A new report has highlighted 2020 as the year to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and reach net zero carbon by 2050.
The Climate Turning Point report, released today (9 April), was convened by the former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Christiana Figueres.
The report highlights than in the next three years, businesses, investo outcompete fossil fuels by 2020.
“Everyone has a right to prosper, and if emissions do not begin their rapid decline by 2020, the world’s most vulnerable people will suffer even more from the devastating impacts of climate change,” Figueres said.
“Science tells us this is our imperative, technology shows us we have what it takes, the economics are pointing us in the right direction and the benefits to waver.”
The report argues that global climate frameworks have lacked a near-term focal point for action, and Figueres enlisted business and policy expertise from the likes of Yale University, Carbon Tracker and Climate Action Tracker to produce short-term targets.
The targets include the assurance that all new mobility in major cities is zero-carbon by 2020, plans are in place toration and new agricultural practices and that financial investments go beyond $1trn per year for climate action.
With the UK Government announcing that the heavy industry will