The United Nations has issued a stark warning that the world is on track to surpass the critical 1.5°C warming threshold within years, with planet-warming emissions reaching a new record high in 2024. Despite a wave of national commitments to reduce heat-trapping pollution, these efforts are insufficient to prevent devastating climate impacts, according to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). The latest Emissions Gap report reveals that current pledges would limit global warming to between 2.3°C and 2.5°C by 2100—far above the safer 1.5°C target. Scientists emphasize that exceeding this threshold risks catastrophic consequences, including more intense hurricanes, floods, and irreversible climate tipping points. The report, released ahead of the COP30 climate summit in Brazil, underscores the urgent need for unprecedented emissions cuts. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for minimizing the overshoot of 1.5°C, urging major polluters to accelerate their efforts. However, the latest round of carbon-cutting targets has barely made progress, with only one-third of countries meeting the 2035 emissions reduction deadline. The report also highlights the disproportionate role of G20 economies, which account for 75% of global emissions, and the limited impact of recent climate pledges. With Earth projected to warm by 2.8°C under current policies, COP30 faces the challenge of reigniting global climate action amid geopolitical tensions and missed targets.