Page 11 - Respond 2019 Magazine

Respond

Handled right, climate action also supports sustainable development (Pic: AusAid/Stephen Morrison)

29. Tools to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, such as carbon 34. While emissions reductions in line with 1.5C can support
capture and storage and forests, will be needed to suck out the UN’s sustainable development goals for 2030, they
100 to 1,000 gigatons over the century, for a 1.5C limit. If present a few trade-offs too. They fit particularly well with
material consumption is kept in check, it minimises the need the development goals for health, clean energy, cities and
for carbon removal. communities and responsible consumption and production.
But if not properly managed, they could harm the goals on
30. Carbon removal measures could help return temperatures poverty, hunger, water and energy access.
to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels if the world overshoots
the threshold, but they may have significant impacts on 35. Directing finance towards infrastructure that lowers emissions
land, energy, water and nutrients if used on a large scale. and adapts to climate change can help meet the 1.5C goal
Governments will have to limit the trade-offs and make sure in a way that supports sustainable development and lowers
the CO2 is removed permanently. poverty. This includes private funds from institutional
investors, asset managers and development or investment
Ramping up action
31. Existing national climate pledges under the Paris Agreement banks, as well as public funds. Governments can help with
are inadequate to the challenge. They would lead to 52-58 policies that lower the risk of investment in low-emission and
gigatons of CO2 emissions a year in 2030 – in line with a 3C adaptation projects.
temperature rise. Almost all the pathways to 1.5C require 36. It’s difficult to quantify the finance needed for adaptation
greenhouse gas emissions to fall below 35Gt/yr by then. measures that fit with a 1.5C limit, and how that compares
with 2C. The data on investments that boost resilience to
32. The lower the emissions in 2030, the easier it will be to limit climate change is insufficient. That said, the cost of adapting to
global warming to 1.5C. Delay in cutting greenhouse gases 1.5C “might” be lower than for 2C.
risks increasing the cost of reductions, locking countries into
carbon-emitting infrastructure or stranding high-emission Say it with confidence
assets. It could also add to the uneven distribution of climate 37. On the whole, the authors only put stuff in the summary they
impacts between developed and developing countries. are sure of. They indicate the strength of consensus in brackets
after many of the statements. “Very high confidence” appears
33. Adapting to the effects of climate change, and reducing five times; “high confidence” 107 times, “medium confidence”
vulnerabilities to it, can support sustainable development. 60 times and “low confidence” just twice.
It can ensure food and water security, lower the risks of
disasters, improve health and reduce poverty and inequality.
Adaptation measures that also lower emissions, such as low- This article was first published by Climate Home News at
carbon buildings that are efficiently cooled, can help sectors www.climatehomenews.org
go green at a lower cost.

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