Countdown to Carbon Budget: Urgency in Climate Action Intensifies

As global carbon dioxide emissions continue unchecked, an international consortium of scientists has highlighted an alarming forecast: the carbon budget for maintaining global warming beneath a 1.5 degrees Celsius increase will deplete in just over three years. This could have serious implications on climate targets unless drastic emission reductions are implemented immediately.

The carbon budget, a critical measure denoting the total permissible CO2 emissions to keep temperature rise within safe limits, is at risk. Countries worldwide committed to the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold during the 2015 Paris climate conference. However, with the current trajectory, not only is this goal in danger, but even the budget to restrict warming to 2 degrees Celsius could be surpassed by 2048.

Human activities, predominantly fossil fuel combustion and deforestation, have escalated CO2 emissions to 53 billion tonnes annually over the past decade, contributing significantly to Earth's temperature increase. Warming has reached an average of 1.24 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with the hottest year recorded in 2024. Despite IPCC's calls for a 43% emissions cut by 2030, delays in action now necessitate even greater reductions.

(With inputs from agencies.)