This is the first yearly report on the status of the World Climate Order as required by the Global Agreement on Climate Change (GACC), which was ratified by all nations in 2025.

The baseline report prepared by the Climate Order Committee was submitted to the Global Chapter at The Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ), also known as the World Court, on December 1, 2050.

The international group of 50 experts (and their supporting teams of researchers), agreed upon by all nations, have carried out monitoring of every country’s performance to date and rated their achievements against agreed and stipulated targets for greenhouse gas emission reductions. The targets were determined on the basis of each country’s emissions since the Kyoto Protocol’s monitoring program began in 1997.

In summary, the baseline report concluded:

1) Following the mixed success of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), measures to effectively reduce greenhouse gas emission in the years following the 1997 Kyoto Protocol and subsequent agreements, including the 2015 Paris Agreement, the UNFCCC was disbanded and a new system of greenhouse gas management was established — the World Climate Order — under which all nations agreed to comply with targets set by the Climate Order Committee and the Global Agreement on Climate Change (GACC). This radical action followed revolt from citizens all around the world and which necessitated leaders of all nations to agree to act decisively.

2) The set greenhouse gas abatement targets are binding.

3) Under the GACC, countries that do not comply with their set targets can be prosecuted by the Climate Order Committee through the ICJ and fined harsh penalties. These penalties are deliberately set at levels that are higher than it would cost for the country to comply.

4) Collected funds from these penalties are then used to bring the particular country into compliance through the most cost-effective measures.

5) An additional tax is imposed by the World Climate Order on all fossil fuels manufactured and distributed. Taxes collected are added to the penalties collected to assist developing countries to meet their set targets. These taxes have effectively made fossil fuels a luxury item. As a result, the use of fossil fuels is now at a historic low, such that their exploration, manufacture and use are expected to continue to diminish at an increasing rate. Until an alternative fuel such as hydrogen is found, air travel is currently a highly-taxed and expensive option for most people.

6) These punitive measures have resulted in unprecedented global action to significantly reduce carbon emissions. Since 2025, reductions in global carbon emissions have averaged 10% per year and have overtaken the effect of population increases. Carbon reductions at these levels are expected to bring global levels to the desired ones within the next decade. The achievements just in the last two decades have included:

Health outcomes

There has been a shift in the assessment of climate change impacts more toward the social and health impact to communities of more frequent and severe occurrences of extreme weather conditions, but also in the impacts of air pollution resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels.

Transport

More than 60% of all road vehicles (private and commercial) sold were plug-in electric and, with all the solar power being generated in so many households and factories, can recharge their fifth-generation batteries in just 20 minutes using renewable energy. All countries have now implemented plans for public transport to be a priority over the construction of highways, which previously encouraged more cars on the road. In addition, 80% of all public transit buses are now either hydrogen or electric (battery) powered.

Renewable energy sources

All new centralized power generation is now sourced from renewable energy, including large and small hydro-electricity, pumped hydro-electricity, PV solar power, concentrated solar power, wind, geothermal — all supported by the latest technology battery and molten salt storage, tidal energy and nuclear power. No new coal-fired generation plants have been constructed since 2030.

Buildings, Urban Design and Active Transport

Cities are now designed to minimize car transport requirements and to encourage cycling and walking. Many cities now provide free public transport.

All new commercial buildings since 2030 are constructed using recycled materials, and all glass windows are solar power collectors. All roofs in most countries have mandatory solar power PV and hot water systems

All new private dwellings constructed in the past two decades have been required to have a combination of high-rating insulation, double or triple glazing, solar power with fifth-generation battery storage, solar roof tiles, solar windows, efficient lighting and reverse-cycle air conditioning.

Passive building design measures, intelligent houses and commercial properties have reduced consumption of energy by 25%, compared with early this century.

Work and Lifestyle Changes

A huge impact on decoupling consumption and economic prosperity has been the implementation of a number of changes in work and lifestyle balance. The general concept that has been adopted in various different forms around the world relies on people working fewer hours — therefore, earning but also spending less. This has resulted in significant reductions in the consumption of goods and services. Other benefits of this have been improved health outcomes and better life balance.

The tax base for most countries remained the same to provide the required high levels of public services and infrastructure. But while tax rates rose for all salary earners, the expenditure decreases meant that disposable income requirements of citizens were also less. As a result, the quality of life in most countries either remained the same or improved.

Agriculture

There have been dramatic changes to farming practices and the consumption of food around the world. The consumption of meat and other high-protein and high-carbon foods, including imported goods, is in decline due to the strict targets put on carbon emissions. Generally, meat prices have increased in all countries, with the consequent reduction of meat consumption and improvement in health, in addition to the benefits of active transport.

Industrial Activity

Manufacturing, utilities and commercial operations have dramatically reduced their carbon emissions due to energy efficiency, renewable energy usage and material recycling. Since 2030, all major appliance, vehicle and electronic gadget manufacturers have been required to take back their used goods for reuse and recycling. This has encouraged the rethinking and redesigning all such items.

The past few decades have been challenging and there have been encouraging achievements in decarbonizing the world through the initiatives of the World Climate Order.  But according to the chair of the World Climate Order Committee, there is much more to be done. The next committee report will be issued in 2052.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Fair Observer’s editorial policy.