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The world is now almost certainly facing a rise in global temperatures due to human activities. To limit this increase to 2°C or less above pre-industrial levels, stronger action is needed now to cut emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), with the aim of reaching zero net emissions by 2100. The long-term nature of this challenge may tempt countries to delay – or continue to delay – taking action. That would be a mistake. Because CO2 lingers in the atmosphere for centuries or even longer, the sooner we curb emissions, the better our chances of limiting the temperature rise.