Päästöaukot

Päästöaukot, often translated as "emission gaps," refers to the discrepancy between projected greenhouse gas emissions reductions and the actual emissions reductions achieved by countries based on their stated climate policies. It highlights the difference between what countries *say* they will do to combat climate change and what they are *actually* doing. These gaps are a significant concern in international climate negotiations, as they indicate that current efforts are insufficient to meet global climate targets, such as limiting global warming to 1.5 or 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

The concept of päästöaukot is central to reports by organizations like the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which annually publish "Emission Gap Reports." These reports analyze national climate pledges, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, and compare them to the emissions pathways required to achieve the agreed-upon temperature goals. The findings consistently show that the sum of national pledges, even when fully implemented, falls short of the necessary reductions. This means that without stronger commitments and more ambitious policies, the world is on track for a significantly warmer future than desired. Addressing these emission gaps requires countries to enhance their climate targets and implement more effective mitigation measures across all sectors of their economies.