Global CO2 Emissions: Zeroing in on Net Zero

Anshu Bharadwaj, Jamshyd Godrej, March 19, 2021

The global debate on combating climate change is in a decisive phase. The recent extreme weather events in Uttarakhand and Texas only highlight the challenge ahead. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states that global CO2 emissions should reach net zero by 2050 to have a reasonable probability of limiting global warming to 1.50 C. This is a narrow time window. Considering that the global energy industry is fossil dominated, achieving net zero emissions implies an energy transition at a scale not seen before. Therefore, this decade requires decisive action.