Technology availability, sector policies and behavioral change are complementary strategies for achieving net-zero emissions.
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Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 39353914.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-024-52424-0 and PMC identifier 11445258.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
In this study, we analyze the effects of technology availability, political coordination, and behavioral change on transformation pathways toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union by 2050. We implemented an iterative stakeholder dialogue to co-design the scenarios that were calculated using a global multi-regional energy-economy-land-climate model. We find that in scenarios without behavioral change and with restriction of technologies, the target of greenhouse gas neutrality in the European Union cannot be reached. Already a target of 200 Mt CO<sub>2</sub>eq/yr requires CO<sub>2</sub> prices above 100 €/tCO<sub>2</sub> in 2030 across all sectors in all scenarios. The required CO<sub>2</sub> price can increase to up to 450 €/tCO<sub>2</sub> by 2030 if technologies are constrained, if no complementary regulatory measures are implemented, and if changes in consumer behavior towards a more sustainable lifestyle do not materialize.