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‘We can halve emissions by 2030’ – guarded optimism from the IPCC
Worldwide Climate change We can halve emissions, but the time for action is now, says the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The evidence is clear: in 2010-2019 average annual global greenhouse gas emissions were at their highest levels in human history, but the rate of growth has slowed. Without immediate and deep emissions reductions across all sectors, limiting global warming to 1.5°C is beyond reach. However, there is increasing evidence of climate action, says the latest IPPC report, released on 5 April. ‘Summary for Policymakers’ from IPCC Working Group III report, ‘Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of climate change’ is the third instalment of the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), which will be completed this year.
Since 2010, it says, there have been sustained decreases of up to 85% in the costs of solar and wind energy, and batteries. An increasing range of policies and laws have enhanced energy efficiency, reduced rates of deforestation and accelerated the deployment of renewable energy. “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. “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.”
Limiting global warming will require major transitions in the energy sector, says the IPPC. This will involve a substantial reduction in fossil fuel use, widespread electrification, improved energy efficiency, and use of
alternative fuels such as hydrogen. “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” said IPCC Working Group III co-chair Priyadarshi Shukla. Urban areas also offer significant opportunities for emissions reductions. These can be achieved through lower energy consumption (such as by creating compact, walkable cities), electrification of transport in combination with low-emission energy sources, and enhanced carbon uptake and storage. There are options in established, rapidly growing cities and in new cities. “We see examples of zero energy or zero-carbon buildings in almost all climates,” said IPCC Working Group III co-chair Jim Skea. “Action in this decade is critical to capture the mitigation potential of buildings.” Reducing emissions in industry will involve using materials more efficiently, re-using and recycling products and minimising waste. For basic materials, including steel, building materials and chemicals, low- to zero- greenhouse gas production processes are at their pilot to near-commercial stage. This sector accounts for about a quarter of global emissions. Achieving net zero will be challenging and will require new production processes with low and zero emissions. The next few years are critical, says IPCC. In the scenarios assessed, limiting warming to around 1.5°C (2.7°F) requires global greenhouse gas emissions to peak before 2025 at the latest, and be reduced by 43% by 2030; at the same time, methane would also need to be reduced by about a third. Even if we do this, it is almost inevitable that we will temporarily exceed this temperature threshold but could return to below it by the
end of the century.
“It’s now or never, if we want to limit global warming to 1.5°C (2.7°F),” said Skea. “Without immediate and deep emissions reductions across all sectors, it will be impossible.” The global temperature will stabilise when carbon dioxide emissions reach net zero. For 1.5°C, this means achieving net zero carbon dioxide emissions globally in the early 2050s; for 2°C, it is in the early 2070s. This assessment shows that limiting warming to around 2°C (3.6°F) still requires global greenhouse gas emissions to peak before 2025 at the latest, and be reduced by a quarter by 2030. The report demonstrates that while financial flows are a factor of three to six times lower than levels needed by 2030 to limit warming to below 2°C (3.6°F), there is sufficient global capital and liquidity to close investment gaps. However, it relies on clear signalling from governments and the international community, including a stronger alignment of public sector finance and policy.
Accelerated action in mitigating and adapting to climate change impacts is critical to sustainable development. Some response options can absorb and store carbon and, at the same time, help communities limit the impacts associated with climate change. Mitigation in industry can reduce environmental impacts and increase employment and business opportunities. Electrification with renewables and shifts in public transport can enhance health, employment, and equity.
“Climate change is the result of more than a century of unsustainable energy and land use, lifestyles and patterns of consumption and production,” said Skea. “This report shows how taking action now can move us towards a fairer, more sustainable world.”
European grid synchronised with Ukraine and Moldova Europe T & D
On 18 March the EU commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson issued the following statement concerning synchronisation of the continental European electricity grid with the Ukraine and Moldova grids.
“The electricity grids of Ukraine and Moldova have been successfully synchronised with the continental European grid. This will help Ukraine to keep its electricity system stable, homes warm and lights on during these dark times. It is also a historic milestone
6 | April 2022 |
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for the EU-Ukraine relationship – in this area, Ukraine is now part of Europe. “This project has shown extraordinary co-operation and determination from everyone involved. I want to thank the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO E) for doing a year’s work in two weeks to make this happen. I want to thank the French presidency of the Council and Member States for their support to this project that is not without risks. And I want to thank our
Ukrainian partners – Minister Galushchenko and Ukrenergo in particular – for their heroic efforts in keeping the Ukrainian energy systems working in the middle of a terrible war.
“The EU will continue to support Ukraine in the energy sector, by ensuring the reverse flows of gas to the country and the delivery of energy supplies that are badly needed. We are also looking forward to the time when we can continue our excellent co-operation on the green transition and market reforms.”
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