Plausibility of CO2 emissions scenarios

Researchers report that RCP8.5, a high-emissions climate planning scenario that has been characterized as extreme, agrees with historical carbon dioxide emissions to within 1% and is consistent with expected outcomes of current and announced policies through 2050, suggesting that RCP8.5 has continued utility for climate assessments.

Article #20-07117: “RCP8.5 tracks cumulative CO2 emissions,” by Christopher R. Schwalm, Spencer Glendon, and Philip B. Duffy.

MEDIA CONTACT: Heather Goldstone, Woods Hole Research Center, Falmouth, MA; tel: 508-685-2092; e-mail:

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