Key lessons from the IPCC report

🌍 Scientific findings

The latest IPCC report, published in 2023, confirms that global warming is accelerating at an unprecedented rate. The global average temperature has already risen by 1.2°C compared to the pre-industrial era, and this increase is continuing. Human activities are the main cause of this rise, due to massive emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs).

Emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) have reached record levels. In 2023, the concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere exceeded 420 parts per million (ppm), a level not seen for 800,000 years (source).

Sectors with the highest emissions :

• The energy sector accounts for around 73% of global GHG emissions(source).
• The transport sector is responsible for 16% of emissions.
• Industry generates 21% of emissions, notably through cement and steel production.

IPCC scientists warn that without a drastic reduction in emissions, global warming could exceed 2°C by 2100, with irreversible consequences for ecosystems and human societies. This situation calls for an effective combination of mitigation and adaptation strategies.

⚠️ Global and sectoral impacts

Climate change is already having visible effects around the world. The IPCC report highlights several major impacts:

🌪️ Extreme weather events :

• • • Hurricanes, droughts and floods are becoming more frequent and intense.
    • In 2021, flooding in Germany caused economic losses estimated at 40 billion euros.
    • In 2024, Spain's Valencia region suffered devastating floods, causing over 200 deaths and damage estimated at 30 billion euros. (source)

🌊 Rising sea levels :

• • • Average sea level has risen by 20 cm since 1900 and the trend is accelerating (source).

🎯 The link with international objectives

The IPCC report reiterates the urgency of complying with the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to 1.5°C. To achieve this, global emissions must fall by 45% by 2030, and we must aim for a net-zero balance by reducing and offsetting our emissions by 2050.

An example of climate policy:

• • The European Union has adopted the Green Pact for Europe, aiming for a 55% reduction in emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050.

Meeting these commitments will require an in-depth transformation of all economic sectors, involving ambitious policies and massive investment in low-carbon solutions. This transition also requires in-depth work on the development of realistic and effective scenarios for achieving these objectives.

A clear summary of these actions helps guide political and economic decisions towards a sustainable trajectory.

Concrete actions for companies

♻️ Reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Companies must take a proactive approach to limiting their environmental impact by implementing effective strategies:

⚡️ Energy optimization: investing in more efficient technologies, using renewable energies and improving the energy efficiency of buildings.

🚌 Sustainable transport: reduce business travel, encourage teleworking and invest in low-carbon vehicle fleets.

💶 Circular economy: rethinking manufacturing processes, prioritizing recycling and reducing industrial waste.

The increase in sustainable development initiatives is an essential lever for meeting the climate and economic challenges of the coming years. Numerous scientific reports warn of the importance of a rapid transition to reduce environmental risks and limit the impact of business on the planet.

🌱 Committing to a low-carbon approach

Adopting this approach implies a global commitment on the part of the company:

• Product eco-design: minimizing environmental impact right from the design phase.
• Stakeholder engagement: raising employee and supplier awareness of best practices.
• Participation in carbon offset projects: supporting reforestation and CO₂ capture initiatives.

The fight against climate change is a global priority, and every country has a role to play in ensuring a state of resilience in the face of environmental challenges. Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions is essential to avoid the worst-case scenarios of global warming.

Corporate adaptation is crucial to preserving the health of populations and ecosystems. What's more, factoring climate issues into corporate strategies requires constant monitoring of international reports and best practices, often published in English to reach a global audience.

Concrete solutions for action

Faced with the challenges posed by climate change, companies need to adopt ambitious strategies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to the transition to a low-carbon economy. Inspired by the recommendations of the IPCC and the objectives of the United Nations, these solutions enable concrete action to be taken to limit the environmental impact of business activities.

☁️ Achieving carbon neutrality

Achieving carbon neutrality means minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and offsetting those that cannot be avoided. This approach is in line with the objectives set by the Paris Agreement and the IPCC recommendations.

To achieve this, companies need to follow a number of steps:

• Identify their sources of emissions through a complete GHG assessment, including scopes 1, 2 and 3.
• Implement an emissions reduction plan by investing in sustainable approaches and optimizing their processes.
• Support carbon offset projects such as reforestation, CO₂ capture or renewable energy development.

A number of major companies have already embarked on this path. IKEA, for example, is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050 by reducing its emissions and financing ecological projects.

Regular reports published by international organizations show that the success of these commitments depends largely on large-scale emissions mitigation and the implementation of strategies adapted to different warming scenarios.

🚀 Implementing a decarbonization strategy

• Calculate your carbon footprint: GCI helps companies accurately assess their emissions through a certified GHG balance sheet. This analysis is essential to identify the main sources of emissions and draw up an effective action plan.
• Optimizing reduction strategies: GCI offers tools to help companies identify priority actions and best practices to reduce their emissions, taking into account European and international regulations.
• Reducing indirect emissions (Scope 3): A significant proportion of emissions come from the supply chain. GCI helps companies integrate their suppliers and partners into their climate strategy, by carrying out comprehensive carbon assessments across the entire value chain.

🤝 Working together for a sustainable future

Combating global warming requires collective action. Companies must work with public authorities, scientific institutions and other economic players to implement sustainable solutions.

• Strengthening public-private partnerships: Cooperation between different sectors is essential to accelerate the ecological transition. In Europe, initiatives such as RE100 bring together companies committed to using 100% renewable energies.
• Raising awareness and training: Climate education is a major challenge. Encouraging decision-makers and employees to adopt sustainable practices helps ensure the effectiveness of the measures put in place.
• Relying on scientific research: This is essential if we are to make a successful transition to a more climate-friendly economy. Organizations like CNRS play a key role in developing innovative technologies. For example, in November 2022, CNRS launched an ambitious plan to reduce its own emissions by 40% by 2030, by taking action on energy, digital, mobility and purchasing.

By adopting a proactive approach and collaborating with all the players involved in change, companies can not only reduce their impact on the climate, but also strengthen their resilience and competitiveness in a rapidly changing world.

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