Society is awakening to the facts of a climate emergency and the need for urgent climate action. Are individuals’ demands, governmental requests, and major funds and companies aligned?

We saw the Extinction Rebellion protests in London followed immediately by the UK Parliament declaring a National Climate Emergency . Almost a t the same time, the CEO of the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association was on the news sharing the findings on their most recent survey of fund managers’ responses to climate-related risks facing fossil fuel companies.
There is increasing awareness that drastic action needs to happen. It looks like we are moving in the right direction in one way.  However , the challenge remains when looking at the numbers, timelines and who are the real executors of such noble intentions.

 

Extinction Rebellion – The Truth

The movement states: “We are facing an unprecedented Global emergency. Life on Earth is in crisis: scientists agree we have entered a period of abrupt breakdown, and we are in the midst of mass extinction of our own making.”

The United Nations (UN) – The message is clear

The Secretary-General of the UN, António Guterres, made it clear in his remarks on Climate Change towards the end of 2018:

  • Climate change is the defining issue of our time.
  • We face a direct existential threat.

The United Kingdom Members of Parliament’ (MPs) call – Carbon neutral by 2050  

As a consequence of this Global Emergency, MPs are asking for changesto set a new Zero-emissions target before 2050, to improve on the current target of 80% reduction from the levels in 1990.

A group of MPs from the opposition, led by Jeremy Corbin stated: “… this House declares an environment and climate emergency following the finding of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that to avoid a more than 1.5°C rise in global warming, global emissions would need to fall by around 45 per cent from 2010 levels by 2030, reaching net zero by around 2050…”

The current situation – Measurement

There is no official definition of climate emergency. The carbon-neutral target is a basis that is enabling all parties to have a common understanding and come together to take action.

The companies – Are targets aligned?
Interestingly , not all major oil businesses have yet to set targets aligned with the requirements of people or governments . Of course, they are one of the biggest contributors to achieving or missing these targets.