Decarbonization means reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that society produces and increasing the absorption of these gases. This involves changing many, if not all, aspects of the economy, from the way energy is produced to how goods and services are manufactured and delivered, to how buildings are constructed, and land is managed.
To achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and maintain the 1.5°C target, governments and businesses must rapidly decarbonize by 2030. Significant decarbonization requires substantial investments in low-carbon infrastructure and transportation, renewable energy sources, a circular economy, resource efficiency, and land and soil restoration. It also necessitates a reassessment of current economic models that prioritize growth at all costs.