IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C - October 8, 2018

On October 8, 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a seminal report titled “Global Warming of 1.5°C,” which underscored the urgent need for ambitious climate action to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This report was prepared in response to an invitation by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) following the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015.

Key Findings of the Report

• Temperature Increase: The report examined the impacts of a 1.5°C versus a 2°C increase in global temperatures, highlighting that a half-degree difference could significantly intensify global climatic events and their associated impacts.

• Impact on Ecosystems: Forecasts indicated that limiting warming to 1.5°C would reduce risks to marine biodiversity, ecosystems, and human communities that depend on them compared to a 2°C increase. For instance, coral reefs could decline by 70-90% with a 1.5°C increase, whereas virtually all coral reefs would be lost with a 2°C rise.

• Extreme Weather Events: The report noted that curbing temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels would likely result in fewer severe weather events compared to a 2°C increase, including reduced frequency and intensity of heatwaves, heavy precipitation events, and droughts.

Pathways to 1.5°C

• Carbon Emissions Reduction: Achieving the 1.5°C target requires “rapid and far-reaching” transitions in energy, land, urban infrastructure, and industrial systems. By 2030, global net human-caused emissions of carbon dioxide would need to decline by about 45% from 2010 levels.

• Renewables and Energy Efficiency: The report emphasized an increase in the use of renewable energy, improvement in energy efficiency, and adoption of clean technology across sectors.

Broader Implications

• Socio-Economic Dimensions: The transformations needed to achieve the 1.5°C target involve socio-economic changes, including interventions in all facets of human societies and economies, calling for international collaborative efforts.

• Policy Recommendations: The IPCC suggested robust policy measures, international cooperation, technological advancement, and public involvement to ensure adherence to the targets established in the report.

Significance

The IPCC’s report on global warming of 1.5°C had profound implications for policy-making, serving as a crucial scientific underpinning for climate negotiations and policy decisions worldwide. It stressed the urgency of climate action to minimize risks and outlined actionable pathways, reinforcing the call for international efforts to mitigate climate change impacts.

The release of this report significantly influenced environmental policies and negotiations, echoing the critical need to align current practices with sustainable development trajectories to safeguard the planet for future generations.