The IEA, in its latest report (published 10th June 2013) paints a stark picture of the abysmal failure of collective action so far to halt (or even slow down) the rise in atmospheric CO2 concentrations. As a result, global average temperature is widely expected to breach the internationally agreed safe limit of 2 degrees C this century. The IEA calls for nothing less than an energy revolution to address this, one of the most important and urgent challenges humanity has ever faced. Their 4-point plan ("4 for 2 degrees C") is:
Adopting specific energy efficiency measures (49% of the emissions savings).
Limiting the construction and use of the least-efficient coal-fired power plants (21%).
Minimising methane (CH4) emissions from upstream oil and gas production (18%).
Accelerating the (partial) phase-out of subsidies to fossil-fuel consumption (12%).
The full report can be downloaded here.