Net zero by 2050

In June 2021, the International Energy Agency (IEA) published a report, titled Net Zero by 2050: A Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector, outlining a viable path to net zero carbon emissions worldwide by 2050. The report warns that the path to net zero is “narrow” and would require an unprecedented transformation of how energy is produced, transported and used globally.

The report lays out over 400 milestones that must be met to achieve net zero by 2050. These include:

• No new investment in fossil fuel supply projects as of June 2021.
• No further investment decision for unabated coal plants.
• Ban on the sale of new internal combustion engine passenger cars by 2035.
• Net zero emissions target for global electricity sector by 2040.
• Annual additions of solar PV to reach 630 GW by 2030, and those of wind power to reach 390 GW.
• Ban gas boilers from 2025.

Fatih Birol, the IEA Executive Director, said in Electrical Review: “Our Roadmap shows the priority actions that are needed today to ensure the opportunity of net-zero emissions by 2050 – narrow but still achievable – is not lost.

"The scale and speed of the efforts demanded by this critical and formidable goal – our best chance of tackling climate change and limiting global warming to 1.5 °C – make this perhaps the greatest challenge humankind has ever faced.”

This article originally appeared on the ECA website under the headline, 'IEA maps "narrow" path to net zero'. It was published on 3 June 2021.

--ECA

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