Last week's poll: limiting global warming to 1.5° C

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What should be the priority for action to meet the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s recommended maximum temperature rise to minimise the effects of global warming?

Last week’s report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recommended “rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society” to limit global warming to 1.5ºC.

According to the IPCC, this would require changing the way we use and develop land, energy, industry, buildings, transport, and cities, adding that emissions of CO2 from human endeavours would have to fall by about 45 per cent from 2010 levels by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. Remaining emissions, said IPCC, would be balanced by removing carbon dioxide from the air.

To this end, the UK government is seeking advice from the Committee on Climate Change on setting a date for achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions across the nation’s economy.

For 46 per cent of respondents to last week’s poll, the way to limiting global warming to 1.5ºC involves the accelerated implementation of low-carbon electricity generation and heat, followed by 16 per cent who advocate the encouragement of low-carbon habits.

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