A new online tool, which shows that cutting carbon emissions to limit global temperatures to a 2°C rise can be achieved while improving living standards, has been unveiled today.

 

The Global Calculator tool was developed in a project led by the UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change and co-funded by Climate-KIC.

 

The platform demonstrates how the world can eat well, travel more, live in more comfortable homes, and still meet international carbon reduction commitments.

 

Built in collaboration with a number of international organizations from US, China, India and Europe, the calculator is an interactive tool for businesses, NGOs and governments to consider the options for cutting carbon emissions and the trade-offs for energy and land use to 2050.

 

Using data reviewed by over 150 international experts, the free and interactive tool shows that despite expectations that the world’s population will rise from 7 billion currently to 10 billion by 2050, it is physically possible for everyone to have a good standard of living while limiting global temperature rises to 2°C.

 

However, the tool shows that to be successful the world needs to act now and transform the technologies and fuels we use and make smarter use of our land for food, forestry and fuel.

 

For example the amount of CO2 emitted per unit of electricity globally would need to fall by at least 90% and our forests protected and expanded by 5-15% by 2050.