Countries move slowly to tackle climate crisis

To avoid the worst impacts of climate change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states that we need to keep the global temperature rise below 1.5C. The 2015 Paris Agreement is an international treaty on climate change signed by 197 countries committed to reducing their national carbon emissions in line with this target.

Keeping below 1.5C requires bold action from all countries, which is why many are now working towards ‘net zero’. Achieving net zero means not adding to the amount of GHGs in the atmosphere through a mixture of emissions reduction, energy efficiency and sequestration (a method of reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere). 

The IPCC warns that we need to achieve net zero by 2050 at the very latest if we’re to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, and crucially, to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. If we surpass the 1.5C threshold we become dangerously vulnerable to more extreme weather events, as well as the far-reaching consequences on wider factors such as food supplies and water availability. 

Most countries have set a 2050 target for net zero, while some nations are working towards an earlier date. For example, Maldives is aiming for net zero by 2030, Finland by 2035, Iceland by 2040 and Sweden by 2045. Others, however, have not committed to achieving net zero until later, such as China (2060), Bahrain (2060) and India (2070). The Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit keeps track of every country’s net zero pledge.

In order to support the transition to a zero-carbon economy, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has launched the ‘Race to Zero’ campaign to rally leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions, investors for a healthy, resilient, zero carbon recovery that prevents future threats, creates decent jobs, and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth.

It’s clear that nations will be unable to hit their net zero targets without the help of industry, which is why governments are increasingly incentivising low-carbon business practices.