Is Regaining Control of Global Warming at 1.5 Degrees Possible?

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October 10, 2025

Is The 1.5°C Climate Goal Slipping Away? Experts Weigh in

Activists at the COP climate conference held last year in Baku, Azerbaijan. Focus is shifting towards realistically addressing potential warming beyond the Paris Agreement’s initial target. (Placeholder Image)

The internationally agreed-upon goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is facing increasing scrutiny as scientists acknowledge a growing probability of exceeding this threshold. Nearly 200 nations initially pledged to this target under the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement, but recent data suggests the ambition may be increasingly difficult to achieve.Discussions are now turning toward planning for a potential “temperature overshoot” and its far-reaching consequences.

Understanding The 1.5°C Target and The Concept of ‘Overshoot’

The 1.5-degree target represents a long-term aspiration to constrain global warming, and its increasingly accepted this may involve temporary periods where temperatures surpass the limit. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) acknowledges the possibility of “no or limited overshoot,” where temperatures briefly rise above 1.5°C before being brought back down.Reaching net-zero carbon emissions by the early 2050s remains crucial to this scenario.

However, the conversation often overlooks the potential for ‘high overshoot’ – warming exceeding 1.5°C by a more substantial margin, possibly 0.1 to 0.3 degrees,sustained over decades. The larger the overshoot, the greater the challenges in reducing emissions and the more severe the impacts on ecosystems and communities worldwide, ranging from intensified droughts to increased flooding.

Did You know? According to the World Meteorological Organization, there’s now an 86% chance of at least one year exceeding 1.5°C of warming within the next five years.

Current National Climate Pledges Fall short

Analysis of current national climate action plans – known as Nationally Steadfast Contributions, or NDCs – reveals a notable ambition gap. Even if fully implemented, these pledges would only limit warming to just under 2 degrees Celsius. A recent study published in Nature Climate Change quantified the disconnect between national commitments and the 1.5°C goal.this disparity is particularly concerning given the IPCC’s guidance on overshoot limits.

Currently, global policies are projected to reduce emissions by only approximately 5.6% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels, falling far short of the approximately 43% reduction needed to stay on track for 1.5°C, as outlined by the IPCC.

Metric	Current Situation (2024)	target for 1.5°C goal (2030)
Emissions Reduction (vs 2019)	~5.6%	~43%
NDC Alignment with 1.5°C	2 out of 69 tracked countries	All countries

The Need For Realistic Planning

The possibility of exceeding the 1.5°C target does not render the goal unattainable. However, it necessitates a pragmatic shift in approach. Policymakers and scientists must actively consider scenarios involving high overshoot and develop strategies for mitigation, adaptation, and climate finance accordingly. Increased scientific guidance on managing potential overshoot scenarios is essential.

Pro Tip: Investing in carbon dioxide removal technologies will become increasingly crucial,but current investment levels are significantly below what’s required.

The upcoming COP 30 climate conference will be a critical chance to encourage greater ambition in national climate plans. Though, some beleive that the private sector may ultimately drive more significant climate action due to bureaucratic hurdles within national governments.

Ultimately, facing the reality of a potential high overshoot is essential for effective planning. Only by acknowledging this possibility can we navigate the challenges and build a more resilient future.

Long-Term Implications and Ongoing Research

The debate surrounding the 1.5°C target highlights the complexities of climate modeling and the uncertainties inherent in predicting future warming. Continued research is vital to refine these models, improve our understanding of climate feedback loops, and assess the effectiveness of various mitigation and adaptation strategies. The growth of robust carbon removal technologies, alongside dramatic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, will be essential to any pathway towards a more sustainable future.

Frequently asked Questions About the 1.5°C Target

• What is the 1.5°C target? The 1.5°C target refers to limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees celsius above pre-industrial levels, a goal established in the Paris Agreement.
• What does ‘overshoot’ mean in the context of climate change? Overshoot refers to a scenario where global temperatures temporarily exceed the 1.5°C target before potentially being brought back down through mitigation efforts.
• Is the 1.5°C target still achievable? While increasingly challenging, the 1.5°C target remains technically feasible, but requires significantly greater ambition and action.
• What are NDCs and why are they importent? NDCs, or Nationally Determined Contributions, are the climate pledges made by individual countries under the Paris Agreement.
• What role do carbon removal technologies play? Carbon removal technologies coudl become crucial for drawing down atmospheric carbon dioxide, especially in overshoot scenarios, but significant investment is needed.

What are your thoughts on the feasibility of the 1.5°C target? Do you believe current national climate plans are ambitious enough? Share your opinions in the comments below!

What specific, measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are required annually to stay within the 1.5°C warming limit, and are current global efforts on track to meet these reductions?

The Current Trajectory & Warming Limits

The Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, above pre-industrial levels remains a critical benchmark. As of October 10, 2025, we are already experiencing approximately 1.2 degrees Celsius of warming. This has resulted in increasingly frequent and intense extreme weather events – heatwaves, droughts, floods, and wildfires – globally. The latest IPCC reports indicate that exceeding 1.5°C considerably increases the risk of irreversible climate impacts. Current national pledges (Nationally Steadfast Contributions or NDCs) are insufficient to meet this target, putting us on track for closer to 2.5-3°C of warming by the end of the century. This necessitates a drastic and immediate shift in global climate action.

Key Factors Influencing the 1.5°C Target

Several interconnected factors determine whether regaining control and limiting warming to 1.5°C is still achievable. These include:

* greenhouse Gas emissions: Primarily carbon dioxide (CO2) from fossil fuel combustion, but also methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases. Rapid and deep reductions across all sectors are paramount.

* Carbon Sinks: Natural carbon sinks like forests, oceans, and soils absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. Protecting and enhancing these sinks is crucial. deforestation, land degradation, and ocean acidification diminish their capacity.

* Technological Advancements: Innovation in renewable energy, carbon capture and storage (CCS), and other climate technologies can accelerate decarbonization.

* Policy & Political Will: Strong governmental policies, international cooperation, and sustained political commitment are essential to drive the necessary changes.

* Climate Feedback loops: Processes that amplify or diminish the initial warming effect. Examples include melting permafrost releasing methane, and reduced ice cover decreasing Earth’s reflectivity (albedo).

Decarbonization Pathways: What Needs to Happen?

Achieving the 1.5°C target requires a systemic transformation across all sectors of the economy. Hear’s a breakdown of key areas:

* Energy Transition:

1. Rapidly phasing out fossil fuels: Coal, oil, and natural gas must be replaced with renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal.
2. Investing in energy storage: Battery technology, pumped hydro storage, and other solutions are needed to address the intermittency of renewable energy.
3. Improving energy efficiency: Reducing energy consumption through building retrofits, efficient appliances, and industrial process optimization.

* Transportation:

* Electrification of vehicles: Transitioning to electric cars, buses, and trucks.

* Lasting aviation fuels: Developing and deploying low-carbon alternatives to traditional jet fuel.

* Investing in public transportation: Expanding and improving public transit systems to reduce reliance on private vehicles.

* Industry:

* Decarbonizing industrial processes: Utilizing renewable energy, CCS, and alternative materials.

* Circular economy principles: Reducing waste and promoting reuse and recycling.

* Green hydrogen: Utilizing hydrogen produced from renewable energy as a fuel and feedstock.

* Agriculture & Land Use:

* Sustainable agriculture practices: Reducing emissions from livestock, fertilizers, and land clearing.

* Reforestation & afforestation: Planting trees to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere.

* Protecting existing forests: Preventing deforestation and promoting sustainable forest management.

The Role of Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR)

Even with aggressive emissions reductions, some level of CDR will likely be necessary to limit warming to 1.5°C. CDR technologies include:

* Afforestation/Reforestation: planting trees remains a cost-effective and readily available CDR method.

* Direct Air Capture (DAC): Technologies that directly remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Currently expensive but rapidly developing.

* Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS): Using biomass for energy and capturing the resulting CO2.

* Enhanced Weathering: Accelerating natural weathering processes to absorb CO2.

* Ocean Fertilization: Controversial method involving adding nutrients to the ocean to stimulate phytoplankton growth. (Requires careful consideration of ecological impacts).

Cybersecurity & climate Action: An Emerging Threat

As highlighted by the World economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025, the increasing reliance on digital infrastructure for climate monitoring, energy grids, and carbon markets introduces new cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Attacks on these systems could disrupt climate action efforts and even exacerbate warming.protecting critical infrastructure from cyber threats is now an integral part of climate resilience. This includes securing smart grids, climate data platforms, and carbon trading systems.

benefits of Limiting Warming to 1.5°C

the benefits of staying within the 1.5°C limit are substantial:

* Reduced extreme Weather: Fewer heatwaves, droughts, floods, and wildfires.

* Preservation of Ecosystems: Protecting biodiversity and preventing widespread species extinction.

* Improved Human Health: Reducing heat-related illnesses and air pollution.

* Economic Stability: Avoiding the most catastrophic economic impacts of climate change.

* Food Security: Maintaining agricultural productivity and preventing widespread food shortages.