Accelerating Climate Action: Unveiling the Path to 1.5°C

The assessment of the first "global stocktake" of progress on climate change since the Paris Agreement in 2015 shows some positive developments, including a decrease in the expected global warming by 2100 if current policies are followed. The increase in renewable energy capacity and the implementation of carbon-pricing schemes have contributed to this progress. However, more needs to be done to achieve the goal of limiting global warming to 2°C. The COP conferences provide a platform for side-agreements and new expressions of intent, but the private sector's investment and redesigning of energy markets are crucial for further advancements. The urgency of climate change is evident in the record-breaking temperatures experienced this year. Discussions on solar geoengineering and carbon dioxide removal should be held outside of the COP conferences, while countries need to be explicit about their removal plans and separate them from emission reduction targets. The UN process can help galvanize progress, but more action is needed to address the challenges ahead.