Latest

All Latest
ZERO IN on new generation of climate models, COVID-19 and the Paris Agreement

ZERO IN on new generation of climate models, COVID-19 and the Paris Agreement

The second ZERO IN report, released annually by the EU Horizon 2020 project CONSTRAIN, focuses on the new CMIP6 climate models and the science behind the Paris Agreement Long-Term Temperature Goal, highlighting how improved understanding in both areas can help us to better plan for what lies ahead. In particular, it finds that while the effect of COVID-19 on climate has so far been negligible, a green recovery could profoundly alter the trajectory of climate change over the next two decades. The project's findings also reaffirm the importance of stringent near-term emission reductions and reaching net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 to get the world on a 1.5°C pathway. The report also provides an update on the remaining global carbon budget.
21 December 2020
EU 2030 emissions reduction target must be brought into line with the Paris Agreement 1.5°C limit

EU 2030 emissions reduction target must be brought into line with the Paris Agreement 1.5°C limit

The European Union Council is meeting 10-11 December to revise its 2030 domestic emissions reduction target. The Council has an unprecedented opportunity to cement the EU's global leadership on climate change by adopting a target that is fully consistent with the Paris Agreement 1.5°C limit. Our new briefing shows the domestic emission reductions needed by 2030 for the EU27 and three of its key member states – France, Germany and Poland - to be in line with that limit.
09 December 2020

Briefings

More Briefings

Coal Phase Out

Coal is the most carbon intensive fossil fuel and phasing it out is a key step to achieve the emissions reductions needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C, as enshrined in the Paris Agreement. Most emissions from coal are in the electricity sector and, as we already have the technologies that can replace coal, phase out is a relatively cheap and easy option to reduce emissions. Our research shows coal needs to be phased out globally by 2040 to meet the commitments made in Paris.

1.5°C - key facts

Since 2009 over a hundred Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries and many others have been calling for limiting global temperature rise to below 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Placing the 1.5°C limit alongside the legally binding goal to hold global temperatures “well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels” in the Paris Agreement was a major victory for vulnerable countries. This page is an information pool for material around the 1.5°C temperature limit.

Featuring

Climate Analytics 2019 Annual Report

Our Annual Report 2019 looks back at how our work reflected and fed into the global priorities in areas of advancing climate science to support climate action.

Resource page

Loss and Damage

Loss and Damage refers to the impacts of climate change that can no longer be avoided through adaptation or mitigation. It is one of the key issues for vulnerable countries, who have contributed the least to climate change.

They call on the developed world to provide support to cope with Loss and Damage, which otherwise threatens their economies, cultures and the lives of their people.

This page provides background material and key resources, including scientific studies and briefing material and blogs with updates on the policy process under the UNFCCC and under the IPCC.

Blog

All Blog Entries

In it for the long haul: Lessons in developing mid-century decarbonisation strategies

The COVID-19 stimulus and recovery plans that governments put forward at this critical juncture present a unique opportunity to embed ambitious climate action into national sustainable development visions. As the UN High Representative for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Ms. Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu, recently asserted, the climate crisis and responses to the pandemic must go hand-in-hand. While “short term now dominates action… we cannot allow the pandemic to divert our efforts on climate action."  
29 October 2020

Media coverage

All Media coverage
Climate change: Temperature analysis shows UN goals 'within reach'

Climate change: Temperature analysis shows UN goals 'within reach'BBC

A new analysis, seen by the BBC, suggests the goals of the UN Paris climate agreement are getting "within reach." The Climate Action Tracker group looked at new climate promises from China and other nations, along with the carbon plans of US President-elect Joe Biden. These commitments would mean the rise in world temperatures could be held to 2.1C by the end of this century. Previous estimates indicated up to 3C of heating, with disastrous impacts.

01 December 2020

Publications

All Publications

Decarbonisation pathways for the EU power sectorReports

The European power sector is at the forefront of decarbonisation of the EU’s economy. Between 1990 and 2019 greenhouse gas emissions from the sector decreased by 44%, with a significant acceleration even before the COVID-19-induced economic crisis. This report explores the current context and opportunities for emission reduction in the sector.  
2020, December
 

Overcoming gender inequality for climate resilient developmentPeer reviewed

Gender inequalities are reflected in differential vulnerability, and exposure to the hazards posed by climate change and addressing them is key to increase the adaptive capacities of societies. This study highlights the importance of incorporating gender in scenarios assessing future climate impacts and underscores the relevance of addressing gender inequalities in policies aiming to foster climate resilient development.  
2020, December