IPCC Report: We can halve emissions by 2030, but the time for action is now

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    We already have the tools and know-how required to limit warming and halve emissions by 2030, finds new IPCC report.

    GENEVA, Apr 4 In 20102019 average annual global greenhouse gas emissions were at their
    highest levels in human history, but the rate of growth has slowed. Without immediate and deep
    emissions reductions across all sectors, limiting global warming to 1.5°C is beyond reach. However,
    there is increasing evidence of climate action, said scientists in the latest Intergovernmental Panel
    on Climate Change (IPCC) report released today.

    Since 2010, there have been sustained decreases of up to 85% in the costs of solar and wind
    energy, and batteries. An increasing range of policies and laws have enhanced energy efficiency,
    reduced rates of deforestation and accelerated the deployment of renewable energy.


    “We are at a crossroads.
    The decisions we make now can secure a liveable future. We have the
    tools and knowhow required to limit warming, said IPCC Chair Hoesung Lee. I am encouraged by
    climate action being taken in many countries. There are policies, regulations and market
    instruments that are proving effective. If these are scaled up and applied more widely and
    equitably, they can support deep emissions reductions and stimulate innovation.”


    The Summary for Policymakers of the IPCC Working Group III report, Climate Change 2022:
    Mitigation of climate change was approved on April 4, 2022, by 195 member governments of the
    IPCC, through a virtual approval session that started on March 21. It is the third installment of the
    IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), which will be completed this year.

    We have options in all sectors to at least halve emissions by 2030 Limiting global warming will require major transitions in the energy sector. This will involve a substantial reduction in fossil fuel use, widespread electrification, improved energy efficiency, and the use of alternative fuels (such as hydrogen).

    Having the right policies, infrastructure, and technology in place to enable changes to our lifestyles
    and behavior can result in a 4070% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This offers
    significant untapped potential, said IPCC Working Group III CoChair Priyadarshi Shukla. “The
    evidence also shows that these lifestyle changes can improve our health and wellbeing.

    Cities and other urban areas also offer significant opportunities for emissions reductions. These can
    be achieved through lower energy consumption (such as by creating compact, walkable cities),
    electrification of transport in combination with lowemission energy sources, and enhanced carbon
    uptake and storage using nature. There are options for established, rapidly growing, and new cities.

    We see examples of zero energy or zerocarbon buildings in almost all climates, said IPCC
    Working Group III CoChair Jim Skea. “Action in this decade is critical to capture the mitigation
    potential of buildings.

    Reducing emissions in the industry will involve using materials more efficiently, reusing and recycling
    products, and minimizing waste. For basic materials, including steel, building materials, and
    chemicals, low to zerogreenhouse gas production processes are at their pilot to nearcommercial
    stage.


    This sector accounts for about a quarter of global emissions. Achieving net-zero will be challenging
    and will require new production processes, low and zero-emissions electricity, hydrogen, and, where
    necessary, carbon capture and storage.


    Agriculture, forestry, and other land use can provide largescale emissions reductions and also
    remove and store carbon dioxide at scale. However, land cannot compensate for delayed emissions
    reductions in other sectors. Response options can benefit biodiversity, help us adapt to climate
    change, and secure livelihoods, food and water, and wood supplies.

    The next few years are critical

    In the scenarios we assessed, limiting warming to around 1.5°C (2.7°F) requires global greenhouse
    gas emissions to peak before 2025 at the latest, and be reduced by 43% by 2030; at the same time,
    methane would also need to be reduced by about a third. Even if we do this, it is almost inevitable
    that we will temporarily exceed this temperature threshold but could return to below it by the end of
    the century.


    “It’s now or never if we want to limit global warming to 1.5°C (2.7°F), said Skea. “Without
    immediate and deep emissions reductions across all sectors, it will be impossible.

    The global temperature will stabilize when carbon dioxide emissions reach net zero. For 1.5°C
    (2.7°F), this means achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions globally in the early 2050s; for 2°C
    (3.6°F), it is in the early 2070s.


    This assessment shows that limiting warming to around 2°C (3.6°F) still requires global greenhouse
    gas emissions to peak before 2025 at the latest, and be reduced by a quarter by 2030.


    Closing investment gaps


    The report looks beyond technologies and demonstrates that while financial flows are a factor of
    three to six times lower than levels needed by 2030 to limit warming to below 2°C (3.6°F), there is
    sufficient global capital and liquidity to close investment gaps. However, it relies on clear signalling
    from governments and the international community, including a stronger alignment of public sector
    finance and policy.


    Without taking into account the economic benefits of reduced adaptation costs or avoided climate
    impacts, global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would be just a few percentage points lower in 2050
    if we take the actions necessary to limit warming to 2°C (3.6°F) or below, compared to maintaining
    current policies” said Shukla.


    Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals


    Accelerated and equitable climate action in mitigating and adapting to climate change impacts is
    critical to sustainable development. Some response options can absorb and store carbon and, at
    the same time, help communities limit the impacts associated with climate change. For example, in
    cities, networks of parks and open spaces, wetlands, and urban agriculture can reduce flood risk and
    reduce heatisland effects.


    Mitigation in the industry can reduce environmental impacts and increase employment and business
    opportunities. Electrification with renewables and shifts in public transport can enhance health,
    employment, and equity

     

    Climate change is the result of more than a century of unsustainable energy and land use, lifestyles
    , and patterns of consumption and production, said Skea. This report shows how taking action now
    can move us towards a fairer, more sustainable world.



    For more information, please contact:

    IPCC Press Office, Email:
    ipccmedia@wmo.int
    IPCC Working Group III:
    Sigourney Luz:
    s.luz@ipccwg3.ac.uk

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