The article was first appeared in India Today on April 5, 2022.
The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has issued a critical warning that the opportunity to prevent a catastrophic 1.5 degrees Celsius rise in global temperatures is rapidly closing. Highlighting that global greenhouse gas emissions reached unprecedented levels between 2010 and 2019, the panel noted a slowing growth rate in emissions but emphasized the urgent need for immediate action. The recently released report by Working Group III focuses on mitigating climate change through substantial emissions reductions across all sectors, stressing that decisions made now will determine the planet’s future livability.
To limit global warming to 1.5°C, global greenhouse gas emissions must peak by 2025 at the latest and reduce by 43% by 2030. Achieving this goal will require transformative changes in energy systems, including significant reductions in fossil fuel use, widespread adoption of electrification, improved energy efficiency, and increased utilization of alternative fuels. Cities offer considerable potential for emission reductions through urban redesign, such as creating walkable spaces, adopting low-emission energy sources for transportation, and enhancing natural carbon storage solutions.
The industrial sector, responsible for about a quarter of global emissions, presents unique challenges. Reducing emissions here necessitates efficient material use, extensive recycling, and waste minimization. Similarly, agriculture, forestry, and land use sectors must contribute through large-scale carbon removal and storage while adopting sustainable practices. The report also underlines the importance of behavior change to address demand-side consumption patterns.
Immediate, deep, and sustained emissions reductions across all sectors are critical to stabilizing global temperatures. The panel reiterated that achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions is essential to halting temperature rises. The remaining carbon budget permits only 500 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions from 2020 onwards, underscoring the urgent need for accelerated action.
The UN Environment Programme highlighted that existing knowledge and technology provide pathways to achieve these reductions. This includes transitioning from fossil fuels to renewables, restoring natural ecosystems, promoting green urban spaces, and fostering behavioral shifts. Unlike the pandemic’s adverse impacts, these measures can enhance quality of life while addressing the climate crisis.
As IPCC Working Group III Co-Chair Jim Skea stated, “It’s now or never.” Without decisive and immediate efforts, limiting global warming to 1.5°C will become unattainable, threatening irreversible consequences for the planet.
Read more: India Today
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