Overview

• Researchers recommend urgent global action to achieve net zero emissions in six years, to limit global warming to 1.5°C, as per the remaining carbon budget of 250 gigatonnes (billion metric tonnes) of CO₂ calculated in a new study.
• The global level of emissions is presently 40 gigatonnes of CO₂ per year. If emissions continue at this pace, according to the revised Carbon budget, we may surpass the safe temperature threshold far sooner than anticipated.
• The researchers revised the remaining carbon budget down from last recorded 500 gigatonnes by IPCC in 2020, due to timing and other factors including reductions in cooling aerosols.
• If current national climate policies are fully implemented, this may be enough to hold warming below 2°C. However, the risks of triggering additional climate tipping points increase with increased warming.
• Although the new estimates come with uncertainties related to effects of other greenhouse gases and climate responses, they emphasize the necessity for rapid reductions in emissions.