The Paris-based intergovernmental body and the chief technology officers of 30 major companies issued a joint statement urging greater action to limit global temperature increases.

The statement says: “Dramatic greenhouse gas emission cuts are required. IEA studies have shown that halving current global CO2 emissions by 2050 is technically within our reach.

“To achieve this requires a stronger focus on energy efficiency measures and substantially decarbonised power and transport sectors by 2050. This means a revolution in the way modern society uses and produces energy.”

The IEA, which advises its 28 member states on energy policy, says the action is needed if the Copenhagen Accord target of limiting global temperature rise by two degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels included is to be achieved.

“The global energy system must be transformed to a low-carbon system,” the statement issued last Wednesday (March 10) says.

“This will require a dramatic ramp up of our annual investment in a portfolio of low-carbon energy technology solutions within the next decade bearing in mind technology shifts take decades to create material impacts.”

It urges government and private sector business “to work together closely” arguing more government support for low carbon economies will trigger more private sector action.

“A commitment exists to the development of technologies which will enable the transition to a low carbon economy,” the statement says.

“The challenge for both business and government is how to move forward with concrete activities.”

Among the companies supporting the joint statement are Philips Lighting, Renault, Siemens, Total, Toyota Motor Europe and Volkswagen AG.

To read the statement in in full click here.

David Gibbs

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