The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which acts as the scientific arm of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, has already issued its final warning: we need to reduce CO2 emissions in the atmosphere by 48% by 2030 and virtually zero them by 2050 if we want to keep the average global temperature increase to 1.5°C by the year 2100.
In its latest report, published in 2023, the IPCC found that human activity has warmed the atmosphere in an unprecedented way. From 2011 to 2020, the average temperature rose by 1.09°C compared to the period from 1850 to 1900. Of this total, 1.07°C is attributable to human actions.
According to the organization, with each temperature increase, changes become more significant in terms of regional average temperature, precipitation, and soil moisture. In other words, abnormal and extreme climatic phenomena - such as the devastating floods in Rio Grande do Sul, heat waves in the northern hemisphere, and extreme droughts in the Amazon - are becoming increasingly common.
The Paris Agreement: the origin of the 1.5°C target and the concept of "net-zero"
To avoid these scenarios, the Paris Agreement was established in 2015 with the goal of keeping the average global warming well below 2°C by the year 2100, with efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.
On one hand, this reduction would be achieved with significant cuts in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by countries and companies; on the other hand, it would also be achieved by increasing the capture of carbon from the atmosphere, such as through conservation and ecosystem restoration activities. The goal is to reach the scenario known as "net-zero," which represents the balance between CO2 emissions into the atmosphere and what is captured, after reducing all possible emissions.
There is still a chance to meet the goals, but the window of opportunity is closing
According to the Climate Action Tracker, which monitors global climate commitments of countries and companies, the Earth's surface is expected to warm by an average of 2.7°C by 2100 if current policies are maintained. Even in the best scenario in which long-term corporate and national goals fully achieved, we would still reach a 1.8°C rise in temperature.
It is still possible to aim to limit warming to an increase of 1.5°C in global temperature, but countries and companies need to immediately move towards a net-zero scenario. This requires both reducing their own emissions and offsetting residual emissions (those that cannot be reduced) using complementary tools such as high-integrity carbon credits.
The importance of ecosystem regeneration for a low-carbon economy
Ecosystem regeneration is vital for increasing the removal of CO2 from the atmosphere and providing essential resources for life such as water and climate regulation, also known as ecosystem services.
In addition to being one of the most efficient ways to remove CO2, regeneration can generate carbon credits that contribute to its economic viability. As commodities with defined financial value, these credits can be sold to organizations that need to offset emissions that cannot be reduced in any other way.
Biomas was born with the objective of regenerating Brazilian ecosystems on a large scale
At Biomas, we restore ecosystems with native vegetation, aligning biodiversity enhancement and social transformation. We work to scale up the ecological restoration industry and help Brazil take global leadership in the transition to a low-carbon economy.
As a society, we already have the necessary tools to curb global warming and mitigate the climate changes that threaten the planet without giving up social development. It is time to act!