Global emissions gap remains for 2050 net-zero pledges
The Paris Agreement implies that greenhouse gas emissions must fall significantly, according to the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, or PBL. The agency says global carbon dioxide emissions need to reach net zero around 2050 to limit the rise in average global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius, while a sizeable gap remains in current net-zero pledges.
The Paris Agreement implies that greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced significantly, according to the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, known as PBL. The agency’s assessment identifies a sizeable gap remaining in global emissions by 2050 under current net-zero pledges.
PBL states that global carbon dioxide emissions must reach net zero around 2050 to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The source does not provide a numerical estimate for the size of the emissions gap or specify which pledges are included in the assessment.
The available information describes the relationship between the Paris Agreement’s temperature objective, required emissions reductions and the timing of global net-zero carbon dioxide emissions. It does not detail individual countries, sectors, policies or implementation schedules.
THE QUESTIONS THIS EVENT LEAVES BEHIND
What assumptions determine the size of the projected emissions gap?
Which countries or sectors account for the largest share of the remaining gap?
What enforcement mechanisms exist for the net-zero pledges assessed?
How would delayed emissions reductions change the measures required later?
What conditions would be needed for global carbon dioxide emissions to reach net zero around 2050?
YOUR QUESTION
Does this story leave you with another question?
Send us the question the report did not answer. It may become the next question IAQ investigates.
GLOBAL CURIOSITY MAP · SEPTEMBER 2026