CO2 emissions need to reach net zero by 2050 to limit global warming to 1.5°C
Climate change, driven by natural and human factors like fossil fuel use, agriculture, and deforestation, is altering global weather patterns and causing disruptions to water resources, ecosystems, and crop yields. Increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, trap solar radiation, leading to global warming, especially in oceans. Scientific evidence indicates a higher risk of significant environmental changes if global temperatures rise beyond 2°C above pre-industrial levels. Since 1992, most countries have been part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, a treaty providing a framework for international cooperation for combating climate change. This was followed by the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol in 1997 which commits its developed country Parties to internationally binding emission reduction targets, and the Paris Agreement in 2015 which sets out an international action plan to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. Achieving these targets requires systemic changes in global emission patterns. The energy sector can contribute through demand-side interventions, energy efficiency, flexible systems, and renewable energy sources to help mitigate climate impacts and limit temperature rise.
Learn more about climate change and emissions by exploring our Energy Insights.
For details on the progress in achieving the global and national climate change targets read the New Energy World analyses.
Discover UK energy professionals' views of the best measures to reach emissions targets by reading our annual Energy Barometer.
2023
was the warmest year on record since recordkeeping began in 1880 (NASA)
0billion
metric tonnes of ice per year on average was shed from the Antarctic ice sheet between 2002 and 2023 (NASA)
0%
of greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector in 2022 were CO2 emissions from energy combustion and industrial processes (IEA)
0%
increase in carbon dioxide emissions from flaring was seen from 2022 to 2023 (Statistical Review of World Energy)
What's new?
New EU maritime regulations set course for sector decarbonisation
15/1/2025
The legislation is a critical component of the EU’s ‘Fit for 55’ package, aimed at achieving a 55% reduction in net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by ...
Industry praises UK government plans for electricity system change proposals
8/1/2025
The Clean Power Action Plan aims to ‘clean up a dysfunctional grid system’ by prioritising the most important projects and ending the ‘first-come-firs...
Global wind workforce requires major expansion to meet 2028 targets
11/12/2024
In 2023, global new wind power installations surpassed the 100 GW milestone for the first time, including 105.6 GW of onshore wind and 10.8 GW of offs...
New Indonesian President signs off $7bn gas project while reaffirming 2050 net zero target
4/12/2024
The $7bn Tangguh Ubadari CCUS Compression (UCC) project will comprise development of the Ubadari gas field, enhanced gas recovery through CCUS and ons...
UK SAF mandate becomes law as government revamps aviation net zero taskforce
4/12/2024
The SAF Mandate requires an increasing amount of SAF in overall jet fuel from 1 January 2025, starting at 2% of total UK jet fuel demand, increasing o...
Events and training
The Gas Network in 2050 What will it look like
29/1/2025
The Energy Institute Northern Ireland Branch is pleased to invite you to the Northern Ireland Gas Symposium to debate and understand the best technolo...
Technical guidance publications
No publications found.