The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) states in a new report that global warming will exceed 1.5 degrees, most likely within the next few years. At the same time, the message is clear: limiting warming to 1.5 degrees remains the goal. Viable Cities comments on the report: “The focus now is on limiting how much the temperature will exceed that threshold, how long it will last, and how quickly we can reverse the trend and return to below 1.5 degrees.”
It’s easy to feel discouraged by the UNEP report, but it’s not a message that justifies giving up. On the contrary. Every tenth of a degree that can be avoided reduces the risks to people, nature, and communities. Every year of lower emissions matters. The report states that even in a scenario where the 1.5-degree threshold is exceeded, the difference between, say, 1.8 and 2.0 degrees is enormous in terms of the consequences for ecosystems, life and health, the economy, and societal resilience.
In an increasingly warmer climate, extreme weather events such as heat waves, torrential rains, droughts, storms, and wildfires are becoming more common and more intense. Even in Sweden, we are seeing longer heat waves, heavier downpours, and changes in water availability. The risks vary across different parts of the country, but they are already affecting people’s daily lives, municipal planning, and societal infrastructure.
The fact that the world is now on track to exceed 1.5 degrees must not become a story about how it’s too late. Instead, it can become a story about why every tenth of a degree is still worth fighting for—and about the power of action that arises when many stakeholders work toward the same goal.
Viable Cities is already undertaking extensive work toward climate neutrality. Municipalities, business, academia , and civil society are developing new solutions, partnerships, and approaches every day. The transition isn’t something for the future—it’s happening right here, right now! In Sweden, 48 cities have set a goal to become climate-neutral by 2030, and they’re not alone. The transition is underway in hundreds of European cities and around the world.
There is significant power in a large number of people sharing the same goal. When people come together around a shared ambition, the chances of implementing the necessary changes increase. Then, the climate transition becomes not only a matter of reducing emissions, but also of safer energy systems, better public health, increased competitiveness, stronger emergency preparedness, stronger local communities, and a good life within the planet’s limits.
In recent weeks, people have taken to the streets in Stockholm and Gothenburg in droves to show their support for the climate transition and demand that policymakers act in line with the science. This is an expression of the same force that is driving the transition in Swedish cities.
1.5 degrees is still the goal. The power to achieve it lies with all the people, organizations, and cities that are already working together to drive the transition forward.
Update and Commentary – Viable Cities comments on events and publications in Sweden and internationally that influence efforts to accelerate the climate transition in cities
