In 2024 global average annual temperature exceeded 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels for the first time. Greenhouse-gas emissions are rising and the timeline to reach net zero by 2050 is narrowing. Achieving net zero by mid-century requires rapid, large-scale transformations including nearly doubling electricity generation and tripling renewable capacity by 2030. Heavy industries must move to near-zero emissions while carbon-removal methods such as enhanced rock weathering must scale a thousandfold by 2050. Major barriers include system complexity, slow innovation and workforce shortages. AI can improve efficiency, accelerate innovation and expand capacity to act, but operational impacts must be managed.
In 2024, the global average annual temperature exceeded 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels for the first time. Greenhouse-gas emissions are rising, and the window to reach net zero by 2050 is closing fast. Artificial intelligence (AI) systems can play a crucial part by improving energy and resource-use efficiency, accelerating innovation and expanding people's capacity to act. But without swift, deliberate effort, this opportunity could slip away.
Electricity generation must nearly double by 2050 as transport, heating systems and industries shift from fossil fuels to electric power. Renewable-energy capacity must triple by the end of this decade to meet the rising demand without simultaneously increasing emissions. Steel, cement, chemical and other industries - which are responsible for almost one-third of global carbon-dioxide emissions - must shift to near-zero emissions, even though affordable, scalable alternatives are limited.
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