The temperature on Earth by the end of this century may rise by 3.4 - 3.9 degrees Celsius, if we do not take the steps outlined in the Paris climate deal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, said annual report of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) published in Geneva.

“Our collective failure to act early and hard on climate change means we now must deliver deep cuts to emissions,” said Inger Andersen, UNEP’s Executive Director.

“We need quick wins to reduce emissions as much as possible in 2020, then stronger Nationally Determined Contributions to kick-start the major transformations of economies and societies. We need to catch up on the years in which we procrastinated”, she added. “If we don’t do this, the 1.5°C goal will be out of reach before 2030.”