The UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2026, released on October 21, warns that global warming may soon breach the 1.5°C limit. Dr. Abraham Lingan said, "The world is on course to exceed the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C warming limit." India must now cut emissions and build heat-resilient cities to protect lives.
Chennai: As global warming threatens to breach the Paris Agreement's critical 1.5°C limit, India must accelerate the shift to clean energy, slash fossil-fuel emissions and make economic growth climate-friendly. Chennai must urgently transform into a heat-resilient, flood-safe city by expanding tree cover, adopting cool roofs, protecting lakes and wetlands, and strengthening stormwater drainage says a Chennai based Environmental and Social Expert Dr. Abraham Lingan.
The United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) Emissions Gap Report 2026, The Point of Return, released on Oct. 21, warns that the window to limit the worst impacts of climate change is rapidly narrowing. For India and Tamil Nadu, the challenge is no longer just cutting carbon emissions, but protecting lives, livelihoods, public health and vulnerable communities from increasingly dangerous heatwaves and floods.
Dr. Abraham Lingan, says the world is on course to exceed the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C warming limit, but decisive climate action could still reduce the duration and severity of the overshoot, according to the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) Emissions Gap Report 2026, titled The Point of Return, released on October 21.
He said the report warns that global emissions must fall sharply to prevent more dangerous climate impacts. Compared with 2025 levels, emissions need to decline by 18 per cent by 2030, 45 per cent by 2035 and 69 per cent by 2040. However, current national climate pledges fall far short. Under existing policies, the world faces approximately 2.8°C of warming this century.
He said the report calls for faster renewable energy expansion, improved energy efficiency, reduced fossil-fuel dependence and substantial methane cuts. Carbon removal technologies may help but cannot replace direct emission reductions.
India faces the challenge of meeting growing energy, industrial and infrastructure needs while controlling emissions. The report projects that India's annual emissions in 2035 could be 1,254 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalent higher than in 2030, even if its new climate pledge is fully implemented.
Nevertheless, India's projected per-capita emissions of 3.6 tonnes in 2035 remain below China's 9.3 tonnes and Russia's 11.5 tonnes. Experts stress that India's development priorities must be respected while accelerating cleaner growth through renewable energy, electric mobility, public transport, energy-efficient buildings and cleaner industrial production.
Alongside emission reduction, Tamil Nadu must protect people from intensifying heatwaves and floods. A state assessment prepared by the Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company and ICLEI South Asia maps urban heat risks in Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli and Tirunelveli.
The guidelines propose city-specific cooling plans and a dedicated Urban Cooling Authority. Recommended measures include expanding tree cover, installing suitable cool roofs, protecting lakes and wetlands, improving drainage and creating shaded public spaces.
Special attention must be given to outdoor workers, older people, children, persons with disabilities and residents of poorly ventilated homes. Early warnings, drinking water, shaded rest areas and accessible cooling centres can reduce heat-related risks.
Climate action supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals on health, clean water, clean energy, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and climate action.
He said for India and Tamil Nadu, the priority is clear: cut emissions faster while investing in flood-safe infrastructure, cooler neighbourhoods and vulnerable communities. Ultimately, climate success must be measured not only by carbon reductions, but also by safer, healthier and more secure lives.