Global fossil fuel use must halve by 2035 and be phased out entirely by 2070 at the latest if the world is to keep global warming below 1.5°C by the end of the century, according to a new analysis published on Wednesday.
The new briefing from Climate Analytics lays out an initial look at potential global and national roadmaps that align with the latest science and minimise the magnitude and duration of overshoot beyond the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C limit.
And the most important lever available to humanity is transitioning away from fossil fuels, given that fossil fuel production and use is currently responsible for 70 per cent of global emissions.
“Fossil fuels are still pouring oil on the climate fire,” said Dr Neil Grant, senior expert for mitigation pathways at Climate Analytics.
“Our analysis is clear: we need to cut fossil fuel use sharply this decade, halve it by 2035, and drive it down to real zero by 2070.”
