In response to the alarming new data shared in today’s release of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) issued the following statements:
Dr. Stephanie Roe, IPCC Lead Author and WWF Global Climate and Energy Lead Scientist, said: “The latest IPCC report finds that solutions are readily available across all sectors to more than halve emissions by 2030, in line with a 1.5°C pathway. Moreover, a low-carbon economy can create more jobs overall, and there are many mitigation options with economic, societal and environmental benefits. Since the last report, technologies have significantly improved, and the costs of solutions like solar, wind and batteries have declined by up to 85%.
“Around 20 countries have shown they can reduce emissions through policy and economic measures, which have boosted energy efficiency, reduced rates of deforestation and increased renewable energy and low-carbon transportation. Some countries’ reductions are consistent with limiting warming to 2°C, but none are yet on track for a 1.5°C pathway. We clearly have the tools to tackle the climate crisis, but they need to be deployed more rapidly and at a larger scale to keep 1.5°C within reach and reduce the severity of climate impacts.”
Marcene Mitchell, World Wildlife Fund Senior Vice President for Climate Change said:
“This latest report from the IPCC underlines and highlights the need to decarbonize the US economy and fulfill our global commitments for a safer, healthier and more prosperous world. To accomplish this, Congress must pass bold climate legislation to invest in cleaner, more resilient infrastructure.
“Our window of opportunity to avoid the worst impacts of climate change is vanishing. We must act now. We have the tools, and America is ready to go all in on climate action. It’s now up to Congress. They must provide the resources we need to implement our transition from fossil fuels and demonstrate a strong commitment to adaptation, particularly in frontline communities hit first and worst by climate impacts.”