RCP2.6: Exploring the possibility to keep global mean temperature increase below 2°C

The RCP2.6 emission and concentration pathway is representative of the literature on mitigation scenarios aiming to limit the increase of global mean temperature to 2 degrees C. These scenarios form the low end of the scenario literature in terms of emissions and radiative forcing. They often show negative emissions from energy use in the second half of the 21st century. The RCP2.6 scenario is shown to be technically feasible in the IMAGE integrated assessment modeling framework from a medium emission baseline scenario, assuming full participation of all countries. Cumulative emissions of greenhouse gases from 2010 to 2100 need to be reduced by 70% compared to a baseline scenario, requiring substantial changes in energy use and emissions of non-CO2 gases. These measures (specifically the use of bio-energy and reforestation measures) also have clear consequences for global land use. Based on the RCP2.6 scenario, recommendations for further research on low emission scenarios have been formulated. These include the response of the climate system to a radiative forcing peak, the ability of society to achieve the required emission reduction rates given political and social inertia and the possibilities to further reduce emissions of non-CO2 gases.

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Author van Vuuren, Detlef
Stehfest, Elke
den Elzen, Michel
Kram, Tom
van Vliet, Jasper
Deetman, Sebastiaan
Isaac, Morna
Klien Goldewijk, Kees
Hof, Andries
Mendoza Beltran, Angelica
Oostenrijk, Rineke
van Ruijven, Bastiaan
Publisher UCAR/NCAR - Library
Publication Date 2011-11-01T00:00:00
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) Not Assigned
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Topic Category geoscientificInformation
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Metadata Date 2023-08-18T18:48:33.595580
Metadata Record Identifier edu.ucar.opensky::articles:11776
Metadata Language eng; USA
Suggested Citation van Vuuren, Detlef, Stehfest, Elke, den Elzen, Michel, Kram, Tom, van Vliet, Jasper, Deetman, Sebastiaan, Isaac, Morna, Klien Goldewijk, Kees, Hof, Andries, Mendoza Beltran, Angelica, Oostenrijk, Rineke, van Ruijven, Bastiaan. (2011). RCP2.6: Exploring the possibility to keep global mean temperature increase below 2°C. UCAR/NCAR - Library. http://n2t.net/ark:/85065/d7k9386n. Accessed 28 March 2024.

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