New Report Finds Efforts to Slow Climate Change Are Working—Just Not Fast Enough

The recent report released by a coalition of climate organizations assesses progress made since the Paris Agreement was signed 10 years ago, aiming to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. While there has been notable advancement—such as the increasing affordability and reliability of renewable energy and improvements in electric vehicles—overall progress remains insufficient and uneven. The report evaluates 45 indicators across various sectors, finding that none are fully on track to meet climate goals. Six indicators show some progress but not fast enough, nearly 30 are significantly lagging, and five are worsening, including critical areas like coal use and emissions. A major concern highlighted is the global reliance on coal, which despite a slight decrease in its share of electricity generation in 2024, reached record-high total use due to rising electricity demand, particularly in China and India. Experts emphasize that to meet climate targets, coal phaseout efforts must accelerate dramatically—requiring the shutdown of hundreds of coal plants annually and cancellation of new coal