IPCC report on greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation

The IPCC has just released the third part of the Sixth Assessment Report, Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change, the Working Group III contribution. Below are some of the key points from the report.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions continued to rise through 2019, according to the report. Average annual GHG emissions from 2010-2019 were higher than any other previous decade, but the rate of growth has slowed slightly compared to the 2000-2009 decade. There has been an increasing share of GHG emissions from urban areas.

Image courtesy the IPCC.

Global warming is likely to exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius (above pre-industrial levels) this century. Limiting warming to below 2 degrees Celsius would rely on the rapid acceleration of mitigation efforts after 2030.

Reducing GHG emissions across the full energy sector will require major transitions and a substantial reduction in overall fossil fuel use. Countries will need to increase their dependence on low-emission energy sources and switch to alternative energy carriers.

Eastern Asia still leading the way in terms of net global GHG emissions. Image courtesy of the IPCC.

Unit costs of several low emission technologies have fallen continuously since 2010. However, innovation has still lagged in developing countries.

The costs of solar and battery technologies have fallen an average of 85 percent since 2010. Wind technology costs have dropped about 55 percent during the same period.

The report states that achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions from the industry sector will be challenging but still possible. However, current climate policies and pledges are still insufficient if followed through 2030.