Project Solar's Planet Health Check Report

Climate action took center stage at COP27, which concluded in November. The conference highlighted the urgent need to tackle rising global temperatures and the devastating impacts of climate change, including the catastrophic floods in Pakistan and record-breaking heatwaves across Europe. In response, Project Solar has published a comprehensive report analyzing the current state of our planet and outlining the critical steps still needed to combat climate change effectively.

You can access our full Planet Health Check report here.

At COP27, discussions focused on key issues like the establishment of a global carbon market and funding for loss and damage caused by climate-related disasters. However, many of the unresolved challenges from COP26—such as reducing fossil fuel dependence and limiting global temperature rise—were not adequately addressed. This lack of progress raises concerns about the effectiveness of international climate agreements so far.

Scientists have consistently emphasized that global temperatures should not rise more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, as exceeding this threshold could lead to irreversible environmental damage. To achieve this goal, global emissions must be cut by 44% within the next decade. Yet, prior to COP27, only 1% reduction was planned—far below what is necessary. This discrepancy begs the question: are we doing enough as individuals and nations to reduce our carbon footprint?

To better understand public engagement with climate action, we conducted a survey among UK residents. The results revealed that 55% of households are actively taking steps to lower their emissions. These actions range from recycling and waste reduction to adopting renewable energy sources like solar panels. Notably, Birmingham had the highest percentage of respondents (73%) who reported making efforts to reduce their environmental impact.

Despite these efforts, only 7.5% of those surveyed believed that no further action was needed to improve environmental awareness in the UK. This suggests that there is a strong public desire for more sustainable practices and greater accountability at all levels of society.

Meanwhile, air quality remains a pressing issue. According to the World Health Organization, only three territories worldwide meet safe air quality standards. In the UK, air pollution levels reached 1.8 times the recommended limit in 2021. Deforestation, with an estimated 15 billion trees lost annually, is likely contributing to this decline in air quality.

Still, there are signs of hope. The adoption of electric vehicles is on the rise, with 6.6 million sold globally in 2021. This trend is expected to continue, with even more EVs hitting the roads by the end of 2022. Electric vehicles produce significantly fewer emissions compared to traditional gasoline-powered cars, making them a promising solution in the fight against climate change.

For a deeper understanding of the current climate situation and global efforts to address it, be sure to read our full Planet Health Check report here.