2020: The Climate Turning Point

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The historic and legally binding Paris Agreement handed the world a roadmap to address climate change once and for all. 196 nations universally adopted this agreement, committing to limit global temperature rise to between 1.5-2oC above pre-industrial levels. What is less well known is how urgently we must act to honor this commitment. If we are to be successful, greenhouse gas emissions must begin their steady decline by 2020: our climate turning point.

The six sections of this report have demonstrated that the 2020 climate turning point is not only necessary – it is both desirable and achievable as well. Indeed, the evidence that this turning point is within our grasp is growing every day. Global CO2 emissions have already plateaued, and are expected to remain flat over the coming years. Across the six key areas of energy, transport, land use, industry, infrastructure, and finance, there are opportunities for breakthrough actions to unlock a radical increase in ambition over the coming years. This will make meeting the Paris Agreement’s goals possible.
 
While managing climate change represents a huge challenge, it also represents a transformational opportunity. It offers an unprecedented – and exciting – chance for us to fast forward towards a highly desirable and more prosperous future. It is the 2020 turning point that will make this future possible. And it is radical collaboration and relentless optimism will make the 2020 climate turning point a reality.