NEWS & EVENTS : GENERAL INFORMATION
United Nations: Review of long-term goal to limit global warming below 2 degrees Celsius on the table in Panama
09.29.2011
Recent observations continue to show changes in Earth's climate
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The year 2010 tied with 2005 as the warmest year on record, and the global average temperature increased by 0.83 degrees Celsius since 1880. Sea level is rising by 3.27 mm per year (satellite sea level observation, relative to 1993-2010) and arctic sea ice is declining by 11.5% per decade (relative to 1979-2000).
Against this backdrop, the Parties to UNFCCC have set the long-term global goal to limit average global temperature warming below 2 degrees in comparison to pre-industrial levels, and periodically review the adequacy of this goal.
Parties are expected to adopt the modalities of this review, and the upcoming session in Panama will play an important role in preparing a draft decision on this matter. During the Panama meeting, the IPCC will hold a technical briefing on its forthcoming Fifth Assessment Report, which will be a main source of information for the review.
A shared vision for cooperative action to tackle increase in global human CO2 emissions from energy, and CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere continue to grow.
To limit global warming below 2 degrees, Parties will continue in Panama to work towards identifying a global goal for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and the timeframe for their peaking. Other aspects of a shared vision, such as equity and historical responsibility, may also be addressed.
Further information: http://unfccc.int/2860.php
