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Saturday, February 29, 2020

Governments are planning to produce 50% more fossil fuels by 2030 than would be consistent with a 2°C pathway...



...,  and by 120% more than would be consistent with a 1.5°C pathway. Coal production planning is above numbers compatible with the climate goals by 150% and 280%, respectively.
These numbers are pointing at a huge challenge of  bringing the use of fossil fuels in line with climate goals, states The Production Gap report published by a group of leading research organisations supported by UNEP.
According to IEA, coal, oil, and natural gas remain the world’s dominant sources of energy accounting for 81% of total primary energy supply. These fuels are a source of over 75% of global GHG emissions, including about 90% of all CO2  emissions. IPCC estimates that CO2 emissions from fossil fuels will need to decline rapidly, by approximately 6% per year to remain on a 1.5°C-compatible pathway, and by roughly 2% per year to remain on a 2°C-compatible one. 
The Production Gap report reviews  production plans, outlooks, and support mechanisms in seven top fossil fuel producers (China, the United States, Russia, India, Australia, Indonesia, and Canada) and three significant producers with strong climate ambitions (Germany, Norway, and the United Kingdom).
On the way to close the production gap, countries would benefit from new models of addressing fossil fuel supply. Though most countries focus exclusively on the “demand-side” — with policies that focused on boosting renewable energy, energy efficiency, and other low-carbon technologies, some governments have also begun to introduce “supply-side” measures that aim to limit fossil fuel production.