The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change, released its comprehensive report on the sixth assessment cycle on March 20 local time after the 58th plenary session came to an end in Interlaken, Switzerland.
The report focuses on the loss and damage caused by climate change and its continuing impacts into the future, with the most vulnerable people and ecosystems bearing the brunt.
- Climate Crisis
Over the past century, the burning of fossil fuels and unequal and unsustainable energy and land use have contributed to global warming, which is now 1.1 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the report said. This has led to an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, putting nature and populations at increased risk in every region of the globe.
Food and water insecurity will increase as hazards escalate rapidly as warming intensifies, and these risks become more difficult to manage when combined with other adverse events, such as pandemics or conflict.
As Aditi Mukherji, one of the report’s authors, emphasized: “Climate justice is critical because the people who contribute least to climate change are the ones who suffer the most”. Almost half of the world’s population lives in areas highly vulnerable to climate change. Over the past decade, floods, droughts and storms have killed 15 times more people in highly vulnerable areas than elsewhere.
- Clear Path Ahead
The report states that limiting the increase in global temperatures to well below 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels will require deep, rapid and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors. Greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced now if emissions are to be nearly halved by 2030.
In this regard, the IPCC proposes that the solution lies in climate-resilient development. This involves combining climate change adaptation measures with actions to reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions, thereby amplifying the benefits. This includes using clean energy and low-carbon electrification, promoting zero-carbon and low-carbon transport, improving air quality, and more. The economic benefits to people’s health from improving air quality alone are roughly equal to, and possibly even greater than, the costs of reducing or avoiding emissions.
These choices need to be rooted in different values, worldviews and knowledge, and to advance locally appropriate, socially acceptable solutions. For example, prioritizing measures to reduce climate risk may be most effective for low-income or marginalized groups, including those living in informal settlements.
- Key Government Support
The report emphasizes that increasing funding for climate investment is an important condition for achieving global climate goals. By leveraging public funds and sending clear signals to investors, governments can reduce barriers to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
At the same time, there are some policy measures that have been tested and proven, and if scaled up and applied widely, can achieve deep emission reductions and climate resilience. Political commitment, coherent policies, international cooperation, ecosystem management and inclusive governance are all important for effective and equitable climate action.
The report also finds that changes needed in the food, electricity, transport, industry, construction and land management sectors are not only critical to reducing emissions, but will also help people transition to low-carbon lifestyles, improve health and promote well-being.
Hoesung Lee, chairman of the IPCC, also said that transformational changes require mutual trust among all parties and joint efforts of all parties, putting risk reduction first, and sharing benefits and burdens fairly. “This comprehensive report highlights the urgent need for more ambitious action. A liveable future is still possible if we act now.”
- New Net Zero Plan
UN Secretary-General Guterres fully affirmed the report, calling it “a guide to dismantling the climate time bomb”. He also called for “our world needs a full range of climate action, everywhere and on all issues at the same time”.
To this end, Guterres proposed the “Climate Solidarity Compact” to the G20, requiring all major emitters to make additional efforts to reduce emissions, while rich countries must mobilize financial and technical resources to support emerging economies in order to maintain the 1.5 degrees Celsius. Goals work together.
Guterres also announced a plan to intensify efforts to achieve a Climate Solidarity Compact through an all-out Accelerated Agenda. Under the plan, leaders of developed countries must commit to net zero as close to 2040 as possible, and leaders of emerging economies must commit to net zero as close to 2050 as possible and halt investment in new oil and gas. All permits and funding, and halting additions to existing oil and gas reserves.
It is worth noting that the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference will be held in Dubai from November 30 to December 12 this year. At that time, world leaders will conduct the first global stocktake of the Paris Agreement and start the process of writing the next round of national climate plans, or Nationally Determined Contributions.
Looking ahead to the meeting, Guterres said he hoped that all G20 leaders would make ambitious new economy-wide nationally determined contributions, including all greenhouse gas commitments, and show that they are committed to Absolute emission reduction targets for 2035 and 2040.
- What PolexTech Can Help in Climate Business?
As a renewable source of power, solar energy has an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change, which is critical to protecting humans, wildlife, and ecosystems. Solar energy can also improve air quality and reduce water use from energy production.
What are the opportunities in Europe?
The record-breaking heat wave that swept across Europe in 2022 will become the “average” summer by 2035, based on analysis by the UK’s Met Office Hadley Centre and CCAG. Therefore, summer cooling will be the “average” demand in future decades.
Household energy bills increased by 54% in April 2022 and by 80% in October. The new Energy Price Guarantee limited the October increase to 27%, with a further increase of 20% in April 2023, based on the report by UK Parliament. Therefore, reducing electricity bills while using cooling appliances will be the preferred demand.
“Customers are increasingly aware of the environmental and societal impact of their purchasing choices, providing us with tangible opportunities to build on our strong sustainability credentials.” As shown in Kingfisher’s “Responsible Business”.
What PolexTech can help?
Since 2010, PolexTech has been contributing to solar products (solar water pumps, solar panels) with design, development and manufacturing. PolexTech solar products are qualified with CE and ISO9001:2015 certificates.
If you are a brander, wholesaler, distributor, or retailer and want to know more about solar products, welcome to comment here or contact me at felina@polextech.com to discuss more. And if you have any good ideas for clean energy, please feel free to contact me at any time too. Thank you for your valuable time, wish you a nice day.
