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
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
New and updated CLC building safety guidance.
New UK National Buildings Database.
Building Safety Wiki Interviews
Chief executive of the British Woodworking Federation.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief explanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.