‘Coal usage in global electricity needs to be reduced to 0% to limit global warming to 1.5°c by 2050’

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The report predicted that the investment in low-carbon energy technologies and energy efficiency will be required five times higher than in 2015. Photo: File
 

ISLAMABAD: The amount of coal in the global electricity mix would need to be reduced to close to 0% by 2050 to limit global warming to 1.5°c, said Global Warming of 1.5 °C: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) special report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways.

The report is released in the context of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development, and efforts to eradicate poverty, adding that decrease in the CO2 emissions from industry between 75% to 90% is needed in 2050 compared to 2010 levels to limit warming to 1.5°C.

It said that the increase in urban population exposed to severe drought would stand approximately at 411 million if the global warming continues at 2°c, and world population exposed to severe heatwaves at least once every five years.

The ministry said that the temperature rise would aggravate decline in global annual catch for marine fisheries by 3 million in 2050, compare to 1.5 million if the temperature stays at 1.5°c

The report predicted that the investment in low-carbon energy technologies and energy efficiency will be required five times higher than in 2015.

Earlier, a World Bank report warned in its report that at least 800 million people living in South Asia are stand to be at risk of facing diminished living conditions due to climate change if nothing is done to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.

The study identified “hot spots” where the deterioration is expected to be most severe while taking into account all six countries of South Asia.

“The analyses reveal that hot spots tend to be more disadvantaged districts, even before the effects of changes in average weather are felt,” the report concluded. “Hot spots are characterized by low household consumption, poor road connectivity, limited access to markets, and other development challenges.”

Karachi emerged in the hot spots category because higher temperatures are forecast to lower labor productivity and worsen public health.

The study noted that from 1950 to 2010, southwestern Pakistan have already seen average temperatures rise in the range of 1 degree Celsius to 3 degrees per year.

It predicted that across South Asia annual average temperatures are projected to rise by 2.2 degrees Celsius (3.9 degrees Fahrenheit) by 2050 under a high emissions scenario, and by 1.6 degrees Celsius if steps are taken to reduce global emissions.