Key insights from the report

Global GHG emissions (CO2 and others) need to peak between 2020 and at the latest before 2025 in pathways that limit warming to 1.5°C with no or limited overshoot, and in those that limit warming to 2°C, and assume immediate action.

Global net zero CO2 emissions are reached in the early 2050s in pathways that limit warming to 1.5°C with no or limited overshoot, and around the early 2070s in pathways that limit warming to 2°C.

All pathways that limit warming to 1.5°C with no or limited overshoot, and those that limit warming to 2°C involve rapid and deep and, in most cases, immediate GHG emission reductions in all sectors.

Reducing GHG emissions across the full energy sector requires major transitions, including a substantial reduction in overall fossil fuel use.

The continued installation of unabated fossil fuel infrastructure will ‘lock-in’ GHG emissions.

Net-zero CO2 emissions from the industrial sector are challenging but possible. Progressing towards net zero GHG emissions from industry will be enabled by the adoption of new production processes using low and zero GHG electricity, hydrogen, fuels, and carbon management

10% of households with the highest per capita emissions contribute a disproportionately large share of global household GHG emissions.

At least 18 countries have sustained GHG emission reductions for longer than 10 years. Both India and China show signs of decoupling between GDP and emissions because of structural change

Limiting warming to 1.5°C with no or limited overshoot will require reduction of global use of coal, oil and gas in 2050 by median values of about 95%, 60% and 45% compared to 2019. If there are no carbon capture and sequestration, coal use must be cut entirely by 2050.