Page 101 - UPthEM_Program_Final_December 2020

UPthEM – Upskilling Pathways for Employability
№ 2019-1-BG01-KA204-062299

1. Reducing emissions of and stabilizing the levels of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere (“mitigation”); The goal of mitigation is to avoid significant human
interference with the climate system, and “stabilize greenhouse gas levels in a timeframe
sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, ensure that food
production is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a
sustainable manner” (from the 2014 report on Mitigation of Climate Change from the
United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change).
2. Adapting to the climate change already in the pipeline (“adaptation”). The goal is to reduce
our vulnerability to the harmful effects of climate change (like sea-level encroachment,
more intense extreme weather events or food insecurity).
The private sector is a critical sector in addressing the needs of vulnerable communities and has
much to contribute to the development and implementation of climate adaption strategies,
including sector‐specific expertise, technology, financing, efficiency and entrepreneurial spirit.
In the age of globalization, countries’ economies are linked through a complex
inflow and outflow of goods, services, technology, capital, information and
labour. The interconnectedness of today’s global markets makes all economies
vulnerable to climate change, no matter where it occurs. If a climate event
happens in one part of the world, it will generate impact all over the world
(‘Butterfly Effect’)

Facts and figures:

• Nineteen of the 20 warmest years on record have occurred since 2001. The average global
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temperature has risen by 1 degree C since the 20 century with more significant warming
toward the poles than in the equatorial region.
• 30% of the Earth’s plants and animals have been lost since 1970
• 60% of the Earth’s ecosystem services have been degraded in the past 50 years
• Global sea level has risen nearly 178 mm over the past 100 years (at the beginning of 2019,
Indonesia announced its plans to move the capital city away from Jakarta, because some
parts of Jakarta are sinking rapidly)
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• The atmospheric carbon dioxide level for May 2020 was 417.16 parts per million and
continues to rise. It has reached the highest levels in 650,000 years. Scientists have warned
that carbon dioxide levels higher than 450 ppm are likely to lock in catastrophic and
irreversible changes in the climate. Around half of the CO2 emitted since 1750 has been in
the last 40 years.
• According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), China is currently the top
emitter of carbon dioxide, accounting for 30% of global carbon emissions. The United
States ranks as the second top emitter at 15%

• The transportation sector emits 14% of global greenhouse gas emissions

8 https://www.co2.earth/
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which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the
information contained therein.