A recent report from BCIT Centre for Ecocities’ Ryan Mackie shares how current greenhouse gas emissions targets and carbon budgeting stand up to the latest climate science, and highlights the importance of a consumption-based approach.
The report shows data in the IPCC’s own Sixth Assessment indicates that our global carbon budget to stay below 1.5°C global warming (from pre-industrial levels) ran out about 10 to 20 years ago. To achieve a high likelihood of limiting warming to 1.5°C the report recommends government decision makers:
1. Revisit mitigation timelines: Very short timelines to achieve net negative global GHG emissions still have a high likelihood of limiting warming to 1.5°C.
2. Address barriers to an accelerated mitigation timeline: Procedures at all levels of government need to align with the rapid change that is necessary.
3. Develop/implement a comprehensive carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategy: Our end goal should be to return to safe atmospheric GHG levels as soon as possible.
4. Incorporate consumption-based GHG emissions in climate planning: A consumption-based approach will help ensure global targets are met in an equitable way.
Read the report and watch a webinar with the same content.