Sixty-six countries have signaled their intent to achieve net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050, the United Nations said Monday, seen as a vital goal in preventing catastrophic longer term climate change.

"In terms of the 2050 group, 66 governments are joined by 10 regions, 102 cities, 93 businesses and 12 investors -- all committed to net zero CO2emissions by 2050," the office of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement.

"The climate emergency is a race we are losing, but it is a race we can win," he said.

Some 60 world leaders have convened for the UN Climate Action Summit in New York aimed at reinvigorating the faltering Paris agreement, at a time when mankind is releasing more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than at any time in history.

The UN estimates that the world needs to increase its current efforts five-fold to contain climate change to the levels dictated by science -- a rise of 1.5 degrees Celsius by the year 2100 to avoid escalating climate damage.

Countries announced commitments to carbon reduction targets under the Paris Agreement of 2015, and are now expected to update their "nationally determined contributions" by 2020.

Related Links

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Italy's Enel to reduce C02 emissions 70% by 2030
Milan (AFP) Sept 18, 2019
Italian energy giant Enel said Wednesday it plans to reduce its direct greenhouse gas emissions by 70 percent by 2030 compared to 2017 levels. In an announcement just a few days ahead of the UN Climate Summit, Enel said it wanted to help achieve the UN's goal of limiting the maximum global temperature increase to 1.5 percent Celsius from pre-industrial levels, and achieving zero emissions by 2050. "By cutting our direct emissions by 70 percent... we will be well on track, 20 years before the 205 ... read more