Jakarta – Scientists said although rate of growth of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has slowed in the past decade, “without immediate and deep emissions reductions across all sectors, limiting global warming to 1.5°C is beyond reach”, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) its latest report, released Monday (4/4).
“We are at a crossroads. The decisions we make now can secure a liveable future. We have the tools and know-how required to limit warming,” said IPCC Chair Hoesung Lee, in a written release. “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.”
To limit warming to around 1.5°C, GHG emissions need to peak in less than three years and be reduced by 43% by 2030, and be reduced by a quarter by 2030.
“It’s now or never, if we want to limit global warming to 1.5°C … Without immediate and deep emissions reductions across all sectors, it will be impossible,” said IPCC Working Group III Co-Chair Jim Skea.
On Monday, the IPCC released “The Summary for Policymakers of the IPCC Working Group III report, Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of climate change”. It is the third instalment of the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), which will be completed this year. Previously, in February, the IPCC released “The Summary for Policymakers of the IPCC Working Group II report, Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability”. The IPCC Working Group I report, Climate Change 2021: the Physical Science Basis was released in August 2021.
Extra efforts in the technology and investment sectors are needed
Limiting global temperatures from soaring into the worst scenarios, massive changes need to happen in the energy sector. This means “a substantial reduction in fossil fuel use, widespread electrification, improved energy efficiency, and use of alternative fuels (such as hydrogen)”, the IPCC said.
Reaching net-zero by the middle of this century is non-negotiable, only then global temperature will stabilise.
“Having the right policies, infrastructure and technology in place to enable changes to our lifestyles and behaviour can result in a 40-70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This offers significant untapped potential,” said IPCC Working Group III Co-Chair Priyadarshi Shukla. “The evidence also shows that these lifestyle changes can improve our health and wellbeing.”
The report include a new chapter on innovation, technology development and transfer and a cross-sector chapter on mitigation options that cut across sectors, including carbon dioxide removal techniques. It offers guidelines “how a well-established innovation system at a national level, guided by well-designed policies, can contribute to mitigation, adaptation and achieving the sustainable development goals, while avoiding undesired consequences.”
On the financial aspect, the report said that even with lower financial flows needed to lower levels needed by 2030, there is sufficient global capital and liquidity to close investment gaps, given there is strong commitment from governments and the international community.
“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 or below, compared to maintaining current policies,” said Shukla. (nsh)
