22 June 2016: The first five months of 2016 have served as a reminder of the urgency of mitigating climate change as each month, January-May, has set global temperature records, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). On 17 June, the WMO announced May’s record, saying combined average temperature over land and ocean surfaces was 0.87°C above the 20th century average of 14.8°C. May is the 13th consecutive month to set a global temperature high.

Drawing on data released by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the WMO reported that the Northern hemisphere had its hottest spring on record, this year to date is the hottest, and the South Pole surpassed 400 parts per million (ppm) in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration – the final spot on Earth to do so. A number of data released also revealed regional or national trends, including high sea levels and unprecedented bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef. [WMO Press Release]

In the Paris Agreement, governments agreed on the need for global emissions to peak as soon as possible, recognizing that this will take longer for developing countries, and to undertake rapid reductions thereafter in accordance with the best available science. Furthermore, governments committed to take mitigation action as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 (Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts), and SDG 7 (Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all) also relates to mitigation action. While the science shows the dire consequences of inaction, this Mitigation Update highlights that many different actors are working toward accelerated mitigation.

Australian Religious Leaders Call for Climate Action to Protect Great Barrier Reef

The stress the Great Barrier Reef is experiencing has garnered the attention of Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Quaker leaders, as well as theologians, in Australia. In an open letter to their country’s present and future policymakers, they call the Government’s decision, just weeks after signing the Paris Agreement, to approve new coal mines in the Galilee Basin “irresponsible.” Saying the approval reflects “an overly close relationship between our political representatives and fossil fuel industries,” they “urge all those holding public office to hold in proper focus our responsibilities as signatories to the Paris Agreement.” [Divesting from Fossil Fuels: Open Letter from Religious Leaders in Full]

Europe Reports Lowest Emissions Since 1990

Scotland announced last week that it has already hit its 2020 target to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 42% below 1990 levels. In 2014, its emissions were 41.9 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (MtCO2e), or 45.8% below the 1990 baseline. [Scottish Government Press Release]

In other European news, the European Environment Agency (EEA) released the EU’s annual GHG inventory, which will be submitted to the UNFCCC Secretariat as part of the Party’s reporting requirements. The findings indicate that 2014 saw a 4.1% reduction in emissions, bringing the EU to 24.4% below 1990 levels. Still, EEA Executive Director Hans Bruyninckx stressed the need to “further boost our investments in technology and innovation aimed at reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.” Along these lines, a fact sheet released by the European Commission outlined 24 energy projects financed under the Investment Plan for Europe. The sustainable, low-carbon projects will advance, inter alia, renewables, energy efficiency and smart grid.

The Commission’s release of the fact sheet coincided with the first day of the Commission’s ‘EU Sustainable Energy Week’ (EUSEW) Policy Conference, held 14-16 June to provide a platform to discuss new policy developments, best practices and sustainable energy ideas. EUSEW 2016 promoted energy-saving initiatives and the generation of power from clean, secure, efficient and renewable sources. [EEA Press Release] [European Commission Fact Sheet] [EUSEW Website] [EUSEW Press Release]

US Government, Private Sector Drive Renewable Energy and Storage Initiatives with Smart Markets

US President Barack Obama’s administration hosted a ‘Summit on Scaling Renewable Energy and Storage with Smart Markets’ on 16 June. The Summit highlighted actions from federal and state agencies, regulators, power companies, municipalities and energy developers that are expected to result in 1.3 gigawatts (GW) of additional storage procurement or deployment in the next five years. Storage can provide a means of ensuring renewable power is available when it is needed, as well as services to the grid to make it more reliable with high penetration of renewables, ultimately leading to a cleaner grid and emissions reductions. [White House Press Release]

IRENA Predicts Clean Energy Cost Reductions, New Solar Business Opportunity

With costs often cited as one of the barriers to climate change mitigation, three recent reports from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) highlight that, in fact, clean energy is projected to become increasingly more affordable while offering new business opportunities.

The first report, titled ‘The Power to Change: Solar and Wind Cost Reduction Potential to 2025,’ predicts that the significant cost reductions witnessed over the past five years, which have allowed renewables to reach grid parity with fossil fuels in many markets, are likely to continue in the foreseeable future. The report projects that, with the right policies in place, average electricity costs could decrease 59% for solar photovoltaic (PV), 35% for offshore wind, 26% for onshore wind and 37%-43% for concentrated solar power (CSP) compared to 2015. [IRENA Press Release] [IRENA Publication Webpage] [The Power to Change: Solar and Wind Cost Reduction Potential to 2025]

The second report, prepared in partnership with the International Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (IEA-PVPS), finds that the recycling of decommissioned solar panels represents a business opportunity of a magnitude of US$15 billion. According to the report, titled ‘End-of-Life Management: Solar Photovoltaic Panels,’ global PV panel waste, largely composed of glass, could reach 78 million tonnes by 2050. To help secure the sustainable use of this significant emissions-free energy technology, the report recommends: adopting PV-specific waste regulation; promoting innovation in panel waste management; and expanding waste management infrastructure to include end-of-life treatment of PV panels. [IRENA Press Release] [IRENA Publication Webpage] [IEA-PVPS Publication Webpage] [End-of-Life Management: Solar Photovoltaic Panels]

The third report, titled ‘Letting in the Light: How Solar Photovoltaics Will Revolutionize the Electricity System,’ finds that the share of global electricity generated by solar PV could increase from 2% today to as much as 13% by 2030. The report indicates that the solar industry is poised for massive expansion, driven primarily by cost reductions. [Letting in the Light] [IRENA Press Release]

Solar Impulse Crosses the Atlantic

In other solar news, the 100%-solar-powered aircraft Solar Impulse is continuing its journey around the world, taking off from New York City, US, on 20 June for Seville, Spain. After Spain, the airplane will return to its starting point, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon toured the aircraft during its visit to New York, praising its environmental contributions, especially toward the climate change targets under the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda. The UN has directly supported the Solar Impulse through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which is currently working toward a market-based measure (MBM) to encourage GHG emission reductions in the international aviation sector. [UNFCCC Press Release] [ICAO Press Release]