Over several days prominent scientists, policy-makers, climate experts and civil society organisations gathered at the Tällberg Forum 2008, in Sweden, to discuss cutting edge research on climate change presented by leading scientists from Stockholm Environment Institute, NASA and several other institutions.

One of the key conclusions from the conference was that catastrophic effects of climate change cannot be ruled out if levels of greenhouse gasses above 350 parts per million (ppm) are maintained for a long time. It was previously thought that the safe zone to avoid the worst effects of climate change was 450 ppm.

Discussions in Tällberg suggested that to achieve 350 ppm it will be necessary for global emissions of greenhouse gases to:
 Peak within 5 years; and
 Decrease by 100% by 2050.

To reach these targets GHG emissions in the EU will need to decrease immediately and continue decreasing at a steady pace, as current climate targets of the EU do not deliver a world of 350 ppm. For the EU this is likely to mean a reduction of least 60% greenhouse gases by 2030 when compared to 1990 levels.