Fossil fuel production on track for double the safe climate limit
The world’s nations are on track to produce more than twice as much
coal, oil and gas as can be burned in 2030 while restricting rise in the
global temperature to 1.5C, analysis shows.
coal, oil and gas as can be burned in 2030 while restricting rise in the
global temperature to 1.5C, analysis shows.
The report is the first to compare countries’ stated plans for fossil fuel extraction with the goals of the Paris climate agreement,
which is to keep global heating well below 2C above pre-industrial
levels, and to aim for 1.5C. It exposes a huge gap, with fossil fuel
production in 2030 heading for 50% more than is consistent with 2C, and
120% more than that for 1.5C.
Scientists have warned that even the difference between 1.5C and 2C of heating will expose hundreds of millions of people to significantly higher risks of extreme heatwaves, drought, floods and poverty.