Executive Summary of CATO Research Programme

The present world emission of CO2 is around 25 gigatonnes/year and is still increasing. The evidence for the influence of these emissions on the global climate is becoming stronger and stronger. Most scientists agree that in order to stabilise the CO2 concentration at twice the preindustrial level, i.e. at 550 ppm, the worldwide CO2 emissions have to be reduced with more than 50%. In 1997 concrete targets have been formulated in Kyoto for the gradual reduction in emissions. The required reductions in emissions (which are dominated by CO2 but also involve other greenhouse gases) can be realised by means of an integrated package of three groups of measures (Trias Energica).