International climate policy

While emissions have grown and climate targets become more ambitious over the last decade, the investments needed to limit global warming to below 1.5-2°C have not increased, thanks to faster-than-expected reduction in costs of clean technologies such as solar, wind and battery storage. This analysis was published in Nature Climate Change. 

How are net zero emissions defined? It matters. It is the difference between either halting or continuing global warming, writes senior researcher Glen Peters in this blog about a new study published in Nature. 

Global fossil co₂ emissions are expected to grow 0.8% in 2024, despite predictions of peak emissions. The positive progress in many countries and clean technologies is offset by persistent fossil fuel use. 

Most countries have hard-to-abate “Achilles’ heel” sectors for domestic environmental action; in Latin America, these are large export-oriented primary industries like fossil-fuel extraction, mining, and industrial agriculture.

Global fossil co₂ emissions are expected to grow 1.1% in 2023 despite record progress in clean energy. A renewed focus on limiting the use of coal, oil, and gas is needed. 

India must reduce its emissions and meet sustainable development goals at the same time. How can the shift to renewable energy be a more just transition in the world’s most populous country?

Global fossil co₂ emissions are expected to grow 1.0% in 2022 as the COVID recovery continues amidst turmoil in energy markets. Growth in oil use, particularly aviation, and coal use are behind most of the increase in 2022. 

During the recent Glasgow Climate Conference (COP26) there was a lot of focus on the climate outcomes of new climate policy pledges. A new analysis shows that these outcomes are more uncertain then often assumed.

Global co₂ emissions declined sharply in 2020, but with a rebound expected in 2021 efforts must be intensified if the world is to reach the targets of the Paris Climate Agreement and keep global warming well below 2°C, a new study shows.

COMMENTARY: A new paper suggests a rather significant upward revision of the carbon budget for 1.5°C. This is a potential game changer, but it is too early to reformulate mitigation plans.