The CAT Thermometer

The temperatures on the CAT thermometer are ‘median’ warming estimates in 2100. This means that there is a 50% chance that the calculated temperature would be exceeded if the given emissions pathway is followed.

For example, there is a 50% chance that warming associated with our pledges and targets scenario exceeds 2.1°C in 2100.

Using probabilities to provide more information

The ‘median’ is based on the probability distribution generated by the climate model (MAGICC7) when it takes into account uncertainties in our knowledge of climate sensitivity, the carbon cycle, and effect of greenhouse gases, aerosols, and other factors that are used to calculate the temperatures. The probability distribution enables us to provide more information for policy makers and stakeholders about the likelihood of goals being met, or specific temperatures being exceeded.

October 2024 NDCs are likely below 2.9°C and above 99.8% chance of exceeding 1.5°C

Based on the 2030 targets only, end of century will be 2.6°C, with over a 99.7% probability of exceeding 1.5°C. If one includes binding long-term targets, we estimate end of century warming to be 2.1°C, which is likely below 2.3°C and over a 94.3% chance of exceeding 1.5°C.

The CAT has also analysed the effect of net zero emission targets adopted or under discussion in over 140 countries and found that warming could be as low as 1.9˚C by 2100. While an estimate that comes under the 2°C level is an important milestone, it must be stressed that this is based on only a 50 / 50 chance that warming will indeed be limited to 1.9°C by 2100 and 1.9°C at its peak. While the level of warming in 2100, in probabilistic terms, is “likely” to be below 2.1°C, the same is not true of the peak level of warming in this century.

What governments need to do to achieve the global goal

The IPCC Special Report on 1.5°C shows that steep emissions reductions are urgent, but feasible, and will still deliver the many benefits associated with 1.5°C-compatible pathways in terms of avoided climate-change impacts, as well as cleaner air, increased employment in the renewable energy sector, access to modern energy, etc.

The IPCC Special Report on 1.5°C shows that even starting from emission levels implied by NDCs and current policy projections, 1.5°C and 2°C pathways are still technically feasible. However, the resulting emission pathways are increasingly expensive as they are not consistent with the most cost-efficient policies. Slower-than-optimal emission reductions early on need to be followed by faster reductions later on, effectively leading to significantly higher costs for the period 2030–2050 than would otherwise be needed. While the challenges are significant, limiting warming to below 1.5°C by the end of the century is still feasible from current emissions levels. However, with every decade lost, these challenges and costs rise and will, at some point, become insurmountable with warming locked in to 1.5 or 2°C and above.

For more information on the global emission pathways and how they are calculated, please see refer to our methodology section.

For the latest on NDC updates, please refer to our Climate Target Update Tracker.

If you use the provided data or any of the graphs provided on this website, please make sure to reference the Climate Action Tracker and the Climate Analytics / NewClimate Institute team!

Last update: 25 October 2024

Climate Action Tracker (2024). The CAT Thermometer. November 2024. Available at: https://climateactiontracker.org/global/cat-thermometer/ Copyright © 2024 by Climate Analytics and NewClimate Institute. All rights reserved