When it comes to climate change, the headlines can sometimes seem contradictory. One day, we read about catastrophic wildfires wreaking havoc across the globe; the next, we see an optimistic article about the rapid rise of solar and wind energy. Taken together, these narratives can make it difficult to grasp the big picture of climate action. Are countries actually implementing effective solutions if greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions continue to rise? In which areas has the world made enough progress to overcome the climate crisis, and where are the gaps? What specific measures are needed to get us on the right track?
To help answer these questions, the 2023 edition of the State of Climate Action report outlines a detailed roadmap of the actions required by 2030 and 2050 to keep global warming below 1.5°C—the limit scientific consensus deems safe to avoid even more devastating and irreversible impacts of climate change. The report establishes specific targets that each sector must meet to fulfill the goals of the Paris Agreement and assesses where the world stands today. This year's edition reveals that of the 42 indicators evaluated, the world is on track in only one: electric vehicle sales.
