Katana VentraIP

Climate change mitigation

Climate change mitigation (or decarbonisation) is action to limit the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that cause climate change. Climate change mitigation actions include conserving energy and replacing fossil fuels with clean energy sources. Secondary mitigation strategies include changes to land use and removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. Costs of climate change mitigation are estimated at around 1% and 2% of GDP.[1][2] Current climate change mitigation policies are insufficient as they would still result in global warming of about 2.7 °C by 2100,[3] significantly above the 2015 Paris Agreement's[4] goal of limiting global warming to below 2 °C.[5][6]

This article is about limiting climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions or removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. For supplementary climate technologies such as solar radiation management, see solar geoengineering. For actions focusing on politics and society, see climate movement.

Solar energy and wind power can replace fossil fuels at the lowest cost compared to other renewable energy options.[7] The availability of sunshine and wind is variable and can require electrical grid upgrades, such as using long-distance electricity transmission to group a range of power sources.[8] Energy storage can also be used to even out power output, and demand management can limit power use when power generation is low. Cleanly generated electricity can usually replace fossil fuels for powering transportation, heating buildings, and running industrial processes. Certain processes are more difficult to decarbonise, such as air travel and cement production. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) can be an option to reduce net emissions in these circumstances, although fossil fuel power plants with CCS technology is currently a high cost climate change mitigation strategy.[9]


Human land use changes such as agriculture and deforestation cause about 1/4th of climate change. These changes impact how much CO2 is absorbed by plant matter and how much organic matter decays or burns to release CO2. These changes are part of the fast carbon cycle, whereas fossil fuels release CO2 that was buried underground as part of the slow carbon cycle. Methane is a short lived greenhouse gas that is produced by decaying organic matter and livestock, as well as fossil fuel extraction. Land use changes can also impact precipitation patterns and the reflectivity of the surface of the Earth. It is possible to cut emissions from agriculture by reducing food waste, switching to a more plant-based diet (also referred to as low-carbon diet), and by improving farming processes.[10]


Various policies can encourage climate change mitigation. Carbon pricing systems have been set up that either tax CO2 emissions or cap total emissions and trade emission credits. Fossil fuel subsidies can be eliminated in favor of clean energy subsidies, and incentives offered for installing energy efficiency measures or switching to electric power sources.[11] Another issue is overcoming environmental objections when constructing new clean energy sources and making grid modifications.

is electricity generated by hydropower and plays a leading role in countries like Brazil, Norway and China.[57] but there are geographical limits and environmental issues.[58] Tidal power can be used in coastal regions.

Hydroelectricity

can provide energy for electricity, heat and transport. Bioenergy, in particular biogas, can provide dispatchable electricity generation.[59] While burning plant-derived biomass releases CO2, the plants withdraw CO2 from the atmosphere while they grow. The technologies for producing, transporting and processing a fuel have a significant impact on the lifecycle emissions of the fuel.[60] For example, aviation is starting to use renewable biofuels.[61]

Bioenergy

is electrical power generated from geothermal energy. Geothermal electricity generation is currently used in 26 countries.[62][63] Geothermal heating is in use in 70 countries.[64]

Geothermal power

Negative side effects[edit]

Mitigation measures can also have negative side effects and risks.[91]: TS-133  In agriculture and forestry, mitigation measures can affect biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.[91]: TS-87  In renewable energy, mining for metals and minerals can increase threats to conservation areas.[276] There is some research into ways to recycle solar panels and electronic waste. This would create a source for materials so there is no need to mine them.[277][278]


Scholars have found that discussions about risks and negative side effects of mitigation measures can lead to deadlock or the feeling that there are insuperable barriers to taking action.[278]

Removing unhelpful subsidies: Many countries provide subsidies for activities that affect emissions. For example, significant are present in many countries.[295] Phasing-out fossil fuel subsidies is crucial to address the climate crisis.[296] It must however be done carefully to avoid protests[297] and making poor people poorer.[298]

fossil fuel subsidies

Regulatory standards: These set technology or performance standards. They can be effective in addressing the of informational barriers.[294]: 412  If the costs of regulation are less than the benefits of addressing the market failure, standards can result in net benefits.

market failure

Market-based instruments such as emission taxes and charges. An emissions tax requires domestic emitters to pay a fixed fee or tax for every tonne of CO2-eq GHG emissions they release into the atmosphere.: 4123  If every emitter were to face the same level of tax, emitters would choose the lowest cost way of achieving emission reductions first. In the real world, however, markets are not perfect. This means that an emissions tax may deviate from this ideal. Distributional and equity considerations usually result in differential tax rates for different sources.

[294]

Tradable permits: A can limit emissions.[294]: 415  A number of permits are distributed equal to the emission limit. Each liable entity must hold the number of permits equal to its actual emissions. A tradable permit system can be cost-effective if costs are not excessive. There must also be no significant imperfections in the permit market and markets relating to emitting activities.

permit system

Voluntary agreements: These are agreements between governments, often in the form of public agencies, and industry.: 417  Agreements may relate to general issues, such as research and development. In other cases they may involve quantitative targets. There is, however, the risk that participants in the agreement will free ride. They can do this by not complying with the agreement or by benefitting from the agreement while bearing no cost.

[294]

Creating helpful subsidies: Creating subsidies and financial incentives. One example is energy subsidies to support clean generation which is not yet commercially viable such as tidal power.[300]

[299]

The cost of capital increased in the early 2020s. A lack of available capital and finance is common in developing countries.[325] Together with the absence of regulatory standards, this barrier supports the proliferation of inefficient equipment.

[324]

There are also financial and barrier in many of these countries.[92]: 97 

capacity

Carbon budget

Carbon offsets and credits

Carbon price

Climate movement

Climate change denial

Nature-based solutions

Plant-based action plan

Pro-nuclear movement

Tipping points in the climate system