Keeping the average global temperature below 1.5°C by 2050 will require an investment of at least $6 trillion. This is stated in a research report recently published by the consulting firm Arcadis.
In 2015, a climate conference was organized by the United Nations (UN) in Paris. It sets various goals to slow climate change. One of the main concerns is to reduce global warming by 1.5°C.
This requires a lot of money, Arcadis researchers around the world say in a new report. combined over the next few decades, to $6 trillion (or $6000 billion), which is about 7% of global GDP for 2020.
For their research, Arcadis researchers analyzed data on the economy and energy systems of ten countries. In addition to the Netherlands, there are four very large pollutants (China, the United States, India and Brazil), four European countries (Belgium, France, Germany and the United Kingdom), and Australia.
If these 10 countries want to limit the increase in average temperature on Earth, the researchers at the consultancy said, they must cut their carbon dioxide emissions by at least half by 2030. So it’s not an easy task.
At the same time, the ten countries also have to invest heavily in the electricity grid and power plants that generate electricity. If this does not happen, the various economic sectors will not be able to become more sustainable in time.
“Creating a large carbon-neutral power generation sector is essential because it will enable the rest of the economy to decarbonize,” said Alexis Ulans Haas, Arcadis’ Head of Sustainability.
Do we have 6000 billion dollars?
Calculated investments will certainly contribute to curbing global warming, but Arcadis says it is doubtful whether this will achieve the main goal in Paris.
In their report, researchers at the consulting firm cite a study by the IPCC – the UN Climate Working Group. She says that it will be very difficult to keep the Earth warm by no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius.
