IPCC report-Global emissions can be reduced by 50% with major energy Sector transitions.

April 8, 2022

Why in news?

In accordance with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group III report released recently , titled ‘Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of climate change, global emissions can be halved by 2030 with major transitions in the energy sector.
There is a need for immediate mitigation actions to limit global warming to 1.5°C (2.7°F) otherwise it will be beyond reach.
The report released worldwide was approved 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 in 2022.

Highlights from Report:

The report cautioned that limiting warming to around 1.5°C requires global greenhouse gas emissions to peak before 2025 at the latest, and be reduced by 43% by 2030. Methane also needs to be reduced by about a third.
The global temperature will stabilize when carbon dioxide emissions reach net zero.
For 1.5°C (2.7°F) net zero carbon dioxide emissions to be achieved globally in the early 2050s;
For 2°C (3.6°F), it is to be achieved in the early 2070s.
In 2010-2019, the average annual global greenhouse gas emissions were at their highest levels in human history.
The steps to limit global warming include substantial reduction in fossil fuel use, widespread electrification, improved energy efficiency, and use of alternative fuels (such as hydrogen).
The implementation of effective policies, regulations, market instruments, infrastructure and technology can reduce 40-70% greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and also improve health and well-being.

About IPCC

IPCC is the United Nations (UN) body for assessing the science related to climate change.
It is headquartered at Geneva, Switzerland.
It was established by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1988. It has three working groups:
- Working Group I– Deals with the physical science basis of climate change; Working Group II- Deals with impacts, adaptation and vulnerability;
- Working Group II– Deals with the mitigation of climate change.
- Working Group III report provides an updated global assessment of climate change mitigation progress and pledges, and examines the sources of global emissions.
  - AR6 Working Group III includes 278 authors from 65 countries.