Chart of the Day: G20 to address climate change

Greenhouse gas concentration, global sea level and ocean heat reached record highs in 2022, according to an annual review of the global climate published on Wednesday by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). 

The G20 environment and climate ministerial meeting was held in Chennai, India on July 28. The conference delved into global environmental issues such as climate change, the blue economy, resource efficiency and the circular economy, land and biodiversity, and water resources management. 

The Chinese delegation emphasized at the meeting that the G20, as the main forum for international economic cooperation, bears important responsibilities in promoting global sustainable development, coordinating economic development and environmental protection, and addressing climate change. 

According to the State of the Global Climate in 2022, released by the WMO, the planet was about 1.15 degrees Celsius warmer than the pre-industrial (1850-1900) average in 2022, making the last eight years the warmest on record. The global mean sea level continued to rise. The sea has risen approximately 3.4 millimeters per year over the past 30 years since satellite altimeter recording of the phenomenon began.

From mountain peaks to ocean depths, climate change continued its advance in 2022. The WMO noted that drought, floods and heat waves affected communities on every continent and cost many billions of dollars.

G20 countries face massive challenges in implementing measures to combat climate change, including lack of capacity and resources, limited financing, and legal, policy and regulatory risks.

The 2030 Adaptation Action Agenda presented by The COP 27 Presidency aims to increase resilience to both immediate and long-term effects of climate change. The 30 adaptation outcomes include urgent global 2030 targets and were underpinned by 2,000 organizations spanning 131 countries. 

As a G20 member country and the chair of the 2022 United Nations Biodiversity Conference of the Parties (COP 15), China says it will continue to promote the global biodiversity conservation process and strengthen international cooperation in climate change and pollution control.

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