In the document "Global Environmental Outlook, Seventh Edition: The Future We Choose," it is emphasized that the deterioration of the environment already poses a threat to human health, economic stability, and the future of the planet. Nevertheless, the authors of the report are confident that with decisive actions, the worst scenario can be avoided.
UNEP insists on the need to transform five interconnected systems:
- financial and economic;
- energy;
- food;
- waste and materials management;
- environmental governance.
As noted by Maarten Kappelle, head of the science department at UNEP, "Reforming these five systems will require unprecedented efforts from governments and society, but it is vital for creating a more just and sustainable planet."
According to information from the UN News Service, the report suggests moving away from a narrow approach focused on gross domestic product (GDP) and taking into account the real value of natural resources by using natural capital accounting. This will allow countries to make decisions that are beneficial for both the economy and the environment, as GDP does not account for important aspects, including the long-term consequences of environmental degradation.
The authors of the study call for the redistribution of $1.5 trillion in annual subsidies that harm nature, particularly in the energy, mining, and agriculture sectors.
Circularity—reuse, recycling, and repair—should take center stage in future approaches. The need for investment in clean technologies, encouraging responsible behavior among citizens, and holding businesses accountable for the damage they cause to the environment is also emphasized.
The report highlights that over 80% of the world's energy is still produced from fossil sources, making the accelerated development of renewable sources and increased energy efficiency essential.
In the context of a "triple planetary crisis"—climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss—protecting and restoring ecosystems become priority tasks. The report calls for the expansion of protected areas, the implementation of nature-based solutions, and ensuring fair governance of common resources.
The document also examines the consequences of maintaining traditional development models. Greenhouse gas emissions have been increasing by 1.5% annually since 1990, reaching a record high in 2024, leading to rising global temperatures and exacerbating climate change. The estimated cost of addressing the impacts of climate-related extreme weather events over the past 20 years is approximately $143 billion per year.
It is estimated that between 20% and 40% of the world's land resources have been degraded, affecting more than 3 billion people. Approximately 1 million out of 8 million species are at risk of extinction.
Every year, 9 million deaths are linked to various forms of environmental pollution. Economic losses from air pollution in 2019 amounted to about $8.1 trillion, equivalent to 6.1% of global GDP.
It is mentioned that if humanity continues to develop the economy in the usual way, the state of the environment will sharply deteriorate. If measures are not taken, by the early 2030s, the rise in average global temperature is likely to exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels, and in the 2040s, it will exceed 2 degrees and continue to rise.
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