These are in fact the main causes of the increase in emissions of gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (NOx). These gases trap the sun’s heat, preventing it from returning into space. This is how they heat the atmosphere, leading to significant changes in global climate dynamics.

The consequences of climate change include an increase in average global temperatures, melting glaciers and polar icecaps and the consequent rise in sea levels, more intense and frequent extreme weather events (storms, floods, droughts, hurricanes), impacts on the ecosystem, desertification and loss of biodiversity.

Global warming caused by human activities is now increasing at a rate of 0.2ºC per decade. A 2º increase compared with the pre-industrial age means grave impacts on the environment and human wellbeing and health. This is why the international community has recognised the need to keep global warming well below 2ºC and is striving to limit it to1.5ºC.