The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C earlier this week.

In response, the World Coal Association, (WCA) notes that:

• The IPCC report is a review of literature that focuses on limiting the impact of climate change. The report presents different pathways to a 1.5°C scenario.

• The WCA believes that any pathway that does not emphasise the importance of carbon capture and storage (CCS) is not realistic given the world’s continued reliance on fossil fuels.
  

• About 75% of the world’s energy still comes from fossil fuels and with the world’s energy demand set to rise, fossil fuels - including coal - will continue to power up many economies.
  

• Given the continued role of fossil fuels, it’s essential that we support countries to use zero emission technologies, like CCS, which allows them to meet climate targets while at the same time meeting economic imperatives.
  

• The IEA notes that faster deployment of CCS could support the shift from 2°C to the Paris Agreement target of well below 2°C
  

• We'll be more successful in meeting climate targets if we focus on addressing emissions instead of trying to get rid of a fuel that many rely on for economic development.

• Governments need to direct efforts to advancing CCS technology, which the IPCC itself sees as one of the critical solutions to decarbonising energy systems. The IPCC has stated in previous reports that without CCS, it will be 138% more expensive to meet the 2°C climate goal.

Reference: https://www.worldcoal.org