> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://www.bilancarbone-methode.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://www.bilancarbone-methode.com/english/introduction-to-the-low-carbon-transition/pourquoi-une-demarche-de-transition-bas-carbone.md). # Why a low-carbon transition approach?

Source: Pexels

## Context: 2024 was the [hottest year](/english/annexes/bibliographie.md#evolutions-climatiques) ever recorded. Before it, the period 2015–2022 concentrated the 8 hottest years ever recorded. The symbolic threshold of an average warming of more than 2° was crossed [on a single day in 2023](/english/annexes/bibliographie.md#evolutions-climatiques) (against a currently estimated average warming of +1.4°C). Year after year and record after record, climate change and its consequences are becoming ever more intense: unprecedented forest fires in Canada, record heatwaves in Brazil with a heat index exceeding 55°C, floods in Bangladesh affecting several million people. These consequences are not only occurring abroad but are manifesting more strongly year after year in France. The CGDD, [in a 2020 publication](/english/annexes/bibliographie.md#evolutions-climatiques)**, highlighted that 6 out of 10 French people are affected by climate risk** and that the annual frequency of so-called "very serious" accidents (at least 10 deaths and/or more than 30 million euros (M€) in damage) has almost quadrupled over the last two decades compared to the four previous ones. The [6th Assessment Report (AR6)](/english/annexes/bibliographie.md#evolutions-climatiques) of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), approved by the 195 UN member states, is the **reference** on the state of scientific knowledge on the climate. It [confirms](/english/annexes/bibliographie.md#evolutions-climatiques) the conclusions of previous reports: human influence on the climate is unequivocal. The hottest years we have experienced so far will be among the coolest within a generation. [Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions](/english/annexes/glossaire.md#gaz-a-effet-de-serre-ges) from the past have caused profound changes in all components of the climate system. Continued emissions worsen the impacts of climate change. Many changes are irreversible on centennial to millennial timescales. The choices and actions implemented during the current decade will therefore have repercussions today and for thousands of years. In the absence of rapid, effective and equitable mitigation and adaptation measures, climate change increasingly threatens ecosystems, biodiversity, livelihoods, the health and well-being of current and future generations. Technical, political and societal solutions already exist in all sectors and are well identified. ## Framework objectives ### At the international level To address this challenge, the [Paris Agreement](/english/annexes/bibliographie.md#evolutions-climatiques), drafted at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21 – UNFCCC), proposes to maintain "the increase in the global average temperature well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels" and to pursue efforts "to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels". ### At the European level The European Green Deal aims for carbon neutrality at the European scale by 2050. To make this objective legally binding, the [European Climate Law](/english/annexes/bibliographie.md#evolutions-climatiques) sets a net greenhouse gas emission reduction target of at least -55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. ### At the French level Finally, these framework objectives are translated at the French level through the National Low-Carbon Strategy ([SNBC](/english/annexes/bibliographie.md#evolutions-climatiques)), which also targets carbon neutrality in 2050 (which in France implies dividing greenhouse gas emissions on its territory by 6 compared to 1990). It also sets objectives by period (carbon budgets), by sector of activity, as well as objectives on reducing the carbon footprint of French citizens and on increasing territorial carbon sinks. It is periodically updated according to the degree of achievement of the first carbon budgets. ## Issues > *"We have already reached 1.2 degrees and this trend is intensifying," said the UN Secretary-General in his communiqué. "Warming has accelerated in recent decades. Every fraction of a degree counts. Greenhouse gas concentrations are reaching record levels. Extreme weather and climate disasters are becoming more frequent and intense."* > > António Guterres, 2021, United Nations Secretary-General. **Almost 10 years after the Paris Agreement, international action is still awaited**. Global GHG emissions have still not begun to decline (and are even continuing to increase, albeit at a slower pace) whereas limiting warming to +2° would require a reduction in global GHG emissions of [64% by 2050 and 84% to limit warming to +1.5°](/english/annexes/bibliographie.md#evolutions-climatiques). Current public policies at the global level are therefore insufficient and would lead, without reinforcement, to a planetary warming [estimated at +3.2° by 2100](/english/annexes/bibliographie.md#evolutions-climatiques). A catastrophic scenario, to say the least. France's emission reduction objectives, although ambitious in their projections (i.e. the carbon neutrality target by 2050 using an inventory approach), have however been slow to produce their first effects. More recently, however, France's gross emissions have indeed declined. Thus, in 2023 a decrease of 4.8% compared to 2022 was observed, with a reduction in GHG emissions across all major sectors **thus making it possible to meet, on average, the SNBC2 objectives for the 2019–2023 period (2nd carbon budget)**, excluding carbon sinks. These recent downward trends in emissions are therefore encouraging (France's carbon footprint is also gradually declining since the 2010s) but as [the High Council for the Climate](/english/annexes/bibliographie.md#evolutions-climatiques) indicates, the decline in gross emissions must still affirm its structural character. ✅ The urgency of action to reduce our GHG emissions is therefore ever more pressing **and the need for** [**low-carbon transition approaches**](/english/introduction-to-the-low-carbon-transition/quest-ce-quune-demarche-de-transition-bas-carbone.md) (i.e. towards a less emissive societal model) now takes on a vital character. {% hint style="info" %} **To go further:** These introductory elements are an essential prerequisite for a Bilan Carbone® approach. They must be known, understood and mastered by the stakeholders involved and will be addressed in the [Engagement](/3-mobilisation-des-parties-prenantes/3-introduction-a-la-mobilisation.md) step. They are further detailed in the [awareness and outreach resources](/english/annexes/annexes/annexe-9-ressources-pour-la-mobilisation.md) on the issues. {% endhint %} *** *Do you have a question about the content?* [*Consult the FAQ*](/english/annexes/faq.md)*. The method is a living document and therefore subject to change (clarifications, additions): find the* [*change log here*](/english/readme/historique-et-suivi-des-modifications.md)*.* --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. 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