About Climate Action

The science is clear – the threat is real

Climate change is a global emergency. The impact of human activity on greenhouse gas emissions and land use has compounded environmental harm and created an escalating crisis. A drastic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is needed if we are to stand a chance of staying below 1.5°C of warming relative to pre-industrial levels and prevent major climate instabilities. The scale of the problem calls for a transformation of our systems and markets and the creation of a net-zero society.

This is our chance to build a better future

Addressing climate change is a great opportunity for bold change towards a fairer, healthier and more sustainable society. The need for an urgent overhaul of our economy and way of life is setting into motion a global response to our biggest societal challenges. Creating long-term solutions to climate change requires the buy-in and participation of everybody in society. Cleaner and more efficient communities will raise the quality of life for all citizens. Greater access to clean energy will fuel new jobs and create a dynamic new economy. The benefits of a net-zero society can serve not only to avert disaster, but to create more peace and prosperity.

The benefits of climate action

 

Environmental

  • The protection of ecosystems and biodiversity
  • The preservation of forests, our natural allies in reducing CO2
  • Reduced air pollution
  • Improved water and soil quality

Societal

  • More social justice and civic engagement
  • Less social upheaval and a reduced need for migration
  • Better public transport and services
  • More resilient communities

Economic

  • Reduced dependency on energy imports
  • Highly efficient industries and infrastructure
  • The creation of millions of new jobs
  • Improved livelihoods for small farmers

Public health

  • More available food and improved diets
  • Fewer health complications due to air pollution
  • Prevention of mosquito-borne illnesses
  • More efficient public health services

The threats posed by climate change

Extreme Weather

Extreme weather

68% of all extreme weather events studied to date were made more likely or more severe by human-caused climate change

Wildlife

Biodiversity loss

The combined effects of global warming and land-use change could cause the world’s ecosystems to lose more than a third of their animal species by 2070

Water

Water

Global warming and land use change will drastically reduce the availability of groundwater

Crops

Crops

Rising CO2 levels could push hundreds of millions into malnutrition by 2050

Ocean Acidification

Ocean acidification

The world’s oceans could become uninhabitable for cold-water corals by the end of the century as a result of ocean acidification

Sea Level

Sea level rise and ice

The rate of sea level rise resulting from the melting of the Antarctic ice sheet has tripled over the past five years