The IPCC Group’s report repeats what we have heard on many occasions: we are late and it is time to take decisions to deal with the worst consequences of the climate emergency. At the present rate, global warming will reach 3.2 degrees by 2100, and it should be remembered that the target of Governments was to heat a maximum of 1.5 degrees at the Paris Climate Summit.

As for 2019 data, 34% of emissions are from the energy sector, 24% from industry, 22% from agricultural livestock, 15% from transport and 6% from construction. 70% of emissions are concentrated in cities – in addition, the trend is upward – and the report highlights the fundamental role that cities play in combating climate change.

Measures and deadlines

If we are to ensure that the planet does not warm more than 1.5 degrees, important measures will have to be taken in the coming decades. Thus:

Greenhouse gas emissions, to be recorded in 2025, will have to be significantly reduced.

Specifically, by 2030 emissions are projected to fall by 43% from 2019, and to fall by 84% by 2050.

With regard to fossil fuels, by 2050 coal consumption will have to be reduced by 95%, oil by 60% and gas by 45%.

With regard to transport, vehicle emissions should be reduced by 59% by 2050 – public transport, teleworking, digitisation are mentioned.

The report points out that total decarbonisation or zero discharge is complicated but can be achieved, so experts stress the importance of alternative energy sources. In addition to the urgency to address the climate emergency, the report concludes that emissions mitigation can be positive in employment and business opportunities.

Report of the expert group, end of a process

The working groups of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have completed their mandate in the sixth process of assessing the global climate situation and since last year have published three reports: the first, finalised in August 2021, on scientific grounds; the second, in February 2022, on impacts and adaptation; and the latter, on emission reduction policies.

The final report, involving 278 scientists from 65 countries, involved 354 experts.

Scientists, on strike

Throughout this week, the Scientific Rebellion movement has announced actions in 25 countries and called for a general strike in Spain. In their words, despite the serious warnings of scientists, the authorities do not put in place a real policy against climate change, and they are fed up with it. In addition, they have called on governments to launch "immediate and drastic actions" to address the climate disaster. They say that damage to the planet is irreparable, but that we are at a turning point.