Paris targets within reach by aligning, broadening and strengthening net-zero pledges

Many countries have recently announced the ambition to reach net-zero emissions targets. In their new research, Dr. Ioannis Dafnomilis, Prof. Michel den Elzen, and Prof. Detlef van Vuuren explore the climate and energy transition impacts of the following strategies using the IMAGE integrated assessment model: 1) implementing the pledged 2030 targets and net-zero targets, 2) aligning the 2030 emission targets with the net-zero targets, 3) broadening the coalition of net-zero countries, and 4) strengthening the net-zero pledges by bringing them forward in time. The results illustrate that each step could accelerate the low-carbon transition by building on existing elements in international climate policy. The study shows that the gap between a continuation of current emission trends and a Paris-aligned 1.5 °C target can be reduced by about 90% by 2100. This provides a pathway to bring the Paris Agreement climate goals within reach.

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