The increase in global greenhouse gas emissions needs to have turned into a decrease by around 2020, to reach a 2 °C target

A new PBL report gives an overview of the implications of the 2 °C target, by systematically presenting information along the causal chain of climate change. One element is that the increase in global greenhouse gas emissions will need to be halted and have turned into a decrease by around 2020. By 2050, global emissions would need to have been reduced by 35 to 55%, compared to 1990 levels. Meeting such targets requires considerable emission reductions in high-income countries, but also early climate-policy involvement of other major economies. The most significant challenges are those of reaching consensus on the contributions from different countries and sectors, and of putting into place the right policies that lead to innovation and fundamental transitions.