COP24: Reaching zero emission before 2050 is must to contain global warming

The scientific consensus is that we need to reach "net zero" CO₂ emissions by 2050

The Paris Agreement of 2015 has a central aim to keep global temperature rise this century well below 2degreeC above pre-industrial levels and to “pursue efforts” to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5degreeC. This is an ambitious aim – global temperatures are rapidly approaching the 1.5degreeC target and the 2degreeC limit is not far away.

The path to 1.5 degree C requires that the world achieve zero emissions before 2050. It is imperative, therefore, that we stop burning fossil fuels, known as mitigation. However, our present trajectory suggests we’re not on track. COP24 can’t take its