A new study that looked at the carbon footprint of 18 countries between 2005 and 2015 found that with the right measures and policies in place, governments that turn away from fossil fuels towards renewables could achieve good progress in reducing their CO2 emissions. Researchers found that many countries in Europe, and the US, have decreased their emissions from fossil fuels, mostly with energy efficiency and demand reduction. One of the main messages that comes out of their analysis is that appropriate policies and regulations really matter and that there is still an available path to stabilizing global warming below 2C, a target set by the Paris Agreement. At a time when scientists are striving to find more effective ways of communicating the imminent threat of climate change, this study illustrates some positive news for policymakers.