N4C spokespeople respond to IPCC 1.5 report and the importance of NCS

The much-awaited special report on global warming at 1.5C from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) calls for “rapid, far reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society” if governments and industries are to avoid uncontrollable natural tipping points. Human-caused emissions of carbon dioxide need to fall by about 45 per cent from 2010 levels by 2030 and reach ‘net zero’ around 2050, says the report. The IPCC report shows that a transformation of the land sector is essential to delivering a world with just 1.5°C degree warming. The best option to sequester carbon emissions is through natural climate solutions.  N4C spokespeople responded to the report and the importance of NCS in stabilising the word’s climate:

“A global warming of 2°C would place many species and ecosystems with limited adaptive capacity under very high risk. Even at a global average temperature increase of 1.5°C, the risks for unique and threatened systems are high. Keeping global temperature increases closer to 1.5°C rather than 2°C, is likely to significantly reduce the negative impacts on biodiversity, especially in the most vulnerable ecosystems.”

“Deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions are crucial if we want to avoid catastrophic impacts of climate change on economies, societies and life. However, the 1.5°C target will not be reached based on emissions reduction alone. It is imperative that nature be part of the solution to the climate crisis, as nature-based solutions can make significant contributions to climate mitigation and adaptation by reducing emissions from deforestation and other land-use change, by enhancing carbon sinks, and by building the resiliency of ecosystems and livelihoods.”

Dr. Cristiana Paşca-Palmer, United Nations Assistant Secretary General and Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity

“The IPCC report released today shows that we are on track to surpass 1.5°C temperature rise as soon as 2040 – unless we implement solutions now. If applied now, nature could help us capture over 30% of the emission reductions needed. Stopping deforestation, protecting natural carbon sinks and restoring damaged habitats – these are not concepts. These are solutions we can and must roll out today.”

“To deliver natural climate solutions at scale will require unprecedented funding and coordination. The private sector has a significant role to play in accelerating and financing these solutions. To help achieve the necessary impact, we’re working with key players in the business and NGO communities to mobilize investment in natural climate solutions. It’s time to move beyond talk. It’s time to put real money next to real solutions, and the only way you’re going to do that is to get different players from different sectors together driving towards meaningful action.”

Peter Bakker, President and CEO at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

“The IPCC report is a sobering reminder that we’re still not on track to achieve the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement…In addition to making deep cuts to global emissions, we need to increase efforts to remove carbon from the atmosphere….Conservancy studies show that carbon removal through natural climate solutions – reforestation, improving forest management, soil carbon sequestration, restoring coastal wetlands, among others – has a positive impact on emissions reduction, is cost-effective, and benefits communities struggling to adapt to the impacts of climate change….Other carbon removal options may prove important over time, but we need to make the most of the ready-made solutions provided by nature….While the report plainly shows that we need to accelerate the rate at which we reduce emissions to a scale that has no documented historic precedent, the Conservancy and many of our colleagues and partners are committed to pushing governments to create and execute ambitious policies and strategies that include natural climate solutions in addition to action in all other sectors.”

Will McGoldrick, Global Climate Strategy Director for The Nature Conservancy

“Research done by Woods Hole Research Center and others has shown that much of the CO2 removal needed to limit warming to 1.5º can be achieved through “natural climate solutions,” restoration of carbon into natural reservoirs like forests, wetlands, and agricultural soils. This removes carbon from the atmosphere, which acts to reverse climate change while producing important co-benefits. Our work with the Nature4Climate coalition researches, promotes, and aims to implement these solutions. But the reality is that we’re not on track to meet either of these goals, 1.5 or 2º.  If that continues it will only elevate the importance of CO2 removal, and the need for natural climate solutions.”

Dr. Philip Duffy, President of the Woods Hole Research Center