On Tuesday, November 5, 2013, experts from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Resources Institute (WRI) will host a press teleconference to announce the findings of the latest “emissions gap report.”

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) states that its ultimate objective is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. This objective has been translated into a 2°C threshold in global average temperature. With the view of contributing to the goal of keeping global average temperature increases below that threshold, some Parties to the UNFCCC have put forward emission reduction pledges, while others have made commitments on maximum emissions levels under the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol.

Since 2010, UNEP has facilitated an annual independent analysis of those pledges and commitments through the development of the annual Emissions Gap reports. The reports assess whether - assuming full implementation - they would be consistent with a least-cost approach to keep global average warming below 2°C, compared to pre-industrial levels. Confirming and strengthening the conclusions of the three earlier assessments, the 2013 report highlights that current pledges and commitments fall short from meeting that goal.

Experts from WRI are authors and contributors to several chapters of the report.

WHAT:
Press Conference launching UNEP Emissions Gap Report.
Key findings will be presented, and a question and answer session will follow.

WHEN:
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time

WHO:

  • Opening remarks by Merlyn van Voore, UNEP Climate Change Coordinator

  • Presentation of key findings by lead authors Jennifer Morgan, Director, Climate & Energy Program, and Taryn Fransen, Project Director, WRI

  • Responses also from Kelly Levin, Senior Associate, WRI

  • Moderator: Elisabeth Guilbaud-Cox, Head of Communications, UNEP Regional Office for North America

Dial in:
US/Toll-Free: 1 (888) 790-3448
International/Toll: +1 (773) 756-4800
Access Code: “UNEP”

For more information, please contact:

UNEP: Elisabeth Guilbaud-Cox, Head of Communications, UNEP Regional Office for North America, Tel: (202) 974-1307; Mobile: (202) 812-2100; email: elisabeth.guilbaud-cox@unep.org.

WRI: Michael Oko, Director of Strategic Communications & Media, World Resource Institute, Tel: (202) 729-7684; email: michael.oko@wri.org.

About UNEP’s Regional Office for North America
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading authority on the environment within the United Nations system. RONA’s mission is to build support in the region for UNEP’s work, to promote effective responses to international environmental challenges and to foster cooperation on environmental issues between North America and the broader international community. To achieve this mission, RONA’s strategy is promote collaboration between UNEP and all sectors of North American society, including U.S. and Canadian governmental institutions, the private sector, non-governmental organizations and other civil society groups.

About WRI
WRI is a global research organization that spans more than 50 countries, with offices in the United States, China, India, Brazil, and more. Our more than 300 experts and staff work closely with leaders to turn big ideas into action to sustain our natural resources—the foundation of economic opportunity and human well-being.