What is the IPCC special report on global warming of 1.5°C?
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issued a special report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C in 2018, in the light of the Paris Agreement's reference to pursuing efforts to limit the global average temperature rise to 1.5°C. In the report, the IPCC advises on the impacts that could be avoided by limiting global warming to 1.5°C compared to 2°C or more, and warns that a temperature rise of 1.5°C or higher increases the risk associated with long-lasting or irreversible changes. The IPCC report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C is available here: https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/.
How is this commitment different from commitment (b)?
Commitment (a) requires member law firms to reduce their operational emissions in line with achieving net zero emissions by 2050. In addition to a 2050 target, law firms must set a 2030 (or interim) target for their operational emissions, which must be consistent with a fair share of the 50% global reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (this requirement was identified in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) special report on global warming of 1.5°C). Commitment (b) requires member law firms to work with clients to offer net zero aligned legal services, where feasible.
Why is a 50% reduction of CO2 emissions needed by 2030?
The IPCC special report on global warming of 1.5°C states that human-caused emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) need to fall approximately 45% below 2010 levels by 2030 in order to limit global average temperature rise to 1.5°C. Because CO2 emissions continued to rise 2010-2019, this implies that CO2 emissions reduce to 50% below 2019 levels by 2030.
What should the baseline be for 2030 targets?
It is recommended that 2030 targets be set against a baseline of 2019, given this is the baseline that the 50% carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions reduction requirement is calculated on.
What does a 'fair share' of the 50% global reduction in CO2 mean?
What constitutes a 'fair share' of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions reduction by 2030 will depend on factors such as the existing emissions profile of the law firm (e.g. if they already embody significant emissions reductions, that is relevant), the geographic location (e.g. if compliant with a national or regional net zero regime, that would be relevant) and the degree of difficulty associated with decarbonisation. An average global emissions reduction of 50% by 2030 would be consistent with a 1.5°C trajectory.
