The world’s energy sector could slash carbon emissions by 70% by 2050 and eliminate them altogether a decade later – while simultaneously boosting the global economy, according to a new study from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The organisations said wider deployment of renewables and energy efficiency measures – allied with large-scale greening of sectors such as transport and buildings – could by 2050 limit warming to no more than two degrees above pre-industrial temperatures.