Sept. 26 (UPI) — The International Energy Agency stated on Tuesday that limiting global warming remains possible due to advancements in clean energy.
The Paris-based agency released its updated 2023 Net Zero Roadmap, which emphasizes the need for stronger international cooperation in order to limit global warming. It also highlighted the potential risks to the planet if governments do not increase climate efforts between now and 2030.
The streamlined climate strategy aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by promoting global collaboration on the temperature goals established in 2015 under the Paris Climate Agreement. The agreement involves hundreds of nations committed to limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels over the next decade and beyond.
“The goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees can still be achieved if the world comes together swiftly,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. “The good news is that we know what needs to be done, and how to do it.”
The roadmap, originally published in 2021 as a guidebook for industries and policymakers, was updated this year to reflect significant changes in the global climate response. While fossil fuel emissions have been declining, they still contribute to rising temperatures and more frequent weather disasters in many parts of the world.
The rapid adoption of clean energy technologies worldwide has brought the 1.5-degree Celsius goal within reach. However, many regions are still lacking in urgent climate improvements, according to the agency.
The report highlights substantial growth in the solar power and electric vehicle industries over the past two years. Both sectors are on track to achieve net-zero emissions globally by the middle of the century, and manufacturing in these industries has expanded as well.
Together, these industries are projected to contribute to one-third of emissions reductions by 2030, as per the agency’s renewed climate goals.
The release of the updated roadmap coincided with Nissan’s announcement that it intends to sell only electric vehicles in Europe by 2030. This commitment aligns with the goals of other nations, such as the United Kingdom’s plan to ban sales of new non-electric vehicles by 2035.
Clean energy innovation has also made transitioning to clean energy more affordable for consumers and businesses. Technological advancements drive approximately 35% of the emissions reductions required to achieve net-zero goals by 2050.
The report projects that renewable power technology will triple in size by 2030, while energy efficiency improvements could double. Additionally, the sales of electric vehicles are expected to surge, helping to reduce methane emissions by up to 75% by the end of the decade.
Birol urges lawmakers to take stronger climate actions based on the latest data and analysis. He emphasizes the need for global cooperation and continued investments in conservation efforts.
“Strong international cooperation is crucial for success. Governments must prioritize climate action and separate it from geopolitics, given the scale of the challenge at hand.”
The roadmap calls for the increase of clean energy capacity, aiming to reduce fossil fuel demand by 25% by the end of the decade and decrease emissions by 35%.
The report predicts that fossil fuel demand will drop by 80% by 2050, significantly impacting oil and gas projects worldwide.
