Global carbon budget

The global carbon budget refers to the total amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) that can be emitted into the atmosphere while still keeping global warming below a certain level, like 1.5°C or 2°C above pre-industrial times. It considers emissions from burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and other sources, balanced against natural processes that absorb CO₂. Once this budget is used up, additional emissions could lead to dangerous climate change. Monitoring and managing this budget helps guide policies to reduce emissions and limit warming to safer levels.