Keeping 1.5°C Alive: Closing the Gap in the 2020s
|
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
On 30 September 2021, the Energy Transitions Commission (ETC) set out the actions which nations and companies could take during the 2020s to deliver the Paris agreement and limit global warming to 1.5°C. The ETC is a global coalition of leaders from across the energy landscape committed to achieving net zero emissions by the middle of the century.
[edit] Six action items
Keeping 1.5°C Alive: Closing the Gap in the 2020s describes technologically feasible actions which could close the gap created by national decarbonisation pledges (known as Nationally Determined Contributions, or NDCs) that fall short of those needed to prevent global warming from exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. An additional 17-20 Gt of CO2 reductions and a 40% reduction in methane emissions would be needed to achieve that objective.
The six categories of action identified by the ETC are:
- Significant and rapid reductions in methane emissions.
- Halting deforestation and beginning reforestation.
- Decarbonising the power sector and accelerating the phaseout of coal.
- Accelerating the electrification of road transport.
- Accelerating supply decarbonisation in buildings, heavy industry, and heavy transport.
- Reinvigorating energy and resource efficiency.
The actions in the report might be achievable with minimal cost, and their adoption could spur further innovation and support green economic development. All six of the actions could be given impetus at COP26 via commitments from leading countries and companies without the need for comprehensive international agreement. However, two high priority actions – ending deforestation and reducing emissions from existing coal plants – will require support from climate finance flows from rich developed countries.
[edit] Related articles
- Climate Change Act.
- Decarbonise.
- Economic development and construction.
- Forests.
- Methane.
- Nationally Determined Contribution.
[edit] External resources
Featured articles and news
Retrofit 25 – What's Stopping Us?
Exhibition Opens at The Building Centre.
Types of work to existing buildings
A simple circular economy wiki breakdown with further links.
A threat to the creativity that makes London special.
How can digital twins boost profitability within construction?
The smart construction dashboard, as-built data and site changes forming an accurate digital twin.
Unlocking surplus public defence land and more to speed up the delivery of housing.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill
An outline of the bill with a mix of reactions on potential impacts from IHBC, CIEEM, CIC, ACE and EIC.
Farnborough College Unveils its Half-house for Sustainable Construction Training.
Spring Statement 2025 with reactions from industry
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Architects Academy at an insulation manufacturing facility
Programme of technical engagement for aspiring designers.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.