The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group III (WGIII) report shows how the world can meet its climate targets.
The IPCC report is clear that only a very small window is rapidly closing to keep global warming below 1.5˚C, a goal of the Paris Agreement.
Keeping 1.5C alive is possible – but requires a significant step-change in an effort to phase out fossil fuels, build an electrified global energy system, end deforestation and tackle methane emissions.
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There is now only a very small window to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and keep global warming below 1.5˚C. Governments must rapidly introduce policies and measures to reduce emissions by at least 45 per cent by the end of this decade.
Quotes on IPCC Working Group 3 report
Tom Evans, climate diplomacy policy advisor at E3G, said:
“Governments need to respond to this report in two ways. They must set higher climate targets for this decade to close the 1.5˚C emission gap. And we need much stronger implementation of climate policies to actually deliver those emissions cuts. The spotlight’s on the major emitting countries to take these two steps this year without delay. It’s not only what they promised to do at last year’s COP26 UN climate summit, but also what today’s report urgently calls for.”
Jonathan Held, a senior researcher on global energy policy at E3G, said:
“Now more than ever, the world needs to double down on decarbonising the energy sector, which is responsible for three quarters of global carbon emissions. Clear timelines and commitments for accelerating energy efficiency, clean energy deployment, and fossil fuel demand reduction are needed this year to improve global resilience and ensure the world stays within the global carbon budget.”
Taylor Dimsdale, director on risk and resilience at E3G, said:
“Removing carbon from the atmosphere will be necessary to achieve 1.5˚C but the latest IPCC report also shows that it won’t be a panacea. To avoid worst case scenarios and unmanageable impacts, the promise of negative emissions at some future point in time must not be used as an excuse to delay action on efficiency and the deployment of renewables now.”
Pieter de Pous, senior advisor on fossil fuel transitions at E3G said:
“Russia’s war against Ukraine is a watershed moment in the global energy transition. Ongoing efforts to replace coal power with RES by 2030 in the rich world need to be accelerated so gas is phased out by 2035. A generous offer must be made to less developed countries to help them get out of expensive fossil fuels too.”
Ignacio Arróniz Velasco, trade and climate researcher at E3G said:
“The new IPCC report raises key questions around the compatibility of the current trade and investment regimes with the climate transition. It contributes to debates around Carbon Border Adjustments, climate clubs, emissions standards for traded goods, support measures for renewable energies and fossil fuel subsidy reform. It crucially points at old investment agreements like the Energy Charter Treaty as major barriers against climate action. The European Union and other countries should consider withdrawing from these.”
Available for comment on IPCC Working Group 3 report
Tom Evans is available for commentary – please contact them directly:
m: +44 (0) 7931 318 327, tom.evans@e3g.org
Jonathan Held is available for commentary – please contact them directly:
jonathan.held@e3g.org
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- E3G is an independent climate change think tank with a global outlook. We work on the frontier of the climate landscape, tackling the barriers and advancing the solutions to a safe climate. Our goal is to translate climate politics, economics and policies into action. About – E3G
- For further enquiries email press@e3g.org or phone +44 (0)7783 787 863
