Greenhouse Gas Emissions The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a new report today that emphasizes the importance of rapid and profound reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions if the world is to avoid the worst climate impacts. According to the report, worldwide GHG emissions increased over the last decade, rising by nearly 12% from 2010 levels, decreasing our window for keeping global warming to 1.5°C.
To avoid exceeding this target, the world currently has only three years to reach a peak in emissions. However, the research also identifies certain signals of progress that must be accelerated. The annual rate of emissions growth declined from an average of 2.1% between 2000 and 2009 to 1.3% between 2010 and 2019 and GHG emissions have already peaked and started to decline in some countries.
The report also shows that cost-effective solutions are more available than ever and ready to be implemented, including switching to clean energy, halting deforestation and investing in carbon removal.
