UN Environment Emissions Gap Report 2018

The UN Environment Emissions Gap Report, provides scientifically credible and policy relevant information to parties in time for the sessions of the Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. This was the 9th edition of the UN Environment Emissions Gap Report. It assesses the latest scientific studies on current and estimated future greenhouse gas emissions and compares these with the emission levels permissible for the world to progress on a least-cost pathway to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. This difference between “where we are likely to be and where we need to be” is known as the ‘emissions gap’. As in previous years, the report explores some of the most important options available for countries to bridge the gap.

UN Environment has since 2010 undertaken this annual scientific assessment of the emissions gap required to keep global average temperature increase to well below 2°C or 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The assessment reports are produced in direct response to requests by states and other stakeholders, and many countries have expressed that the Gap assessments will remain an important annual input to the post-Paris process leading to the operationalization and implementation of the Paris Agreement.