27 November 2012

UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2012

IIASA researchers contributed to a new UNEP report showing that avoiding potentially dangerous levels of global warming is still possible, but requires major cuts in greenhouse gas emissions before 2020.

smokestacks © Viktor Gmyria | Dreamstime.com

smokestacks © Viktor Gmyria | Dreamstime.com

IIASA researchers Keywan Riahi and Fabian Wagner contributed to the report from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), which estimates the “emission gap,” or the difference between the level of greenhouse gas emissions projected for 2020, and the emissions level that is consistent with reaching international goals for climate, such as limiting global temperature rise to 2° or 1.5° Celsius. The report shows that without action, carbon dioxide emissions could rise to 58 gigatons (GtCO2) per year by 2020.

Wagner worked on Chapter 2, estimating current and future emissions and emission intensities. Riahi worked on Chapter 3, which updates the estimate emissions gap presented in UNEP’s 2011 report by analyzing emissions scenarios.

More information

UNEP Press Release: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Gap Widening as Nations Head to Crucial Climate Talks in Doha

Download the full report: The Third Emissions Gap Report 2012



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Last edited: 30 October 2013

CONTACT DETAILS

Keywan Riahi

Program Director and Principal Research Scholar Energy, Climate, and Environment Program

Principal Research Scholar Integrated Assessment and Climate Change Research Group - Energy, Climate, and Environment Program

Principal Research Scholar Pollution Management Research Group - Energy, Climate, and Environment Program

Principal Research Scholar Sustainable Service Systems Research Group - Energy, Climate, and Environment Program

Fabian Wagner

Principal Research Scholar Pollution Management Research Group - Energy, Climate, and Environment Program

Principal Research Scholar Transformative Institutional and Social Solutions Research Group - Energy, Climate, and Environment Program

CDAT Dean and Principal Research Scholar Capacity Development and Academic Training Unit

International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
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