2018 Conference

Individual Paper Presentation

The concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere determines global temperature. Emissions have increased over time and, in recent decades, global temperature has increased while emissions have continued.  In 2016, national governments agreed to limit warming to 2 degrees C and to try to limit to 1.5 degrees C.  Each country provided initial national commitments (NDCs) of actions they will take to limit emissions by 2020 and agreed on a schedule for updating those commitments.

Traditionally, population and economic growth have led to increased emissions. Now, emissions are not growing as much as economic growth in some parts of the world. Reasons for this decoupling include: energy efficiency, lower-carbon sources of energy, and behavioral changes. This paper summarizes research on the trends in emissions, and the rate at which reductions are occurring.  Case studies of best practices are presented to illustrate some of the successful solutions.

Finally, targets for emissions in year 2050 are discussed, and the degree to which efforts need to accelerate in order to meet them.