Blog Posts: emissions

The European Council will vote later this month on a proposal to go carbon neutral by 2050. The ramifications of the EU's decision will extend far beyond its borders.

Advances in science and technology mean that we can better measure emissions. A "refinement" to the existing guidelines lays out how countries can better report to the IPCC, giving us a better picture than ever of what we need to do to reduce greenhouse gas pollution.

Corporations increasingly claim that their products reduce emissions. But these claims are often unverifiable or inaccurate, according to WRI's investigation of more than 300 companies.

Our best chance of preventing the worst impacts of climate change is to peak carbon emissions by 2020. New WRI research finds that despite progress in some areas, the world is not yet on track.

Climate discussions tend to focus on raising ambition—getting countries to reduce more emissions, faster.  But there’s an equally important issue that gets far less attention: ensuring climate action doesn’t leave anyone behind, particularly the world’s most vulnerable people.

Emissions are still rising when they need to be declining. We are using more oil and gas, and though coal is declining in some places it is surging in others.

The first bipartisan U.S. climate legislation in a decade aims to reduce carbon pollution by 90 percent through a carbon fee and dividend program, demonstrating that thoughtful members of Congress understand the urgent need to address climate change.

More than 7 million people die prematurely every year due to air pollution. Curbing short-lived climate pollutants like methane and black carbon can help while also reining in global warming.

Scientists say that global emissions must reach net-zero by mid-century to avoid the worst climate disasters. While G20 countries produce 75 percent of world's emissions, only a small handful have a plan for reducing them between now and 2050.

Global meat and dairy consumption is set to increase nearly 70 percent by 2050. The resulting agricultural emissions would make it impossible to keep temperature rise below 1.5°C (2.7°F), the level scientists say is necessary for staving off climate disasters.