Emissions Gap Report 2023 - Executive Summary

This executive summary presents an independent science-based assessment of the widening gap between pledged greenhouse gas reductions and the emission cuts required to align with the long-term temperature goals under the Paris Agreement. It highlights that global emissions reached a record 57.4 gigatons of CO₂ equivalent in 2022, largely driven by fossil fuel use and industrial activity, with deep inequalities in both per capita and historical contributions. Despite some policy progress since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, updates to national commitments since COP27 have been negligible, and the 2030 emissions gap remains critically high—14 gigatons for a 2°C pathway and 22 gigatons for 1.5°C. While net-zero pledges now cover about 81 percent of global emissions, their credibility and implementation remain weak, especially among G20 members.