Pathways to Deep Decarbonization 2015 report.

Summary The 16 research teams mobilized in the project have elaborated and deepened their decarbonization trajectories compared to the 2014 report, refining their results and conclusions through several scenarios defining different possible decarbonization directions for a single country. On a global scale, the report shows that deep decarbonization of the current highest-emitting economies is technically feasible, while taking into account expected projections for population and economic growth. These decarbonization trends already appear to be compatible with the objective of a maximum of 2°C of warming by 2100 . and the various teams have identified even more drastic emission reduction potentials. In addition, in the future, these conclusions may be completed by other countries and by taking into account emissions from sources not analyzed by the DDPP (land use, industrial processes, etc.). The 2015 report particularly emphasizes the compatibility of decarbonization and economic and social development objectives. Indeed, decarbonization allows first of all to avoid the deleterious effects of climate change, and is in parallel with a strategy of significant improvement of essential services such as access to energy. Deep decarbonization strategies can contribute to the sustainable development of countries. Finally, the investments needed for deep decarbonization, of the order of 0.8% of GDP in 2020 (1.3% in 2050), do not represent a major additional cost compared to the investments needed in the absence of climate policies. Moreover, provided adequate signals are given in the long term, the reorientation of investments towards low-carbon technologies opens up significant commercial prospects. In the context of COP21, where an agreement for a new climate regime from 2020 onwards is currently being negotiated, decarbonization strategies are essential to inform the roadmaps for long-term choices, thus avoiding lock-in situations, particularly technological ones, which could ultimately slow down climate action and delay its effects.