Climate Action Network South Asia welcomed the launch of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) latest report in Berlin today which shows that avoiding catastrophic climate change is still possible, but only with rapid and sustained cuts to carbon pollution.   

The report points to the benefits of increasing the use of pollution-free renewable power and phasing out dirty fossil fuels in the long term. In addition to highlighting the need to transform the energy system, the IPCC says other solutions to the climate crisis include using energy more efficiently, and investing in better transport and building technologies.

For the world to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, the report points out that the use of zero and low carbon energy sources will need to at least triple by 2050. To fund the transition, the IPCC said at least USD30 billion per year would be needed to be divested from dirty energy over the coming decades, while investments in renewable power would need to double.

The third installment of the IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report - which involves over 800 scientists synthesising the latest findings in the field - has raised pressure on government leaders to act as it has outlined how cutting pollution now will be cheaper and more effective.

“This report shows that we have the solutions to the climate crisis,” said Climate Action Network South Asia Director Sanjay Vashist. “But with the high levels of carbon pollution which is still on the rise, it is evident that a lot needs to be done, and faster, to accelerate the transition from dirty energy to clean, renewable power.”

The transition to renewable energy will provide massive benefits ranging from energy security, new jobs, good business and improved public health.

“Changing from polluting to renewables not only will reduce the human print on the environment, but also would create many jobs which will be in the green sector. It will be development, which is with a sense of sustainability,” said Climate Action Network South Asia Member of the of the Board of Directors, Ranga Pallawala. He is also a Director at Janathakashan, an organisation that focuses on renewable energy, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.

“As the impacts of climate change are felt we cannot stay without taking action to address the impacts caused by it. The AR5 Reports of the IPCC has clearly indicated the human activity as the cause of climate change. Policy makers cannot ignore science, and the evidence that is available to show the dire consequences of inaction. We need to act now, if we are to look at a world which is healthy for dwelling,” said Climate Action Network South Asia.Outreach and Advocacy Coordinator Vositha Wijenayake.

 But it’s time for Sri Lanka to show its commitment to climate action on the world stage. Climate Action Network South Asia  urged President Mahinda Rajapaksa to commit towards increasing climate action at the United Nations’ Secretary-General’s Climate Summit in September 2014, in order to lay the groundwork for a strong global treaty that is due to be signed in Paris in 2015.