The results of Latin American deep decarbonization models

What is it about?

In the face of rising global warming, the Paris Agreement set a target for capping the increase in the global average temperature to a maximum of 1.5–2°C. As carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are a major contributor to rising temperatures, the world needs to reach net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050-70 in order to achieve this target. Sustainable agriculture, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and limiting energy consumption are some ways to attempt this ambitious goal of deep decarbonization, but every country needs to contribute for a tangible result. However, in doing so, the developmental needs of poorer countries should not be compromised, and so, each country needs to individually assess their trajectory towards carbon neutrality. The authors of this paper have focused on six Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries, Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru, and their implementation of a Deep Decarbonization Pathways Project (DDP-LAC). This model focuses on the development of these countries and increasing their standard of living while also reducing CO₂ emissions. Targeting every economic sector (such as energy, agriculture, and transport), it emphasizes the efficient use of resources in each of these. The paper assesses the results of the DDP-LAC and mentions sectors in which further work is needed (like industry, agriculture, forestry and land use, freight, and oil and gas production).

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Photo by Marek Piwnicki on Unsplash

Photo by Marek Piwnicki on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The development of each economic sector is currently at the cost of emission of greenhouse gases like CO2, with some sectors contributing more to this carbon output than others. Therefore, studying these sectors and formulating strategies to increase their energy efficiency and sustainability would help reduce emissions to a large extent.