‘It’s now or never’: IPCC warns emissions must start to decline by 2025
The IndependentSign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Scientists working for the world’s leading authority on climate change have warned that less than three years remain to bring global emissions into decline and avert a “catastrophic” temperature rise. “But the truly dangerous radicals are the countries that are increasing production of fossil fuels.” Mr Guterres called the latest IPCC report “a litany of broken climate promises”. The report found that limiting Earth’s average temperature rise to the ambitious 1.5C agreed by nations under the Paris Agreement would require “immediate and deep” emissions cuts across every sector of society. Methane needs to be reduced by around one-third by 2030 Even if these cuts are achieved, the IPCC notes, “it is almost inevitable” that the 1.5C threshold will be temporarily exceeded, but temperatures could return to below it by the end of the century Limiting global warming will require a “substantial reduction” in fossil fuel use, as well as widespread electrification, improved energy efficiency, and the use of alternative fuels such as hydrogen The importance of “sustainable healthy diets” was underlined, with an emphasis on plant-based foods, which have a low environmental impact and are beneficial to health Agriculture and forestry can provide vast emissions reductions, and can remove and store carbon.