Archive · 20 Jun 2025
Scientists Warn of Imminent Exhaustion of 1.5°C Carbon Budget
Scientists say we're using up our 'carbon budget' very quickly, meaning the amount of pollution the Earth can handle before getting too warm.
If we keep polluting at the current rate, we might pass the point of 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming in just a few years!
The world already got very hot last year.
To avoid more serious warming, we must drastically cut how much pollution we create.
This is something scientists are very worried about.
Scientists warn the carbon budget for 1.5°C warming may be exhausted in three years.
Global emissions are around 53 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually.
The year 2024 was the hottest on record, exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Breaching the 1.5°C target means emissions must be drastically cut.
There's a 70% chance the average global temperature will exceed 1.5°C between 2025 and 2029.
- Who
- An international group of scientists
- What
- The world is approaching the limit of its carbon budget for limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
- When
- The carbon budget for 1.5°C may be exhausted in approximately three years, based on current emissions data.
- Where
- Global
- Why
- To highlight the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming.
- Carbon budget exhaustion
- Likely in ~3 years
- Annual emissions
- 53 billion tonnes CO2e
- 2024 Temperature Increase
- More than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels
- 2025-2029 Temperature Prediction
- 70% chance exceeding 1.5°C
