) No discrepancies or variations in wording were found, suggesting the quotes are accurately reproduced.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative cites reputable organizations such as the United Nations and the WMO, which are authoritative sources on climate-related information. However, the primary source of the narrative is the Daily Excelsior, a regional news outlet. While it references credible organizations, the outlet’s overall reputation and reach are less established compared to global news agencies.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims regarding record CO₂ levels and the urgency of climate action are consistent with recent scientific findings. The WMO’s report indicates a 3.5 ppm increase in CO₂ levels from 2023 to 2024, the largest annual increase since 1957. ([public.wmo.int](https://public.wmo.int/media/news/carbon-dioxide-levels-increase-record-amount-new-highs-2024?utm_source=openai)) The narrative’s emphasis on the need for urgent, coordinated, and transparent leadership aligns with the global consensus on addressing climate change.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is based on recent and credible reports from the United Nations and the WMO, accurately quoting their findings. While the primary source is a regional news outlet, the information presented is consistent with established scientific data, indicating a high level of reliability.