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{{Short description|Actions to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions to limit climate change}}
] emissions from human activities 1800–2004]]
{{About|limiting climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions or removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere| supplementary climate technologies such as solar radiation management|solar geoengineering|actions focusing on politics and society|climate movement}}<noinclude>{{multiple image
] 1850 to 2007]]
| perrow = 2
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| image1 = Westmill Solar 2.jpg
| alt1 = Aerial view of a solar farm with part of a wind farm in the background
| image2 = Tramway de Dijon DSC 0244.JPG
| alt2 = public transport
| image3 = Haiti reforestation nursery.jpg
| alt3 = reforestation
| image4 = Plant-Based Dishes, Raw Food (29103285347).jpg
| alt4 = Plant-based dishes
| footer = Various aspects of climate change mitigation: ] (] and ]) in ], electrified ], a ] project in ] to ], and an example of a ]
}}</noinclude>


'''Climate change mitigation''' (or '''decarbonisation''') is action to limit the ] in the atmosphere that cause ]. Climate change mitigation actions include ] and ] with ]. Secondary mitigation strategies include changes to land use and ] from the atmosphere.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Fawzy |first1=Samer |last2=Osman |first2=Ahmed I. |last3=Doran |first3=John |last4=Rooney |first4=David W. |title=Strategies for mitigation of climate change: a review |journal=Environmental Chemistry Letters |date=2020 |volume=18 |issue=6 |pages=2069–2094 |doi=10.1007/s10311-020-01059-w |doi-access=free|bibcode=2020EnvCL..18.2069F }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Abbass |first1=Kashif |last2=Qasim |first2=Muhammad Zeeshan |last3=Song |first3=Huaming |last4=Murshed |first4=Muntasir |last5=Mahmood |first5=Haider |last6=Younis |first6=Ijaz |title=A review of the global climate change impacts, adaptation, and sustainable mitigation measures |journal=Environmental Science and Pollution Research |date=2022 |volume=29 |pages=42539–42559 |doi=10.1007/s11356-022-19718-6|pmc=8978769 }}</ref> Current climate change mitigation policies are insufficient as they would still result in global warming of about 2.7&nbsp;°C by 2100,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ritchie |first1=Hannah |author1-link=Hannah Ritchie |last2=Roser |first2=Max |author2-link=Max Roser |last3=Rosado |first3=Pablo |date=11 May 2020 |title=CO<sub>2</sub> and Greenhouse Gas Emissions |url=https://ourworldindata.org/co2-and-other-greenhouse-gas-emissions#future-emissions |journal=Our World in Data |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref> significantly above the 2015 ]'s<ref>{{cite book |last1=Rogelj |first1=J. |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/sites/2/2019/06/SR15_Full_Report_High_Res.pdf |title=Global Warming of 1.5&nbsp;°C. An IPCC Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5&nbsp;°C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, in the context of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development, and efforts to eradicate poverty |last2=Shindell |first2=D. |last3=Jiang |first3=K. |last4=Fifta |first4=S. |last5=Forster |first5=P. |last6=Ginzburg |first6=V. |last7=Handa |first7=C. |last8=Kheshgi |first8=H. |last9=Kobayashi |first9=S. |year=2018 |chapter=Chapter 2: Mitigation Pathways Compatible with 1.5&nbsp;°C in the Context of Sustainable Development |display-authors=4 |chapter-url=https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/SR15_Chapter2_High_Res.pdf |first10=E. |last10=Kriegler |first11=L. |last11=Mundaca |first12=R. |last12=Séférian |first13=M. V. |last13=Vilariño}}</ref> goal of limiting global warming to below 2&nbsp;°C.<ref name="theguardian.com">{{cite news |last1=Harvey |first1=Fiona |author-link=Fiona Harvey |date=26 November 2019 |title=UN calls for push to cut greenhouse gas levels to avoid climate chaos |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/26/united-nations-global-effort-cut-emissions-stop-climate-chaos-2030 |access-date=27 November 2019 |agency=The Guardian}}</ref><ref name="United Nations">{{cite web |title=Cut Global Emissions by 7.6 Percent Every Year for Next Decade to Meet 1.5°C Paris Target – UN Report |url=https://unfccc.int/news/cut-global-emissions-by-76-percent-every-year-for-next-decade-to-meet-15degc-paris-target-un-report |access-date=27 November 2019 |website=United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change |publisher=United Nations}}</ref>
'''Mitigation of global warming''' requires reducing the intensity of ] in order to reduce ].<ref> </ref> Mitigation is distinguished from ], which involves acting to minimize the ]. Most often, mitigations involve reductions in the ] of ], either by reducing their ]<ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite doi|10.1073/pnas.0902568106}}</ref> or by increasing their ].


] and ] can replace fossil fuels at the lowest cost compared to other ] options.<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 13">IPCC (2022) in , Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, United States</ref> The availability of sunshine and wind is variable and can require ] upgrades, such as using ] to group a range of power sources.<ref name="Ram-2019">Ram M., Bogdanov D., Aghahosseini A., Gulagi A., Oyewo A.S., Child M., Caldera U., Sadovskaia K., Farfan J., Barbosa LSNS., Fasihi M., Khalili S., Dalheimer B., Gruber G., Traber T., De Caluwe F., Fell H.-J., Breyer C. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401183622/http://energywatchgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/EWG_LUT_100RE_All_Sectors_Global_Report_2019.pdf |date=2021-04-01 }}. Study by Lappeenranta University of Technology and Energy Watch Group, Lappeenranta, Berlin, March 2019.</ref> ] can also be used to even out power output, and ] can limit power use when power generation is low. Cleanly generated ] for powering transportation, heating buildings, and running industrial processes.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} Certain processes are more difficult to decarbonise, such as ] and ]. ] (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.<ref name="IEA-2022">{{Cite web |title=Cement – Analysis |url=https://www.iea.org/reports/cement |access-date=24 November 2022 |website=IEA |language=en-GB}}</ref>
==Means of mitigation==


Human land use changes such as ] 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 ], whereas fossil fuels release {{CO2}} that was buried underground as part of the slow carbon cycle. ] 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 ]. It is possible to cut emissions from agriculture by reducing ], switching to a more ] (also referred to as ]), and by improving farming processes.<ref name="UNEP-2022" />
], together with the ] and the fear of ]<ref name=schneider2004anl>
{{Cite journal
| title=Abrupt non-linear climate change, irreversibility and surprise
| url=http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/9/59/2482280.pdf
| first=Stephen H. | last=Schneider
| author-link=Stephen Schneider
| journal=]
| volume=14 | issue=3 | pages=245–258 | year=2004 | publisher=]
| doi=10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2004.04.008 }}
</ref>
is leading to increased effort to develop new technologies and sciences and carefully manage others in an attempt to mitigate global warming. Unfortunately most means of mitigation appear effective only for preventing further warming, not at reversing existing warming.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite doi|10.1088/1748-9326/4/1/014012}}</ref>


Various policies can encourage climate change mitigation. ] systems have been set up that either ] or ]. ] can be eliminated in favor of clean ], and incentives offered for installing energy efficiency measures or switching to electric power sources.<ref>{{cite web |date=November 2022 |title=Climate Change Performance Index |url=http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/file/CCPI%202023.pdf |access-date=16 November 2022}}</ref> Another issue is overcoming environmental objections when constructing new clean energy sources and making grid modifications. Limiting climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions or removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere could be supplemented by climate technologies such as ] (or solar geoengineering). Complementary ]s, including ], have a focus on political and cultural aspects.
The ] identifies several ways of mitigating climate change. These include reducing demand for emissions-intensive goods and services, increasing efficiency gains, increasing use and development of low-carbon technologies, and reducing non-fossil fuel emissions<ref name="stern"/>.


{{TOC limit|5}}
The ] has set a target of limiting the global temperature rise to 2 °C <nowiki></nowiki> compared to ] levels, of which 0.8 °C has already taken place and another 0.5 °C is already ]. The 2 °C rise is typically associated in ]s with a ] concentration of 400-500 ] by volume; the current level as of January 2007 is 383 ppm by volume, and rising at 2 ppm annually. Hence, to avoid a very likely breach of the 2 °C target, CO<sub>2</sub> levels would have to be stabilised very soon; this is generally regarded as unlikely, based on current programs in place to date.<ref>{{cite web
| title = EU climate change target "unfeasible"
| publisher = EurActiv.com
| date = 2006-02-01
| url = http://www.euractiv.com/Article?tcmuri=tcm:29-152154-16&type=News
| accessdate = 2007-02-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/apr/14/global-warming-target-2c
|title=World will not meet 2C warming target, climate change experts agree
|publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited
|last=Adam
|first=David
|date=14 April 2009
|accessdate=2009-04-14 }}</ref> The importance of change is illustrated by the fact that world economic energy efficiency is presently improving at only half the rate of world economic growth.<ref>] </ref>


== Definitions and scope ==
At the core of most proposals is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through reducing energy use and switching to cleaner energy sources. Frequently discussed ] methods include increasing the ] of vehicles (often through ], ], and ]s and ]), ] and ]. ] and currently available technologies including renewable energy (such as ], ] and ], ], and ]) and more controversially ] and the use of ]s, ], and ] are aimed more precisely at countering continued greenhouse gas emissions. More radical proposals which may be grouped with mitigation include ] of atmospheric carbon dioxide and ] techniques ranging from ] projects such as ], to ] schemes such as the creation of ]. The ever-increasing global population and the planned growth of national ]s based on current technologies are counter-productive to most of these proposals.<ref name="LivingWithin">{{cite web
{{Climate change mitigation}}
|url=http://www.forumforthefuture.org/files/Living_within_our_means_sml.pdf
Climate change mitigation aims to sustain ]s to maintain ]. This requires drastic cuts in greenhouse gas emissions .<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 1">IPCC (2022) in , Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, United States</ref>{{rp||page=1–64}} The ] (IPCC) defines ''mitigation'' (of climate change) as "a human intervention to reduce ] or enhance the ] of ]es".<ref name="IPCC AR6 WGI Glossary"/>{{rp|2239}}
|format=PDF
|last=Porritt
|first=Jonathon
|title=Living within our means: avoiding the ultimate recession
|publisher=Forum for the Future
|location=London
|date=March 2009
|accessdate=2009-04-14
|quote=I remain astonished that so few people (even at the most progressive end of civil society) are prepared to accept that a continuing combination of a growing population and exponential economic growth will put a sustainable world for humankind forever beyond our reach. }}</ref>


It is possible to approach various mitigation measures in parallel. This is because there is no single pathway to limit global warming to 1.5 or 2&nbsp;°C.<ref name="Rogelj-2018" />{{rp|109}} There are four types of measures:
==Quota on fossil fuel production==
# ] and ]
Most mitigation proposals imply - rather than directly state - an eventual reduction in global fossil fuel production. Also proposed are direct quotas on global fossil fuel production.<ref>{{cite web
# ], including ]
| title = Climate Control: a proposal for controlling global greenhouse gas emissions
# ] and ]
| publisher = Sustento Institute
# Enhancing ]s and ] (CDR), including ]
| url = http://sustento.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/climate-control.pdf
The IPCC defined carbon dioxide removal as "Anthropogenic activities removing carbon dioxide ({{CO2}}) from the atmosphere and durably storing it in geological, terrestrial, or ocean reservoirs, or in products. It includes existing and potential anthropogenic enhancement of biological or geochemical {{CO2}} sinks and ] (DACCS), but excludes natural {{CO2}} uptake not directly caused by human activities."<ref name="IPCC AR6 WGI Glossary" />
| format = PDF
| accessdate = 2007-12-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web
| title=#7: Moratorium on New Projects for Fossil Fuel Production & Declining Cap on Existing Production
| url=http://www.bcsea.org/policy/files/7_Fossil_fuels.pdf
| first=Thomas | last=Hackney
| publisher=]
| year=2009 | month=July
| series=
| access-date=2008-04-24}}</ref>


==Pacala and Socolow== == Emission trends and pledges ==
{{Main|Greenhouse gas emissions}}
Pacala and Socolow of Princeton
<ref name=pacala2004sws>{{Cite journal
| title=Stabilization Wedges: Solving the Climate Problem for the Next 50 Years with Current Technologies
| url=http://carbonsequestration.us/Papers-presentations/htm/Pacala-Socolow-ScienceMag-Aug2004.pdf
| first1=Stephen | last1=Pacala | author1-link=
| first2=Robert H. | last2=Socolow | author2-link=
| journal=]
| volume=305 | issue=5686 | pages=968–972 | year=2004
| publisher=]
| doi=10.1126/science.1100103
| pmid=15310891 }}<br>See also:
{{cite web
| title=Stabwedge
| url=http://www.princeton.edu/~cmi/resources/stabwedge.htm
| publisher=CMI (Carbon Mitigation Initiative) at ]
| quote=Resources for Pacala & Socolow(2004) }}</ref>
have proposed a program to reduce CO<sub>2</sub> emissions by 1 billion metric tons per year − or 25 billion tons over the 50-year period. The proposed 15 different programs, any seven of which could achieve the goal, are:
# more efficient vehicles − increase fuel economy from 30 to 60 mpg (7.8 to 3.9 L/100&nbsp;km) for 2 billion vehicles,
# reduce use of vehicles − improve urban design to reduce miles driven from 10,000 to 5,000 miles (16,000 to 8,000&nbsp;km) per year for 2 billion vehicles,
# efficient buildings − reduce energy consumption by 25%,
# improve efficiency of coal plants from today's 40% to 60%,
# replace 1,400 GW (gigawatt) of coal power plants with natural gas,
# capture and store carbon emitted from 800 GW of new coal plants,
# capture and reuse hydrogen created by #6 above,
# capture and store carbon from coal to syn fuels conversion at {{convert|30|Moilbbl/d|m3/d}},
# displace 700 GW of coal power with nuclear,
# add 2 million 1 MW wind turbines (50 times current capacity),
# displace 700 GW of coal with 2,000 GW (peak) solar power (700 times current capacity),
# produce ] from 4 million 1 MW wind turbines,
# use biomass to make fuel to displace oil (100 times current capacity),
# stop de-forestation and re-establish 300 million hectares of new tree plantations,
# conservation tillage − apply to all crop land (10 times current usage).


{{Pie chart|thumb=right|caption=''GHG emissions 2020 by gas type''<br />without land-use change<br />using 100 year GWP<br />Total: 49.8 Gt{{CO2}}e<ref name="Olivier 2022">Olivier J.G.J. (2022), {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308142245/https://www.pbl.nl/sites/default/files/downloads/pbl-2022-trends-in-global-co2-and_total-greenhouse-gas-emissions-2021-summary-report_4758.pdf |date=2023-03-08 }}. PBL Netherlands, Environmental Assessment Agency, The Hague.</ref>{{rp|5}}|label1={{CO2}} mostly by fossil fuel|value1=72|color1=black|label2=CH<sub>4</sub> methane|color2=brown|value2=19|label3={{chem|N|2|O}} nitrous oxide|value3=6|color3=grey|label4=Fluorinated gases|value4=3|color4=blue}}
'']'' argued in June 2008 that "If we are to have confidence in our ability to stabilize carbon dioxide levels below 450 p.p.m. emissions must average less than 5 billion metric tons of carbon per year over the century. This means accelerating the deployment of the wedges so they begin to take effect in 2015 and are completely operational in much less time than originally modelled by Socolow and Pacala."<ref> June 19, 2008</ref>


{{Pie chart|thumb=right|caption={{CO2}} emissions by fuel type<ref name="Global Carbon Budget 2020">{{Cite journal |last1=Friedlingstein |first1=Pierre |last2=O'Sullivan |first2=Michael |last3=Jones |first3=Matthew W. |last4=Andrew |first4=Robbie M. |last5=Hauck |first5=Judith |last6=Olsen |first6=Are |last7=Peters |first7=Glen P. |last8=Peters |first8=Wouter |last9=Pongratz |first9=Julia |last10=Sitch |first10=Stephen |last11=Le Quéré |first11=Corinne |last12=Canadell |first12=Josep G. |last13=Ciais |first13=Philippe |last14=Jackson |first14=Robert B. |last15=Alin |first15=Simone |date=2020 |title=Global Carbon Budget 2020 |url=https://essd.copernicus.org/articles/12/3269/2020/ |journal=Earth System Science Data |language=en |volume=12 |issue=4 |pages=3269–3340 |doi=10.5194/essd-12-3269-2020 |bibcode=2020ESSD...12.3269F |issn=1866-3516|doi-access=free |hdl=10871/126892 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>|label1=coal|value1=39|color1=#602200|label2=oil|value2=34|color2=#333333|label3=gas|value3=21|color3=#888800|label4=cement|value4=4|color4=#888888|label5=others|value5=1.5|color5=#000050}}
{{See|Stabilization Wedge Game|Global warming game}}


Greenhouse gas emissions from human activities strengthen the ]. This contributes to ]. Most is ] from burning ]s: coal, oil, and natural gas. Human-caused emissions have increased atmospheric carbon dioxide by about 50% over pre-industrial levels. Emissions in the 2010s averaged a record 56 billion tons (Gt) a year.<ref name="ipccar6wg3ch2">{{cite journal |year=2022 |title=Chapter 2: Emissions trends and drivers |url=https://report.ipcc.ch/ar6wg3/pdf/IPCC_AR6_WGIII_FinalDraft_Chapter02.pdf |journal=Ipcc_Ar6_Wgiii |access-date=2022-11-21 |archive-date=2022-04-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412163517/https://report.ipcc.ch/ar6wg3/pdf/IPCC_AR6_WGIII_FinalDraft_Chapter02.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2016, energy for electricity, heat and transport was responsible for 73.2% of GHG emissions. Direct industrial processes accounted for 5.2%, waste for 3.2% and agriculture, forestry and land use for 18.4%.<ref name="OWiD-2022">{{Cite web |title=Sector by sector: where do global greenhouse gas emissions come from? |url=https://ourworldindata.org/ghg-emissions-by-sector |access-date=16 November 2022 |website=Our World in Data}}</ref>
==Energy efficiency and conservation==
{{main|Energy efficiency|Energy conservation}}


Electricity generation and transport are major emitters. The largest single source is ]s with 20% of greenhouse gas emissions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=It's critical to tackle coal emissions |url=https://blogs.worldbank.org/voices/its-critical-tackle-coal-emissions |access-date=25 November 2022 |website=blogs.worldbank.org |date=8 October 2021 |language=en |quote=Coal power plants produce a fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions – more than any other single source.}}</ref> ] and other changes in land use also emit carbon dioxide and methane. The largest sources of anthropogenic methane emissions are ], and ] and ] from the fossil-fuel industry. The largest agricultural methane source is livestock. ] emit ], partly due to fertilizers.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ritchie |first1=Hannah |last2=Roser |first2=Max |last3=Rosado |first3=Pablo |date=11 May 2020 |title=CO<sub>2</sub> and Greenhouse Gas Emissions |url=https://ourworldindata.org/greenhouse-gas-emissions |journal=Our World in Data}}</ref> There is now a political solution to the problem of fluorinated gases from ]s. This is because many countries have ratified the ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 October 2022 |title=Biden signs international climate deal on refrigerants |url=https://apnews.com/article/biden-business-china-rwanda-canada-922cd2519e517e1454e020a06d3cf881 |access-date=26 November 2022 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}</ref>
] use their energy less efficiently than developed countries, getting less ] for the same amount of energy.]]
] predicts world energy usage will rise in the next few decades.]]


] ({{CO2}}) is the dominant emitted greenhouse gas. ] ({{CH4}}) emissions almost have the same short-term impact.<ref name="ch4-vs-co2">{{cite web |date=30 September 2014 |title=Methane vs. Carbon Dioxide: A Greenhouse Gas Showdown |url=http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/methane-vs-carbon-dioxide-a-greenhouse-gas-showdown/ |access-date=13 February 2020 |website=One Green Planet}}</ref> ] (N<sub>2</sub>O) and ] (F-Gases) play a minor role. Livestock and manure produce 5.8% of all greenhouse gas emissions.<ref name="OWiD-2022" /> But this depends on the time frame used to calculate the ] of the respective gas.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{Cite journal |last1=Pérez-Domínguez |first1=Ignacio |last2=del Prado |first2=Agustin |last3=Mittenzwei |first3=Klaus |last4=Hristov |first4=Jordan |last5=Frank |first5=Stefan |last6=Tabeau |first6=Andrzej |last7=Witzke |first7=Peter |last8=Havlik |first8=Petr |last9=van Meijl |first9=Hans |last10=Lynch |first10=John |last11=Stehfest |first11=Elke |date=December 2021 |title=Short- and long-term warming effects of methane may affect the cost-effectiveness of mitigation policies and benefits of low-meat diets |journal=Nature Food |language=en |volume=2 |issue=12 |pages=970–980 |doi=10.1038/s43016-021-00385-8 |issn=2662-1355 |pmc=7612339 |pmid=35146439}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Franziska Funke |author2=Linus Mattauch |author3=Inge van den Bijgaart |author4=H. Charles J. Godfray |author5=Cameron Hepburn |author6=David Klenert |author7=Marco Springmann |author8=Nicolas Treich |date=19 July 2022 |title=Toward Optimal Meat Pricing: Is It Time to Tax Meat Consumption? |journal=Review of Environmental Economics and Policy |language=en |volume=16 |issue=2 |page=000 |doi=10.1086/721078 |quote=animal-based agriculture and feed crop production account for approximately 83 percent of agricultural land globally and are responsible for approximately 67 percent of deforestation (Poore and Nemecek 2018). This makes livestock farming the single largest driver of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, nutrient pollution, and ecosystem loss in the agricultural sector. A failure to mitigate GHG emissions from the food system, especially animal-based agriculture, could prevent the world from meeting the climate objective of limiting global warming to 1.5°C, as set forth in the Paris Climate Agreement, and complicate the path to limiting climate change to well below 2°C of warming (Clark et al. 2020). |s2cid=250721559|doi-access=free }}</ref>
Reducing fuel use by improvements in efficiency provides environmental benefits and as well as net cost savings to the energy user. Building insulation, fluorescent lighting, and public transportation are some of the most effective means of conserving energy, and by extension, the environment. However, ] poses a challenge to the goal of reducing overall energy use (and thus environmental impact) by energy conservation methods. Improved efficiency lowers cost, which in turn increases demand. To ensure that increases in efficiency actually reduces energy use, a tax must be imposed to remove any cost savings from improved efficiency.


Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are measured in ]. Scientists determine their {{CO2}} equivalents from their ] (GWP). This depends on their lifetime in the atmosphere. There are widely used ]g methods that convert volumes of methane, nitrous oxide and other greenhouse gases to ]. Estimates largely depend on the ability of oceans and land sinks to absorb these gases. ] (SLCPs) persist in the atmosphere for a period ranging from days to 15 years. Carbon dioxide can remain in the atmosphere for millennia.<ref name="IGSD-2013">{{Cite web |last=IGSD |date=2013 |title=Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) |url=http://www.igsd.org/initiatives/slcps/ |access-date=29 November 2019 |website=Institute of Governance and Sustainable Development (IGSD)}}</ref> Short-lived climate pollutants include ], ], ] and ].
Energy conservation is the practice of increasing the efficiency of use of energy in order to achieve higher useful output for the same energy consumption. This may result in increase of national security, personal security, financial capital, human comfort and environmental value. Individuals and organizations that are direct consumers of energy may want to conserve energy in order to reduce energy costs and promote environmental values. Industrial and commercial users may want to increase efficiency and maximize profit.


Scientists increasingly use satellites to locate and measure greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation. Earlier, scientists largely relied on or calculated estimates of greenhouse gas emissions and governments' self-reported data.<ref>{{cite news |title=How satellites could help hold countries to emissions promises made at COP26 summit |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2021/11/09/cop26-satellites-emissions/ |access-date=1 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Satellites offer new ways to study ecosystems—and maybe even save them |url=https://www.science.org/content/article/satellites-offer-new-ways-study-ecosystems-maybe-even-save-them |access-date=21 December 2021 |website=www.science.org |language=en}}</ref>
On a larger scale, energy conservation is an element of energy policy. The need to increase the available supply of energy (for example, through the creation of new power plants, or by the importation of more energy) is lessened if societal demand for energy can be reduced, or if growth in demand can be slowed. This makes energy conservation an important part of the debate over climate change and the replacement of non-renewable resources with renewable energy. Encouraging energy conservation among consumers is often advocated as a cheaper or more environmentally sensitive alternative to increased energy production.


=== Needed emissions cuts ===
===The energy landscape===
]
Residential buildings, commercial buildings, and the transportation of people and freight use the majority of the energy consumed by the United States each year. Specifically, the industrial sector uses 38 percent of total energy, closely followed by the transportation sector at 28 percent, the residential sector at 19 percent, and the commercial sector at 16 percent. On a community level, transportation can account for 40 to 50 percent of total energy use, and residential buildings use another 20 to 30 percent.<ref>Jim Schwab, "Who'd Got the Energy?" ''Planning'', American Planning Association, October 2002</ref>
The annual "Emissions Gap Report" by ] stated in 2022 that it was necessary to almost halve emissions. "To get on track for limiting global warming to 1.5°C, global annual GHG emissions must be reduced by 45 per cent compared with emissions projections under policies currently in place in just eight years, and they must continue to decline rapidly after 2030, to avoid exhausting the limited remaining atmospheric ]."<ref name="UNEP-2022">United Nations Environment Programme (2022). . Nairobi.</ref>{{rp|xvi}} The report commented that the world should focus on broad-based economy-wide transformations and not incremental change.<ref name="UNEP-2022" />{{rp|xvi}}


In 2022, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its ] on climate change. It warned that greenhouse gas emissions must peak before 2025 at the latest and decline 43% by 2030 to have a good chance of limiting global warming to 1.5&nbsp;°C (2.7&nbsp;°F).<ref>{{cite web |date=4 April 2022 |title=It's over for fossil fuels: IPCC spells out what's needed to avert climate disaster |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/04/its-over-for-fossil-fuels-ipcc-spells-out-whats-needed-to-avert-climate-disaster |access-date=4 April 2022 |website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=4 April 2022 |title=The evidence is clear: the time for action is now. We can halve emissions by 2030. |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/2022/04/04/ipcc-ar6-wgiii-pressrelease/ |access-date=4 April 2022 |website=IPCC}}</ref> Or in the words of Secretary-General of the United Nations ]: "Main emitters must drastically cut emissions starting this year".<ref>{{cite web |title=Ambitious Action Key to Resolving Triple Planetary Crisis of Climate Disruption, Nature Loss, Pollution, Secretary-General Says in Message for International Mother Earth Day {{!}} Meetings Coverage and Press Releases |url=https://www.un.org/press/en/2022/sgsm21243.doc.htm |access-date=10 June 2022 |website=www.un.org}}</ref>
In developed nations, the way of life today is completely dependent on abundant supplies of energy. Energy is needed to heat, cool, and light homes, fuel cars, and power offices. Energy is also critical for manufacturing the products used every day, including the cement, concrete and bricks that shape our communities.<ref>{{Cite news
| last = Scherer
| first = Ron
| author-link = http://www.csmonitor.com/cgi-bin/encryptmail.pl?ID=D2EFEEA0D3E3E8E5F2E5F2
| title = Oil supplies fall as nation shivers
| newspaper = The Christian Science Monitor
| year = 2003
| date = 2003-01-23
| url = http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0123/p01s02-usec.html?related}}</ref>


=== Pledges ===
While the U.S represents only five percent of the world's population, it consumes 25 percent of its energy and generates about 25 percent of its total greenhouse gas emissions. U.S. citizens, for example, use more energy per capita for transportation than do citizens of any other industrialized nation—which in part, reflects the greater distances traveled by Americans compared with citizens of other nations.<ref>Richard Gilbert, ''Energy and Smart Growth: An Issue Paper'', Neptis, 2002, page 9</ref>
{{Further|Climate target}}
] described the situation on 9 November 2021 as follows. The global temperature will rise by 2.7&nbsp;°C by the end of the century with current policies and by 2.9&nbsp;°C with nationally adopted policies. The temperature will rise by 2.4&nbsp;°C if countries only implement the pledges for 2030. The rise would be 2.1&nbsp;°C with the achievement of the long-term targets too. Full achievement of all announced targets would mean the rise in global temperature will peak at 1.9&nbsp;°C and go down to 1.8&nbsp;°C by the year 2100.<ref>{{cite web |title=Glasgow's 2030 credibility gap: net zero's lip service to climate action |url=https://climateactiontracker.org/publications/glasgows-2030-credibility-gap-net-zeros-lip-service-to-climate-action/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109140537/https://climateactiontracker.org/publications/glasgows-2030-credibility-gap-net-zeros-lip-service-to-climate-action/ |archive-date=9 November 2021 |access-date=9 November 2021 |website=climateactiontracker.org |language=en}}</ref> Experts gather information about climate pledges in the ]. The scientific community is checking their fulfilment.<ref>{{cite web |title=Global Data Community Commits to Track Climate Action |url=https://unfccc.int/news/global-data-community-commits-to-track-climate-action |access-date=15 December 2019 |website=UNFCCC}}</ref>


There has not been a definitive or detailed evaluation of most goals set for 2020. But it appears the world failed to meet most or all international goals set for that year.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nations |first1=United |title=Sustainable Development Goals Report 2020 |language=en |work=United Nations |url=https://www.un.org/en/desa/sustainable-development-goals-report-2020 |access-date=20 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=15 September 2020 |title=World fails to meet a single target to stop destruction of nature – UN report |language=en |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/15/every-global-target-to-stem-destruction-of-nature-by-2020-missed-un-report-aoe |access-date=20 December 2021}}</ref>
===Urban planning===
{{main|Urban planning}}
] also has an effect on energy use. Between 1982 and 1997, the amount of land consumed for ] in the United States increased by 47 percent while the nation's population grew by only 17 percent.<ref>{{Cite web
| title=Who Sprawls Most? How Growth Patterns Differ Across the U.S
| url=http://www.brookings.edu/es/urban/publications/fulton.pdf
| first1=William | last1=Fulton
| first2=Rolf | last2=Pendall
| first3=Mai | last3=Nguyen
| first4=Alicia | last4=Harrison
| publisher=] Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy
| location=Washington D.C.
| year=2001
| series=Survey Series }}</ref>
Inefficient ] development practices have increased infrastructure costs as well as the amount of energy needed for transportation, community services, and buildings.


One update came during the ] in Glasgow. The group of researchers running the Climate Action Tracker looked at countries responsible for 85% of greenhouse gas emissions. It found that only four countries or political entities—the EU, UK, Chile and Costa Rica—have published a detailed official policy{{nbhyph}}plan that describes the steps to realise 2030 mitigation targets. These four polities are responsible for 6% of global greenhouse gas emissions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Glasgow's 2030 credibility gap: net zero's lip service to climate action |url=https://climateactiontracker.org/publications/glasgows-2030-credibility-gap-net-zeros-lip-service-to-climate-action/ |access-date=9 November 2021 |website=climateactiontracker.org |language=en}}</ref>
At the same time, a growing number of citizens and government officials have begun advocating a smarter approach to land use planning. These smart growth practices include compact community development, multiple transportation choices, mixed land uses, and practices to conserve green space. These programs offer environmental, economic, and quality-of-life benefits; and they also serve to reduce energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions.


In 2021 the US and EU launched the Global Methane Pledge to cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030. The UK, Argentina, Indonesia, Italy and Mexico joined the initiative. Ghana and Iraq signaled interest in joining. A White House summary of the meeting noted those countries represent six of the top 15 methane emitters globally.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mason |first1=Jeff |last2=Alper |first2=Alexandra |date=18 September 2021 |title=Biden asks world leaders to cut methane in climate fight |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/biden-convenes-world-leaders-discuss-climate-change-ahead-glasgow-summit-2021-09-17/ |access-date=8 October 2021}}</ref> Israel also joined the initiative.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bassist |first1=Rina |date=6 October 2021 |title=At OECD, Israel joins global battle against climate change |agency=Al – Monitor |url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/10/oecd-israel-joins-global-battle-against-climate-change}}</ref>
Approaches such as ] and ] seek to reduce distances travelled, especially by private vehicles, encourage ] and make ] and ] more attractive options. This is achieved through ], ] planning and the concentration of housing within walking distance of ]s and ]s.<!--Energy usage comparisons done in the book "Sustainability and Cities" by Peter Newman and Jeff Kentworthy.-->


== Low-carbon energy ==
Smarter growth land use policies have both a direct and indirect effect on energy consuming behavior. For example, transportation energy usage, the number one user of petroleum fuels, could be significantly reduced through more compact and mixed use land development patterns, which in turn could be served by a greater variety of non-automotive based transportation choices. {{see also|Smart Growth}}
{{main|Sustainable energy|Energy transition||}}


] remain the primary global energy sources even as ] have begun rapidly increasing.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Friedlingstein |first1=Pierre |last2=Jones |first2=Matthew W. |last3=O'Sullivan |first3=Michael |last4=Andrew |first4=Robbie M. |last5=Hauck |first5=Judith |last6=Peters |first6=Glen P. |last7=Peters |first7=Wouter |last8=Pongratz |first8=Julia |last9=Sitch |first9=Stephen |last10=Le Quéré |first10=Corinne |last11=Bakker |first11=Dorothee C. E. |date=2019 |title=Global Carbon Budget 2019 |url=https://essd.copernicus.org/articles/11/1783/2019/ |url-status=live |journal=Earth System Science Data |volume=11 |issue=4 |pages=1783–1838 |bibcode=2019ESSD...11.1783F |doi=10.5194/essd-11-1783-2019 |issn=1866-3508 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506142248/https://essd.copernicus.org/articles/11/1783/2019/ |archive-date=6 May 2021 |access-date=15 February 2021 |via= |doi-access=free|hdl=20.500.11850/385668 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>]]
===Building design===
{{main|Sustainable architecture|Green building}}
] ] in the ]]]
Emissions from ] are substantial,<ref></ref> and government-supported energy efficiency programmes can make a difference.<ref>{{Cite news
| last = Osborne
| first = Hilary
| title = Energy efficiency 'saves £350m a year'
| newspaper = Guardian Unlimited
| date = 2005-08-02
| url = http://money.guardian.co.uk/utilities/story/0,11992,1541051,00.html?gusrc=ticker-103704}}</ref>


The ] includes the delivery and use of energy. It is the main emitter of carbon dioxide ({{CO2}}).<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 6" />{{rp|6-6}} Rapid and deep reductions in the carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector are necessary to limit global warming to well below 2&nbsp;°C.<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 6" />{{rp|6-3}} IPCC recommendations include reducing fossil fuel consumption, increasing production from low- and zero carbon energy sources, and increasing use of electricity and alternative energy carriers.<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 6" />{{rp|6-3}}
New buildings can be constructed using ], ], or ] techniques, using ] sources. Existing buildings can be made more efficient through the use of insulation, high-efficiency appliances (particularly ]s and ]), ], external window shades, and building orientation and siting. Renewable heat sources such as ] and ] energy reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted. In addition to designing buildings which are more energy efficient to heat, it is possible to design buildings that are more energy efficient to cool by using lighter-coloured, more reflective materials in the development of urban areas (e.g. by painting roofs white) and planting trees.<ref>{{Cite web
| first = Arthur H.
| last = Rosenfeld
| first2 = Joseph J.
| last2 = Romm
| first3 = Hashem
| last3 = Akbari
| first4 = Alan C.
| last4 = Lloyd
| contribution = Painting the Town White -- and Green
| title = Technology Review
| year = February/March 1997
| pages =
| location =
| publisher = Massachusetts Institute of Technology
| url = http://eande.lbl.gov/HeatIsland/PUBS/PAINTING/
| doi =
| id = }}</ref><ref>{{Harvard reference | Surname=Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy | Given= | Title=Policy Implications of Greenhouse Warming: Mitigation, Adaptation, and the Science Base | Publisher=National Academy Press | Place= Washington, D.C. | Year=1992 | URL=http://fermat.nap.edu/books/0309043867/html/216.html | ISBN ISBN 0-309-04386-7}}</ref> This saves energy because it cools buildings and reduces the ] effect thus reducing the use of air conditioning.


Nearly all scenarios and strategies involve a major increase in the use of renewable energy in combination with increased energy efficiency measures.<ref name="Teske-2019" />{{rp|xxiii}} It will be necessary to accelerate the deployment of ] six-fold from 0.25% annual growth in 2015 to 1.5% to keep global warming under 2&nbsp;°C.<ref>{{cite web |title=Global Energy Transformation: A Roadmap to 2050 (2019 edition) |url=https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2019/Apr/IRENA_Global_Energy_Transformation_2019.pdf |access-date=29 January 2020 |publisher=]}}</ref>
===Transport===
] compared to cars.]]
{{main|Sustainable transport}}
Modern ], such as ] electric vehicles, and ], such as ]s, may reduce the consumption of ] and emissions of ].


] and ] power, are providing an increasing share of power capacity.<ref name="IEA_20221205">{{cite web |title=Share of cumulative power capacity by technology, 2010-2027 |url=https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/charts/share-of-cumulative-power-capacity-by-technology-2010-2027 |website=IEA.org |publisher=International Energy Agency (IEA) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204170647/https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/charts/share-of-cumulative-power-capacity-by-technology-2010-2027 |archive-date=4 February 2023 |date=5 December 2022 |url-status=live}} Source states "Fossil fuel capacity from IEA (2022), ''World Energy Outlook 2022''. IEA. Licence: CC BY 4.0."</ref>]]
A shift from ] and ] to electric ]
The competitiveness of renewable energy is a key to a rapid deployment. In 2020, onshore wind and solar photovoltaics were the cheapest source for new bulk electricity generation in many regions.<ref name="Bloomberg">{{cite web |date=28 April 2020 |title=Scale-up of Solar and Wind Puts Existing Coal, Gas at Risk |url=https://about.bnef.com/blog/scale-up-of-solar-and-wind-puts-existing-coal-gas-at-risk |publisher=BloombergNEF}}</ref> Renewables may have higher storage costs but non-renewables may have higher clean-up costs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Emilio |first=Maurizio Di Paolo |date=2022-09-15 |title=The Cost of Energy, Key to Sustainability |url=https://www.powerelectronicsnews.com/why-the-cost-of-energy-is-key-to-sustainability/ |access-date=2023-01-05 |website=Power Electronics News |language=en-US}}</ref> A ] can increase the competitiveness of renewable energy.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Liebensteiner |first1=Mario |last2=Naumann |first2=Fabian |date=2022-11-01 |title=Can carbon pricing counteract renewable energies' cannibalization problem? |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140988322004741 |journal=Energy Economics |language=en |volume=115 |pages=106345 |doi=10.1016/j.eneco.2022.106345 |bibcode=2022EneEc.11506345L |s2cid=252958388 |issn=0140-9883}}</ref>
would reduce emissions significantly.<ref>{{cite paper
| author = Lowe, Marcia D.
| title = Back on Track: The Global Rail Revival
|date=1994, April
| url =http://www.worldwatch.org/node/872
| accessdate = 2007-02-15 }}</ref><ref>{{cite paper
| author = Schwartzman, Peter
| title = TRUCKS VS. TRAINS—WHO WINS?
| date = unknown
| url =http://www.thezephyr.com/environ/trucktrain.html
| accessdate = 2007-02-15 }}</ref>


=== Solar and wind energy ===
Increased use of ]s (such as ] and ], that can be used in 100% concentration in today's diesel and gasoline engines) could also reduce emissions if produced environmentally efficiently, especially in conjunction with regular ] and ]s.
{{main|Solar energy|Wind power}}


] is a commercial ] ] power plant, located in ]. The Andasol plant uses tanks of molten salt to store solar energy so that it can continue generating electricity for 7.5 hours after the sun has stopped shining.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Saving for a rainy day |first=Edwin |last=Cartlidge |date=18 November 2011 |journal=Science |volume=334 |issue=6058 |pages=922–24|doi=10.1126/science.334.6058.922 |pmid=22096185 |bibcode=2011Sci...334..922C }}</ref>]]Wind and sun can provide large amounts of low-carbon energy at competitive production costs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 December 2022 |title=Renewable power's growth is being turbocharged as countries seek to strengthen energy security |url=https://www.iea.org/news/renewable-power-s-growth-is-being-turbocharged-as-countries-seek-to-strengthen-energy-security |access-date=8 December 2022 |website=IEA |language=en-GB |quote=Utility-scale solar PV and onshore wind are the cheapest options for new electricity generation in a significant majority of countries worldwide.}}</ref> The IPCC estimates that these two mitigation options have the largest potential to reduce emissions before 2030 at low cost.<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 13" />{{rp|43}}
For electric vehicles, the reduction of carbon emissions will improve further if the way the required electricity is generated is low-carbon (from ] sources).


Solar ] (PV) has become the cheapest way to generate electricity in many regions of the world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Solar - Fuels & Technologies |url=https://www.iea.org/fuels-and-technologies/solar |access-date=22 December 2022 |website=IEA |language=en-GB |quote=utility-scale solar PV is the least costly option for new electricity generation in a significant majority of countries worldwide}}</ref> The growth of photovoltaics has been close to exponential. It has about doubled every three years since the 1990s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jaeger |first=Joel |date=20 September 2021 |title=Explaining the Exponential Growth of Renewable Energy |url=https://www.wri.org/insights/growth-renewable-energy-sector-explained |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Wanner |first1=Brent |title=Is exponential growth of solar PV the obvious conclusion? |date=6 February 2019 |url=https://www.iea.org/commentaries/is-exponential-growth-of-solar-pv-the-obvious-conclusion |publisher=IEA |access-date=30 December 2022}}</ref> A different technology is ] (CSP). This uses mirrors or lenses to concentrate a large area of sunlight on to a receiver. With CSP, the energy can be stored for a few hours. This provides supply in the evening. ] doubled between 2010 and 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Renewables 2021 Global Status Report |url=https://www.ren21.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/GSR2021_Full_Report.pdf |publisher=REN21 |access-date=22 July 2021 |pages=137–138}}</ref>] is an 845 ] (MW) ], wind farm in the US state of ]. Each turbine is a nameplate 2 or 2.5 MW electricity generator.]]
Effective ] to reduce ] would decrease Vehicle Miles Travelled (VMT), lowering emissions from transportation. Increased use of ] can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions per passenger kilometer.
Regions in the higher northern and southern latitudes have the greatest potential for wind power.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://science.globalwindatlas.info/datasets.html|title=Global Wind Atlas|publisher=DTU Technical University of Denmark|access-date=28 March 2020|archive-date=24 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224101415/http://science.globalwindatlas.info/datasets.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Offshore ] are more expensive. But offshore units deliver more energy per installed capacity with less fluctuations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Onshore vs offshore wind energy: what's the difference? {{!}} National Grid Group |url=https://www.nationalgrid.com/stories/energy-explained/onshore-vs-offshore-wind-energy |access-date=9 December 2022 |website=www.nationalgrid.com |language=en}}</ref> In most regions, wind power generation is higher in the winter when PV output is low. For this reason, combinations of wind and solar power lead to better-balanced systems.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Nyenah |first1=Emmanuel |last2=Sterl |first2=Sebastian |last3=Thiery |first3=Wim |date=1 May 2022 |title=Pieces of a puzzle: solar-wind power synergies on seasonal and diurnal timescales tend to be excellent worldwide |journal=Environmental Research Communications |volume=4 |issue=5 |pages=055011 |doi=10.1088/2515-7620/ac71fb |bibcode=2022ERCom...4e5011N |issn=2515-7620 |s2cid=249227821|doi-access=free }}</ref>


=== Other renewables ===
==Alternative energy sources ==
] ] ] in the ], the largest hydroelectric power station in the world]]Other well-established renewable energy forms include hydropower, bioenergy and geothermal energy.
{{Main|Energy development}}
* ] is electricity generated by ] and plays a leading role in countries like Brazil, Norway and China.<ref name="BP">{{cite web |title=BP Statistical Review 2019 |url=https://www.bp.com/content/dam/bp/business-sites/en/global/corporate/pdfs/energy-economics/statistical-review/bp-stats-review-2019-full-report.pdf |access-date=28 March 2020}}</ref> but there are geographical limits and environmental issues.<ref>{{cite news |date=5 November 2018 |title=Large hydropower dams not sustainable in the developing world |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-46098118 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> ] can be used in coastal regions.
===Nuclear power===
* ] can provide energy for electricity, heat and transport. Bioenergy, in particular ], can provide ].<ref>{{cite web|title=From baseload to peak|url=https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2015/IRENA_Baseload_to_Peak_2015.pdf|publisher=IRENA|access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> While burning plant-derived ] 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Biomass – Carbon sink or carbon sinner|url=https://fcrn.org.uk/sites/default/files/Biomass__carbon_sink_or_carbon_sinner_summary_report.pdf|publisher=UK environment agency|access-date=27 March 2020|archive-date=28 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328150806/https://fcrn.org.uk/sites/default/files/Biomass__carbon_sink_or_carbon_sinner_summary_report.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> For example, aviation is starting to use renewable ]s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Virgin Atlantic purchases 10 million gallons of SAF from Gevo |url=https://biofuels-news.com/news/virgin-atlantic-purchases-10-million-gallons-of-saf-from-gevo/ |access-date=22 December 2022 |website=Biofuels International Magazine |date=7 December 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref>
].]]
* ] is electrical power generated from ]. Geothermal electricity generation is currently used in 26 countries.<ref name="gea2010">Geothermal Energy Association. May 2010, p. 4-6.</ref><ref name="Bassam-2013">{{Cite book |last1=Bassam |first1=Nasir El |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uP4eGFt4c_AC&q=international+Geothermal+Association+10,715+megawatts&pg=PA187 |title=Distributed Renewable Energies for Off-Grid Communities: Strategies and Technologies Toward Achieving Sustainability in Energy Generation and Supply |last2=Maegaard |first2=Preben |last3=Schlichting |first3=Marcia |date=2013 |publisher=Newnes |isbn=978-0-12-397178-4 |pages=187 |language=en}}</ref> ] is in use in 70 countries.<ref name="IPCC Annex II">Moomaw, W., P. Burgherr, G. Heath, M. Lenzen, J. Nyboer, A. Verbruggen, </ref>
Nuclear power currently produces over 15% of the world's electricity. Due to its low emittance of greenhouse gases (comparable to ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/postpn268.pdf|title=CARBON FOOTPRINT OF ELECTRICITY GENERATION|date=October 06|publisher=Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (UK)|accessdate=2009-04-14}}</ref>) and reliability it is seen as a possible alternative to fossil fuels, but is ] for ] and possible ]. Also, there are ].


=== Integrating variable renewable energy ===
==== Life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions comparisons====
{{Further|Variable renewable energy|energy storage}}
Most comparisons of life cycle analysis (LCA) of carbon dioxide emissions show nuclear power as comparable to renewable energy sources.<ref> AUA Factsheet May 2007</ref><ref> World Nuclear Association November 2005</ref>


Wind and solar power production does not consistently match demand.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ruggles |first1=Tyler H. |last2=Caldeira |first2=Ken |date=1 January 2022 |title=Wind and solar generation may reduce the inter-annual variability of peak residual load in certain electricity systems |journal=Applied Energy |language=en |volume=305 |pages=117773 |doi=10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.117773 |issn=0306-2619 |s2cid=239113921|doi-access=free |bibcode=2022ApEn..30517773R }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=You've heard of water droughts. Could 'energy' droughts be next? |url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220412161551.htm |access-date=8 December 2022 |website=ScienceDaily |language=en}}</ref> To deliver reliable electricity from ] sources such as wind and solar, electrical power systems must be flexible.<ref>{{Cite book |author=] |year=2019 |title=Emissions Gap Report 2019 |url=https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/30797/EGR2019.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |isbn=978-92-807-3766-0 |archive-date=7 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507022320/https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/30797/EGR2019.pdf?isAllowed=y&sequence=1 |url-status=live |page=47 |publisher=United Nations Environment Programme }}</ref> Most electrical grids were constructed for non-intermittent energy sources such as coal-fired power plants.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Introduction to System Integration of Renewables |url=https://www.iea.org/reports/introduction-to-system-integration-of-renewables |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515213454/https://www.iea.org/reports/introduction-to-system-integration-of-renewables |archive-date=15 May 2020 |access-date=30 May 2020 |publisher=]}}</ref> The integration of larger amounts of solar and wind energy into the grid requires a change of the energy system; this is necessary to ensure that the supply of electricity matches demand.<ref name="Blanco-2018">{{Cite journal |last1=Blanco |first1=Herib |last2=Faaij |first2=André |date=2018 |title=A review at the role of storage in energy systems with a focus on Power to Gas and long-term storage |journal=] |volume=81 |pages=1049–1086 |doi=10.1016/j.rser.2017.07.062 |issn=1364-0321 |doi-access=free|bibcode=2018RSERv..81.1049B }}</ref>
A life cycle analysis centered around the Swedish ] estimated carbon dioxide emissions at 3.10 g/kWh<ref>Vattenfall 2004, Forsmark EPD for 2002 and SwedPower LCA data 2005.</ref> and 5.05 g/kWh in 2002 for the ].<ref> accessed 20 October 2007</ref> This compares to 11 g/kWh for hydroelectric power, 950 g/kWh for installed coal, 900 g/kWh for oil and 600 g/kWh for natural gas generation in the United States in 1999.<ref> accessed 20 October 2007</ref>


There are various ways to make the electricity system more flexible. In many places, wind and solar generation are complementary on a daily and a seasonal scale. There is more wind during the night and in winter when solar energy production is low.<ref name="Blanco-2018" /> Linking different geographical regions through ] also makes it possible to reduce variability.<ref>{{Cite book |author=] |title=Renewables 2020: Global Status Report |publisher=REN21 Secretariat |url=https://www.ren21.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/gsr_2020_full_report_en.pdf |year=2020 |isbn=978-3-948393-00-7 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923065621/https://www.ren21.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/gsr_2020_full_report_en.pdf |archive-date=23 September 2020 |url-status=live |page=177}}</ref> It is possible to shift energy demand in time. ] and the use of ] make it possible to match the times when variable energy production is highest.<ref name="Blanco-2018" /> ] can provide further flexibility. This involves coupling the electricity sector to the heat and mobility sector via ]-systems and electric vehicles.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Bloess |first1=Andreas |last2=Schill |first2=Wolf-Peter |last3=Zerrahn |first3=Alexander |date=2018 |title=Power-to-heat for renewable energy integration: A review of technologies, modeling approaches, and flexibility potentials |journal=] |volume=212 |pages=1611–1626 |doi=10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.12.073 |s2cid=116132198|doi-access=free |bibcode=2018ApEn..212.1611B |hdl=10419/200120 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>]
]
Energy storage helps overcome barriers to intermittent renewable energy.<ref name="Koohi-Fayegh-2020">{{Cite journal |last1=Koohi-Fayegh |first1=S. |last2=Rosen |first2=M.A. |date=2020 |title=A review of energy storage types, applications and recent developments |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352152X19306012 |url-status=live |journal=Journal of Energy Storage |volume=27 |pages=101047 |doi=10.1016/j.est.2019.101047 |bibcode=2020JEnSt..2701047K |issn=2352-152X |s2cid=210616155 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717132743/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352152X19306012 |archive-date=17 July 2021 |access-date=28 November 2020}}</ref> The most commonly used and available storage method is ]. This requires locations with large differences in height and access to water.<ref name="Koohi-Fayegh-2020" /> Batteries are also in wide use.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Katz |first=Cheryl |date=17 December 2020 |title=The batteries that could make fossil fuels obsolete |url=https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20201217-renewable-power-the-worlds-largest-battery |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111075439/https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20201217-renewable-power-the-worlds-largest-battery |archive-date=11 January 2021 |access-date=10 January 2021 |publisher=]}}</ref> They typically store electricity for short periods.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Herib |first1=Blanco |last2=André |first2=Faaij |date=2018 |title=A review at the role of storage in energy systems with a focus on Power to Gas and long-term storage |journal=] |volume=81 |pages=1049–1086 |doi=10.1016/j.rser.2017.07.062 |issn=1364-0321 |doi-access=free|bibcode=2018RSERv..81.1049B }}</ref> Batteries have low ]. This and their cost makes them impractical for the large energy storage necessary to balance inter-seasonal variations in energy production.<ref name="RoyalSoc-2021">{{Cite book |url=https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/projects/climate-change-science-solutions/ |title=Climate change: science and solutions |date=19 May 2021 |publisher=] |chapter=Climate change and batteries: the search for future power storage solutions |access-date=15 October 2021 |chapter-url=https://royalsociety.org/-/media/policy/projects/climate-change-science-solutions/climate-science-solutions-batteries.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016023551/https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/projects/climate-change-science-solutions/ |archive-date=16 October 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Some locations have implemented pumped hydro storage with capacity for multi-month usage.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hunt |first1=Julian D. |last2=Byers |first2=Edward |last3=Wada |first3=Yoshihide |last4=Parkinson |first4=Simon |last5=Gernaat |first5=David E. H. J. |last6=Langan |first6=Simon |last7=van Vuuren |first7=Detlef P. |last8=Riahi |first8=Keywan |display-authors=4 |date=2020 |title=Global resource potential of seasonal pumped hydropower storage for energy and water storage |journal=] |volume=11 |issue=1 |pages=947 |bibcode=2020NatCo..11..947H |doi=10.1038/s41467-020-14555-y |issn=2041-1723 |pmc=7031375 |pmid=32075965 |doi-access=free}}</ref>
The Swedish utility ] did a study of full life cycle emissions of nuclear, hydro, coal, gas, solar cell, peat and wind which the utility uses to produce electricity. The net result of the study was that nuclear power produced 3.3 grams of carbon dioxide per KW-Hr of produced power. This compares to 400 for ] and 700 for ] (according to this study). The study also concluded that nuclear power produced the smallest amount of CO<sub>2</sub> of any of their electricity sources.<ref>nuclearinfo.net. </ref>


==== Enrichment ==== === Nuclear power ===
{{Further|Sustainable energy#Nuclear power|Nuclear power#Carbon emissions|Nuclear power#Comparison with renewable energy}}
The bulk of CO<sub>2</sub> emission from nuclear power plants can be eliminated if nuclear power plants themselves generate the electricity required during the uranium enrichment process (already being done in France and to some extent by the ]'s many nuclear units in the U.S.). In addition, ] technology has/will greatly reduced the energy required for enrichment, thus reducing the LCA carbon emissions per kilowatt-hour (see ]).


] could complement renewables for electricity.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 August 2020 |title=Climate Change and Nuclear Power 2022 |url=https://www.iaea.org/topics/nuclear-power-and-climate-change/climate-change-and-nuclear-power-2022 |access-date=1 January 2023 |website=www.iaea.org |language=en}}</ref> On the other hand, environmental and security risks could outweigh the benefits.<ref name="worldnuclearwastereport">{{cite web |title=World Nuclear Waste Report |url=https://worldnuclearwastereport.org/ |access-date=25 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Brice |title=Insurmountable Risks: The Dangers of Using Nuclear Power to Combat Global Climate Change – Institute for Energy and Environmental Research |url=https://ieer.org/resource/books/insurmountable-risks-dangers-nuclear/ |access-date=24 November 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Prăvălie |first1=Remus |last2=Bandoc |first2=Georgeta |date=2018 |title=Nuclear energy: Between global electricity demand, worldwide decarbonisation imperativeness, and planetary environmental implications |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0301479717312227 |journal=Journal of Environmental Management |language=en |volume=209 |pages=81–92 |doi=10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.12.043|pmid=29287177 |bibcode=2018JEnvM.209...81P }}</ref>
==== Nuclear fuel reserves ====
Current uranium production is expected to be adequate at current consumption rates for about a century (from ], see also ]).


The construction of new nuclear reactors currently takes about 10 years. This is much longer than scaling up the deployment of wind and solar.<ref name="statusreport">{{cite report|last1=Schneider|first1=Mycle|last2=Froggatt|first2=Antony|title=World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2021 |url=https://www.worldnuclearreport.org/IMG/pdf/wnisr2021-lr.pdf |access-date=1 January 2023}}</ref>{{rp|335}} And this timing gives rise to credit risks.<ref name="DuboisPelerin-2023">{{Cite web |title=Nuclear Power Is Declining in the West and Growing in Developing Countries |url=https://www.brinknews.com/nuclear-power-is-declining-in-the-west-and-growing-in-developing-countries/ |access-date=1 January 2023 |website=BRINK – Conversations and Insights on Global Business |language=en-US}}</ref> However nuclear may be much cheaper in China. China is building a significant number of new power plants.<ref name="DuboisPelerin-2023" /> {{As of|2019}} the cost of extending nuclear power plant lifetimes is competitive with other electricity generation technologies<ref name="IEA2019">{{Cite web|url=https://www.iea.org/newsroom/news/2019/may/steep-decline-in-nuclear-power-would-threaten-energy-security-and-climate-goals.html|title=May: Steep decline in nuclear power would threaten energy security and climate goals|website=www.iea.org|access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref> if long term costs for nuclear waste disposal are excluded from the calculation. There is also no sufficient financial insurance for nuclear accidents.<ref>{{cite book |title=Lessons Learned from the Fukushima Nuclear Accident for Improving Safety of U.S. Nuclear Plants (Appendix L - Factoring the Costs of Severe Nuclear Accidents into Backfit Decisions)|chapter=Factoring the Costs of Severe Nuclear Accidents into Backfit Decisions |date=2014 |publisher=National Research Council |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK253929/ |access-date=29 December 2023}}</ref>
There are a number of alternative nuclear fission technologies, such as ]s, (see ]) which could vastly extend fuel supplies if successfully developed and utilized.


=== Replacing coal with natural gas ===
Lower-risk ] cycles have been demonstrated in the past.
{{excerpt|sustainable energy#Fossil fuel switching and mitigation|paragraphs=1-2|file=no}}


== Demand reduction ==
] is another variant of providing nuclear energy, but it will not provide any immediate mitigation to global warming as the time horizon for its commercial deployment is expected to be after 2050.{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}}
{{Further|Individual action on climate change}}
Reducing demand for products and services that cause greenhouse gas emissions can help in mitigating climate change. One is to reduce demand by ], for example by making changes in diet, especially the decision to reduce meat consumption,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Carman |first1=Jennifer |last2=Goldberg |first2=Matthew |last3=Marlon |first3=Jennifer |last4=Wang |first4=Xinran |last5=Lacroix |first5=Karine |last6=Neyens |first6=Liz |last7=Leiserowitz |first7=Anthony |last8=Maibach |first8=Edward |last9=Rosenthal |first9=Seth |last10=Kotcher |first10=John |title=Americans' Actions to Limit and Prepare For Global Warming |journal=Americans' Actions to Limit and Prepare for Global Warming, March 2021 |date=Aug 3, 2021 |volume=March 2021}}</ref> an effective ]. Another is by reducing the demand by improving infrastructure, by building a good public transport network, for example. Lastly, changes in end-use technology can reduce energy demand. For instance a well-insulated house emits less than a poorly-insulated house.<ref name="IPCC-2022" />{{rp||page=119}}


Mitigation options that reduce demand for products or services help people make personal choices to reduce their ]. This could be in their choice of transport or food.<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 5">Patrick Devine-Wright, Julio Diaz-José, Frank Geels, Arnulf Grubler, Nadia Maïzi, Eric Masanet, Yacob Mulugetta, Chioma Daisy Onyige-Ebeniro, Patricia E. Perkins, Alessandro Sanches Pereira, Elke Ursula Weber (2022) in , Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, United States</ref>{{rp|5-3}} So these mitigation options have many social aspects that focus on demand reduction; they are therefore ''demand-side'' ''mitigation actions''. For example, people with high socio-economic status often cause more greenhouse gas emissions than those from a lower status. If they reduce their emissions and promote green policies, these people could become low-carbon lifestyle role models.<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 5" />{{rp|5-4}} However, there are many psychological variables that influence consumers. These include awareness and perceived risk.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Cardenas |first1=IC |title=Mitigation of climate change. Risk and uncertainty research gaps in the specification of mitigation actions |journal=Environmental Science & Policy |date=2024 |volume=162 |issue=December 2024 |page=103912 |doi=10.1016/j.envsci.2024.103912 |doi-access=free }}</ref>
===Renewable energy===
] is the most common modern design because it minimizes forces related to fatigue.]]
{{Main|Renewable energy|Renewable energy development}}
One means of reducing carbon emissions is the ] such as ] such as ]. Most forms of renewable energy generate no appreciable amounts of greenhouse gases except for ]s derived from ].{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}}


Government policies can support or hinder demand-side mitigation options. For example, public policy can promote ] concepts which would support climate change mitigation.<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 5" />{{rp|5–6}} Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is linked to the ].
] is a newly developed process which is claimed to be able to produce 20,000 gallons of fuel per acre per year, and which removes carbon dioxide from the air as a feedstock for the fuel.<ref>, The New York Times, July 27, 2009</ref>


There is a debate regarding the correlation of economic growth and emissions. It seems economic growth no longer necessarily means higher emissions.<ref name="The Economist-0013">{{Cite news |title=Economic growth no longer means higher carbon emissions |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2022/11/08/economic-growth-no-longer-means-higher-carbon-emissions |access-date=28 December 2022 |issn=0013-0613}}</ref><ref name="EIB-2021">{{Cite web |title=2021-2022 EIB Climate Survey, part 3 of 3: The economic and social impact of the green transition |url=https://www.eib.org/en/surveys/climate-survey/4th-climate-survey/green-transition-jobs-lifestyle-adaptation.htm |access-date=4 April 2022 |website=EIB.org |language=en}}</ref>
Generally, emissions are a fraction of ]-based electricity generation. In some cases, notably with ]--once thought to be one of the cleanest forms of energy—there are unexpected results. One study shows that a hydroelectric dam in the Amazon has 3.6 times larger greenhouse effect per kW·h than electricity production from oil, due to large scale emission of ] from decaying organic material.<ref>{{Cite news
| last = Graham-Rowe
| first = Duncan
| title = Hydroelectric power's dirty secret revealed
| newspaper = New Scientist
| pages =
| date = 2005-02-24
| url = http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn7046}}</ref><!-- original reference --> This effect applies in particular to dams created by simply flooding a large area, without first clearing it of vegetation.
There are however investigations into ] that do not require a dam.


===Energy conservation and efficiency===
Currently governments subsidize ]s by an estimated $235 billion a year.<ref> ''A. Simms; J. Oram; P. Kjell '' New Economics Foundation 2004</ref> However, in some countries, government action has boosted the development of renewable energy technologies&mdash;for example, a program to put ]s on the roofs of a million homes has made ] a world leader in that technology, and ]'s support for ] ensured its former leadership of that sector. In 2005, Governor ] promised an initiative to install a ] in ], which became the ].<ref></ref>
{{Main|2 = Energy conservation|3 = Efficient energy use}}
Global ] demand exceeded 161,000 terawatt hours (TWh) in 2018.<ref>IEA (2019), '''', IEA, Paris, License: CC BY 4.0</ref> This refers to electricity, transport and heating including all losses. In transport and electricity production, fossil fuel usage has a low efficiency of less than 50%. Large amounts of heat in power plants and in motors of vehicles go to waste. The actual amount of energy consumed is significantly lower at 116,000 TWh.<ref name="IEA">{{cite report |url=https://www.iea.org/reports/key-world-energy-statistics-2020/final-consumption |title=Key World Energy Statistics 2020 |publisher=IEA |year=2020}}</ref>


] is the effort made to reduce the ] by using less of an energy service. One way is to ]. This means using less energy than before to produce the same service. Another way is to reduce the amount of service used. An example of this would be to drive less. Energy conservation is at the top of the sustainable ].<ref name="REW-2015">{{cite web |date=9 April 2015 |title=A guide for effective energy saving |url=http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/ugc/blogs/2015/04/a-guide-for-effective-energy-saving.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611144103/http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/ugc/blogs/2015/04/a-guide-for-effective-energy-saving.html |archive-date=11 June 2016 |access-date=14 June 2016 |website=Renewable Energy World}}</ref> When consumers reduce wastage and losses they can conserve energy. The upgrading of technology as well as the improvements to operations and maintenance can result in overall efficiency improvements.
In June 2005, the ] of ] allegedly became the first head of a British company to admit that climate change is already affecting his company, and affecting its business, and announced plans<ref> ''Curtis, Polly'' The Guardian June 2005</ref> to source much of its substantial energy use from renewable sources. He noted that, ''"Since the beginning of the year, the media has been showing us images of Greenland glaciers crashing into the sea, Mount Kilimanjaro devoid of its ice cap and Scotland reeling from floods and gales. All down to natural weather cycles? I think not."''<ref> ''Wachman, Richard'' The Observer June 2005</ref>


] (or ''energy efficiency'') is the process of reducing the amount of energy required to provide products and services. Improved ] ("green buildings"), industrial processes and transportation could reduce the world's energy needs in 2050 by one third. This would help reduce global emissions of greenhouse gases.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The value of urgent action on energy efficiency – Analysis |url=https://www.iea.org/reports/the-value-of-urgent-action-on-energy-efficiency |access-date=23 November 2022 |website=IEA |date=8 June 2022 |language=en-GB}}</ref> For example, insulating a building allows it to use less heating and cooling energy to achieve and maintain thermal comfort. Improvements in energy efficiency are generally achieved by adopting a more efficient technology or production process.<ref>] (2007). '']'', UNSW Press, p. 86.</ref> Another way is to use commonly accepted methods to reduce energy losses.
===Eliminating waste methane===
] is a significantly more powerful greenhouse gas than ]. Burning one molecule of methane generates one molecule of carbon dioxide. Accordingly, burning methane which would otherwise be released into the atmosphere (such as at oil wells, landfills, coal mines, waste treatment plants, etc.) provides a net greenhouse gas emissions benefit.<ref name=autogenerated1> from ''www.naturalgas.org''</ref> However, reducing the amount of waste methane produced in the first place has an even greater beneficial impact, as might other approaches to productive use of otherwise-wasted methane.


=== Lifestyle changes ===
In terms of prevention, vaccines are in the works in Australia to reduce significant global warming contributions from ] released by livestock via ] and ].<ref> ''Rachel Nowak'' for NewScientist September 2004</ref>
{{multiple image
| total_width = 450
| image1 = 20210818 Greenhouse gas emissions by income category - UN Emissions Gap Report.svg
| caption1 = The emissions of the richest 1% of the global population account for more than twice the combined share of the poorest 50%.<ref name=EmissionGapReport2020/> Meeting the 1.5°C goal of the 2015 Paris Agreement means that the richest 1% would need to reduce their current emissions by at least a factor of 30, while per capita emissions of the poorest 50% could increase by around three times their current levels.<ref name=EmissionGapReport2020>{{cite web |date=2021 |title=Emissions Gap Report 2020 / Executive Summary |url=https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/34438/EGR20ESE.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731143517/https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/34438/EGR20ESE.pdf |archive-date=31 July 2021 |website=UNEP.org |publisher=United Nations Environment Programme |at=p. XV Fig. ES.8}}</ref>
| image2 = 2019 Carbon dioxide emissions by income group - Oxfam data.svg
| caption2 = This pie chart illustrates both total emissions for each income group, and emissions ''per person'' within each income group. For example, the 10% with the highest incomes are responsible for half of carbon emissions, and its members emit an average of more than five times as much ''per person'' as members of the lowest half of the income scale.<ref name=OxfamClimateEquality_202311>{{cite book |title=Climate Equality: a Climate for the 99% |date=November 2023 |publisher=Oxfam International |url=https://webassets.oxfamamerica.org/media/documents/cr-climate-equality-201123-en.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123191311/https://webassets.oxfamamerica.org/media/documents/cr-climate-equality-201123-en.pdf |archive-date=23 November 2023 |url-status=live }} Fig. ES.2, Fig. ES.3, Box 1.2.</ref>
}}


] can include personal choices in many areas. These include diet, travel, household energy use, consumption of goods and services, and family size. People who wish to reduce their ] can take high-impact actions such as avoiding ] and petrol-fuelled cars, eating mainly a ], having fewer children,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Wolf |first1=C. |last2=Ripple |first2=W.J. |last3=Crist |first3=E. |date=2021 |title=Human population, social justice, and climate policy |journal=Sustainability Science |volume=16 |issue=5 |pages=1753–1756 |doi=10.1007/s11625-021-00951-w |bibcode=2021SuSc...16.1753W |s2cid=233404010}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Crist|first1=Eileen|last2=Ripple|first2=William J.|author-link2=William J. Ripple|last3= Ehrlich|first3=Paul R.|author-link3=Paul R. Ehrlich|last4=Rees|first4=William E.|author-link4=William E. Rees|last5=Wolf|first5=Christopher |date=2022 |title=Scientists' warning on population|url=https://scientistswarning.forestry.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/Crist2022.pdf|journal=]|volume=845 |issue=|page=157166 |doi=10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157166|pmid= 35803428|bibcode=2022ScTEn.84557166C |s2cid=250387801 |quote="Our first action call is a direct, global appeal to all women and men to choose none or at most one child. Individuals, especially if they aspire to large families, may pursue adoption, which is a desirable and compassionate choice for children who are here and need to be cared for."}}</ref> using clothes and electrical products for longer,<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 March 2022 |title=Six key lifestyle changes can help avert the climate crisis, study finds |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/07/six-key-lifestyle-changes-can-help-avert-the-climate-crisis-study-finds |access-date=7 March 2022 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref> and electrifying homes.<ref name="Adcock-2022">{{Cite web |last=Adcock |first=Bronwyn |date=2022 |title=Electric Monaros and hotted-up skateboards : the 'genius' who wants to electrify our world |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/feb/05/electric-monaros-and-hotted-up-skateboards-the-genius-who-wants-to-electrify-our-world |access-date=6 February 2022 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Ripple-2013" /> These approaches are more practical for people in high-income countries with high-consumption lifestyles. Naturally, it is more difficult for those with lower income statuses to make these changes. This is because choices like electric-powered cars may not be available. Excessive consumption is more to blame for climate change than population increase.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 November 2021 |title=COP26: How can an average family afford an electric car? And more questions |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-58925049 |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref> High-consumption lifestyles have a greater environmental impact, with the richest 10% of people emitting about half the total lifestyle emissions.<ref>{{cite web |date=10 April 2019 |title=Emissions inequality—a gulf between global rich and poor – Nicholas Beuret |url=https://www.socialeurope.eu/emissions-inequality |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026191732/https://www.socialeurope.eu/emissions-inequality |archive-date=26 October 2019 |access-date=26 October 2019 |website=Social Europe |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Westlake |first=Steve |title=Climate change: yes, your individual action does make a difference |url=http://theconversation.com/climate-change-yes-your-individual-action-does-make-a-difference-115169 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218042819/http://theconversation.com/climate-change-yes-your-individual-action-does-make-a-difference-115169 |archive-date=18 December 2019 |access-date=9 December 2019 |website=The Conversation |date=11 April 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
==Carbon intensity of fossil fuels ==
] (predominantly ]) produces less greenhouses gases per energy unit gained than ] which in turn produces less than ], principally because coal has a larger ratio of carbon to hydrogen.{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}} The combustion of natural gas emits almost 30 percent less carbon dioxide than oil, and just under 45 percent less carbon dioxide than coal. In addition, there are also other environmental benefits.<ref>Data and studies on CO<sub>2</sub>/megajoule for fossil & other fuels, at </ref>


=== Dietary change ===
A study performed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Gas Research Institute (GRI) in 1997 sought to discover whether the reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from increased natural gas (predominantly methane) use would be offset by a possible increased level of methane emissions from sources such as leaks and emissions. The study concluded that the reduction in emissions from increased natural gas use strongly outweighs the detrimental effects of increased methane emissions. Thus the increased use of natural gas in the place of other, dirtier fossil fuels can serve to lessen the emission of greenhouse gases in the United States.<ref name=autogenerated1 />
{{main|Low-carbon diet|Plant-based diet}}


Some scientists say that avoiding meat and dairy foods is the single biggest way an individual can reduce their environmental impact.<ref name="the Guardian-2018">{{cite web |date=31 May 2018 |title=Avoiding meat and dairy is 'single biggest way' to reduce your impact on Earth |url=http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/31/avoiding-meat-and-dairy-is-single-biggest-way-to-reduce-your-impact-on-earth |access-date=25 April 2021 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref> The widespread adoption of a vegetarian diet could cut food-related greenhouse gas emissions by 63% by 2050.<ref name="harvey-2016">{{cite news |last1=Harvey |first1=Fiona |author-link=Fiona Harvey |date=21 March 2016 |title=Eat less meat to avoid dangerous global warming, scientists say |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/mar/21/eat-less-meat-vegetarianism-dangerous-global-warming |access-date=20 June 2016 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> China introduced new dietary guidelines in 2016 which aim to cut meat consumption by 50% and thereby reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1{{nbsp}}Gt per year by 2030.<ref name="milman-2016">{{cite news |last1=Milman |first1=Oliver |date=20 June 2016 |title=China's plan to cut meat consumption by 50% cheered by climate campaigners |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/20/chinas-meat-consumption-climate-change |access-date=20 June 2016}}</ref> Overall, food accounts for the largest share of consumption-based greenhouse gas emissions. It is responsible for nearly 20% of the global carbon footprint. Almost 15% of all anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions have been attributed to the livestock sector.<ref name="Ripple-2013">{{cite journal |last1=Ripple |first1=William J. |last2=Smith |first2=Pete |display-authors=etal. |date=2013 |title=Ruminants, climate change and climate policy |url=https://trophiccascades.forestry.oregonstate.edu/sites/trophic/files/Ripple_2014_NCC.pdf |journal=] |volume=4 |issue= 1|pages=2–5 |doi=10.1038/nclimate2081|bibcode=2014NatCC...4....2R }}</ref>
==Reforestation and avoided deforestation==
{{main|Deforestation|Reforestation|Biosequestration}}
Almost 20% (8 GtCO<sub>2</sub>/year) of total greenhouse-gas emissions were from deforestation in 2007. The Stern Review found that, based on the ] of the landuse that would no longer be available for agriculture if deforestation were avoided, emission savings from avoided deforestation could potentially reduce CO<sub>2</sub> emissions for under $5/tCO<sub>2</sub>, possiblly as little as $1/tCO<sub>2</sub>. ] and ] could save at least another 1GtCO<sub>2</sub>/year, at an estimated cost of $5/tCO<sub>2</sub> to $15/tCO<sub>2</sub><ref name="stern"/>. The Review determined these figures by assessing 8 countries responsible for 70% of global deforestation emissions.


A shift towards ] would help to mitigate climate change.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Schiermeier |first1=Quirin |date=8 August 2019 |title=Eat less meat: UN climate-change report calls for change to human diet |journal=Nature |volume=572 |issue=7769 |pages=291–292 |bibcode=2019Natur.572..291S |doi=10.1038/d41586-019-02409-7 |pmid=31409926 |doi-access=free}}</ref> In particular, reducing meat consumption would help to reduce methane emissions.<ref>{{cite news |last=Harvey |first=Fiona |author-link=Fiona Harvey |date=4 April 2022 |title=Final warning: what does the IPCC's third report instalment say? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/04/final-warning-what-does-the-ipcc-third-report-instalment-say |access-date=5 April 2022 |work=The Guardian |location=}}</ref> If high-income nations switched to a plant-based diet, vast amounts of land used for animal agriculture could be allowed to ]. This in turn has the potential to sequester 100 billion tonnes of {{CO2}} by the end of the century.<ref>{{cite news |title=How plant-based diets not only reduce our carbon footprint, but also increase carbon capture |language=en |work=] |url=https://phys.org/news/2022-01-plant-based-diets-carbon-footprint-capture.html |access-date=15 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sun |first1=Zhongxiao |last2=Scherer |first2=Laura |last3=Tukker |first3=Arnold |last4=Spawn-Lee |first4=Seth A. |last5=Bruckner |first5=Martin |last6=Gibbs |first6=Holly K. |last7=Behrens |first7=Paul |date=January 2022 |title=Dietary change in high-income nations alone can lead to substantial double climate dividend |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357723207 |journal=Nature Food |language=en |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=29–37 |doi=10.1038/s43016-021-00431-5 |pmid=37118487 |issn=2662-1355 |url-access=subscription |s2cid=245867412}}</ref> A comprehensive analysis found that plant based diets reduce emissions, water pollution and land use significantly (by 75%), while reducing the destruction of wildlife and usage of water.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Carrington |first1=Damian |title=Vegan diet massively cuts environmental damage, study shows |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jul/20/vegan-diet-cuts-environmental-damage-climate-heating-emissions-study |access-date=20 July 2023 |work=] |date=21 July 2023}}</ref>
Pristine ] has been shown to store three times more carbon than ] estimates took into account, and 60% more carbon than ]<ref>Young, E. (2008). ''IPCC Wrong On Logging Threat to Climate.'' New Scientist, August 5, 2008. Retrieved on August 18, 2008, from http://environment.newscientist.com/article/dn14466-ipcc-wrong-on-logging-threat-toclimate.html</ref>. Preventing these forests from being logged would have significant effects.
]


=== Family size ===
Further significant savings from other non-energy-related-emissions could be gained through cuts to ], ], ], and emissions from various ]<ref name="stern"/>.
{{Further|Individual action on climate change#Family size}}]<nowiki> </nowiki>] has resulted in higher greenhouse gas emissions in most regions, particularly Africa.<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 6">IPCC (2022) in , Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, United States</ref>{{rp|6–11}} However, economic growth has a bigger effect than population growth.<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 5" />{{rp|6–622}} Rising incomes, changes in consumption and dietary patterns, as well as population growth, cause pressure on land and other natural resources. This leads to more greenhouse gas emissions and fewer carbon sinks.<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 7">IPCC (2022) in , Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, United States</ref>{{rp|117}} Some scholars have argued that humane policies to slow population growth should be part of a broad climate response together with policies that end fossil fuel use and encourage sustainable consumption.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Dodson |first1=Jenna C. |last2=Dérer |first2=Patrícia |last3=Cafaro |first3=Philip |last4=Götmark |first4=Frank |date=2020 |title=Population growth and climate change: Addressing the overlooked threat multiplier |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0048969720348750 |journal=Science of the Total Environment |language=en |volume=748 |pages=141346 |doi=10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141346|pmid=33113687 |bibcode=2020ScTEn.74841346D |s2cid=225035992 }}</ref> Advances in female education and ], especially voluntary ], can contribute to reducing population growth.<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 5" />{{rp|5–35}}


==Carbon capture and storage== == Preserving and enhancing carbon sinks ==
], including plant growth, soil uptake, and ocean uptake (]).]]
]
{{main|Carbon capture and storage}} {{Main|Carbon dioxide removal|Carbon sequestration|Carbon sink}}
{{seealso|Bio-energy with carbon storage|Biochar}}


An important mitigation measure is "preserving and enhancing ]s".<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 13" /> This refers to the management of Earth's natural ]s in a way that preserves or increases their capability to remove CO<sub>2</sub> from the atmosphere and to store it durably. Scientists call this process also ]. In the context of climate change mitigation, the IPCC defines a ''sink'' as "Any process, activity or mechanism which removes a greenhouse gas, an aerosol or a precursor of a greenhouse gas from the atmosphere".<ref name="IPCC AR6 WGI Glossary" />{{rp|2249}} Globally, the two most important carbon sinks are vegetation and the ].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2020-03-26 |title=Carbon Sources and Sinks |url=http://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/carbon-sources-and-sinks/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214082221/https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/carbon-sources-and-sinks/ |archive-date=14 December 2020 |access-date=2021-06-18 |website=National Geographic Society |language=en}}</ref>
'''Carbon capture and storage''' ('''CCS''') is a plan to mitigate climate change by capturing ] (CO<sub>2</sub>) from large point sources such as power plants and subsequently storing it away safely instead of releasing it into the atmosphere. Technology for capturing of CO<sub>2</sub> is already commercially available for large CO<sub>2</sub> emitters, such as power plants. Storage of CO<sub>2</sub>, on the other hand is a relatively untried concept and as yet (2007) no powerplant operates with a full carbon capture and storage system. When this technique is used with ], the technique is known as ] and may be ].


To enhance the ability of ]s to sequester carbon, changes are necessary in agriculture and forestry.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Levin |first=Kelly |date=8 August 2019 |title=How Effective Is Land At Removing Carbon Pollution? The IPCC Weighs In |url=https://www.wri.org/insights/how-effective-land-removing-carbon-pollution-ipcc-weighs |journal=World Resources Institute |language=en}}</ref> Examples are preventing ] and restoring natural ecosystems by ].<ref>Hoegh-Guldberg, O., D. Jacob, M. Taylor, M. Bindi, S. Brown, I. Camilloni, A. Diedhiou, R. Djalante, K.L. Ebi, F. Engelbrecht, J.Guiot, Y. Hijioka, S. Mehrotra, A. Payne, S.I. Seneviratne, A. Thomas, R. Warren, and G. Zhou, 2018: . In: . Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, US, pp. 175-312. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009157940.005.</ref>{{rp|266}} Scenarios that limit global warming to 1.5&nbsp;°C typically project the large-scale use of ] over the 21st century.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Bui |first1=Mai |last2=Adjiman |first2=Claire S. |last3=Bardow |first3=André |last4=Anthony |first4=Edward J. |last5=Boston |first5=Andy |last6=Brown |first6=Solomon |last7=Fennell |first7=Paul S. |last8=Fuss |first8=Sabine |last9=Galindo |first9=Amparo |last10=Hackett |first10=Leigh A. |last11=Hallett |first11=Jason P. |last12=Herzog |first12=Howard J. |last13=Jackson |first13=George |last14=Kemper |first14=Jasmin |last15=Krevor |first15=Samuel |date=2018 |title=Carbon capture and storage (CCS): the way forward |url=http://xlink.rsc.org/?DOI=C7EE02342A |journal=Energy & Environmental Science |language=en |volume=11 |issue=5 |pages=1062–1176 |doi=10.1039/C7EE02342A |issn=1754-5692|doi-access=free |hdl=10044/1/55714 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>{{rp|1068}}<ref name="IPCC-2018">IPCC, 2018: . In: . Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, US, pp. 3-24. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009157940.001.</ref>{{rp|17}} There are concerns about over-reliance on these technologies, and their environmental impacts.<ref name="IPCC-2018" />{{rp|17}}<ref>IPCC, 2018: . An . In Press.</ref>{{rp|34}} But ecosystem restoration and reduced conversion are among the mitigation tools that can yield the most emissions reductions before 2030.<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 13" />{{rp|43}}
CCS applied to a modern conventional power plant could reduce CO<sub>2</sub> emissions to the atmosphere by approximately 80-90% compared to a plant without CCS.{{Citation needed|date=April 2009}}


Land-based mitigation options are referred to as "AFOLU mitigation options" in the 2022 IPCC report on mitigation. The abbreviation stands for "agriculture, forestry and other land use"<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 13" />{{rp|37}} The report described the economic mitigation potential from relevant activities around forests and ecosystems as follows: "the conservation, improved management, and restoration of forests and other ecosystems (coastal wetlands, ], savannas and grasslands)". A high mitigation potential is found for reducing deforestation in tropical regions. The economic potential of these activities has been estimated to be 4.2 to 7.4 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (GtCO<sub>2</sub> -eq) per year.<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 13" />{{rp|37}}
Storage of the CO<sub>2</sub> is envisaged either in deep ]s, deep ]s, or in the form of ]. Geological formations are currently considered the most promising, and these are estimated to have a storage capacity of at least 2000 ] CO<sub>2</sub>.{{Citation needed|date=April 2009}} ] estimates that the economic potential of CCS could be between 10% and 55% of the total carbon mitigation effort until year 2100.{{Citation needed|date=April 2009}}


=== Forests ===
In October 2007, the Bureau of Economic Geology at ] at Austin received a 10-year, $38 million subcontract to conduct the first intensively monitored, long-term project in the United States studying the feasibility of injecting a large volume of CO<sub>2</sub> for underground storage.<ref>"Bureau of Economic Geology Receives $38 Million for First Large-Scale U.S. Test Storing Carbon Dioxide Underground" </ref> The project is a research program of the Southeast Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (SECARB), funded by the National Energy Technology Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The SECARB partnership will demonstrate CO<sub>2</sub> injection rate and storage capacity in the Tuscaloosa-Woodbine geologic system that stretches from Texas to Florida. The region has the potential to store more than 200 billion tons of CO<sub>2</sub> from major point sources in the region, equal to about 33 years of U.S. emissions overall at present rates. Beginning in fall 2007, the project will inject CO<sub>2</sub> at the rate of one million tons per year, for up to 1.5 years, into brine up to {{convert|10000|ft|m}} below the land surface near the Cranfield oil field about {{convert|15|mi|km}} east of ]. Experimental equipment will measure the ability of the subsurface to accept and retain CO<sub>2</sub>.{{Citation needed|date=April 2009}}
{{Further|Carbon sequestration#Forestry|Deforestation and climate change|Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation}}


====Conservation====
==Non-CO<sub>2</sub> climate actors==
{{Main|Deforestation#Control|Desertification#Countermeasures|Proforestation|Wildfire#Prevention}}


] to indigenous inhabitants is argued to efficiently conserve forests.]]
Action has been suggested on ], ] and other climate drivers, in addition to that proposed for CO<sub>2</sub> <ref name="ReferenceB"/>. Emissions of some of these actors are considered by the ].
The ] on the economics of climate change stated in 2007 that curbing ] was a highly cost-effective way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.<ref>{{cite book |author=Stern, Nicholas Herbert |url=http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/independent_reviews/stern_review_economics_climate_change/stern_review_report.cfm |title=The economics of climate change: the Stern review |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-521-70080-1 |location=Cambridge, UK |page=xxv |author-link=Nicholas Stern, Baron Stern of Brentford |access-date=2009-12-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061114045919/http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/independent_reviews/stern_review_economics_climate_change/stern_review_report.cfm |archive-date=2006-11-14 |url-status=live}}</ref> About 95% of deforestation occurs in the tropics, where clearing of land for agriculture is one of the main causes.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ritchie |first1=Hannah |last2=Roser |first2=Max |date=9 February 2021 |title=Forests and Deforestation |url=https://ourworldindata.org/drivers-of-deforestation |journal=Our World in Data}}</ref> One forest conservation strategy is to transfer rights over land from public ownership to its indigenous inhabitants.<ref name="Guardian1">{{cite news |date=22 July 2016 |title=India should follow China to find a way out of the woods on saving forest people |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/jul/22/india-follow-china-saving-forest-people-land-rights |access-date=2 November 2016}}</ref> Land concessions often go to powerful extractive companies.<ref name="Guardian1" /> Conservation strategies that exclude and even evict humans, called ], often lead to more exploitation of the land. This is because the native inhabitants turn to work for extractive companies to survive.<ref name="fp0718">{{cite magazine |date=16 July 2018 |title=How Conservation Became Colonialism |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/07/16/how-conservation-became-colonialism-environment-indigenous-people-ecuador-mining/ |magazine=Foreign Policy |access-date=30 July 2018}}</ref>


] is promoting forests to capture their full ecological potential.<ref name="ReferenceA2">{{Cite journal|last1=Moomaw|first1=William R.|last2=Masino|first2=Susan A.|last3=Faison|first3=Edward K.|year=2019|title=Intact Forests in the United States: Proforestation Mitigates Climate Change and Serves the Greatest Good|journal=Frontiers in Forests and Global Change|volume=2|page=27 |doi=10.3389/ffgc.2019.00027|bibcode=2019FrFGC...2...27M |doi-access=free}}</ref> This is a mitigation strategy as ]s that have regrown in abandoned farmland are found to have less biodiversity than the original ]s. Original forests store 60% more carbon than these new forests.<ref name="nytimes0109" /> Strategies include ] and establishing ]s.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web |date=3 April 2019 |title=The natural world can help save us from climate catastrophe {{pipe}} George Monbiot |url=http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/03/natural-world-climate-catastrophe-rewilding |website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|title=Effects of gray wolf-induced trophic cascades on ecosystem carbon cycling|first1=Christopher C.|last1=Wilmers|first2=Oswald J.|last2=Schmitz|date=19 October 2016|journal=Ecosphere|volume=7|issue=10|doi=10.1002/ecs2.1501|bibcode=2016Ecosp...7E1501W |doi-access=free}}</ref>
==Geoengineering==
{{main|geoengineering}}


====Afforestation and reforestation====
Geoengineering is seen by some as an alternative to mitigation and adaptation, but by others as an entirely separate response to climate change. Carbon sequestration is a form of mitigation, but is not mitigation as defined by climate activists. To them, the term is clearly defined as exclusively associated with reduction of ] emissions.{{Citation needed|date=January 2009}}


] is the establishment of trees where there was previously no tree cover. Scenarios for new plantations covering up to 4000 million hectares (Mha) (6300 x 6300&nbsp;km) suggest cumulative carbon storage of more than 900&nbsp;GtC (2300&nbsp;Gt{{CO2}}) until 2100.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=van Minnen |first1=Jelle G |last2=Strengers |first2=Bart J |last3=Eickhout |first3=Bas |last4=Swart |first4=Rob J |last5=Leemans |first5=Rik |title=Quantifying the effectiveness of climate change mitigation through forest plantations and carbon sequestration with an integrated land-use model |journal=Carbon Balance and Management |date=2008 |volume=3 |issue=1 |page=3 |doi=10.1186/1750-0680-3-3 |pmid=18412946 |pmc=2359746 |bibcode=2008CarBM...3....3V |issn=1750-0680 |doi-access=free }}</ref> But they are not a viable alternative to aggressive emissions reduction.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Boysen |first1=Lena R. |last2=Lucht |first2=Wolfgang |last3=Gerten |first3=Dieter |last4=Heck |first4=Vera |last5=Lenton |first5=Timothy M. |last6=Schellnhuber |first6=Hans Joachim |title=The limits to global-warming mitigation by terrestrial carbon removal |journal=Earth's Future |date=17 May 2017 |volume=5 |issue=5 |pages=463–474 |doi=10.1002/2016EF000469|bibcode=2017EaFut...5..463B |hdl=10871/31046 |s2cid=53062923 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> This is because the plantations would need to be so large they would eliminate most natural ecosystems or reduce food production.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Yoder |first1=Kate |title=Does planting trees actually help the climate? Here's what we know. |url=https://www.rewildingmag.com/does-planting-trees-help-climate-change/ |website=Rewilding |date=12 May 2022 |publisher=Grist |access-date=15 May 2022}}</ref> One example is the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=One trillion trees - uniting the world to save forests and climate |url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/01/one-trillion-trees-world-economic-forum-launches-plan-to-help-nature-and-the-climate/ |access-date=8 October 2020 |website=World Economic Forum |date=22 January 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Gabbatiss |first1=Josh |date=16 February 2019 |title=Massive restoration of world's forests would cancel out a decade of {{CO2}} emissions, analysis suggests |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/forests-climate-change-co2-greenhouse-gases-trillion-trees-global-warming-a8782071.html |access-date=26 July 2021 |publisher=Independent}}</ref> However, preserving ] is also important and for example not all ]s are suitable for conversion into forests.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hasler |first1=Natalia |last2=Williams |first2=Christopher A. |last3=Denney |first3=Vanessa Carrasco |last4=Ellis |first4=Peter W. |last5=Shrestha |first5=Surendra |last6=Terasaki Hart |first6=Drew E. |last7=Wolff |first7=Nicholas H. |last8=Yeo |first8=Samantha |last9=Crowther |first9=Thomas W. |last10=Werden |first10=Leland K. |last11=Cook-Patton |first11=Susan C. |date=2024-03-26 |title=Accounting for albedo change to identify climate-positive tree cover restoration |journal=Nature Communications |language=en |volume=15 |issue=1 |page=2275 |doi=10.1038/s41467-024-46577-1 |issn=2041-1723 |pmc=10965905 |pmid=38531896|bibcode=2024NatCo..15.2275H }}</ref> Grasslands can even turn from ]s to ]s. ]
Chapter 28 of the ] report ''Policy Implications of Greenhouse Warming: Mitigation, Adaptation, and the Science Base'' (1992) defined geoengineering as "options that would involve large-scale engineering of our environment in order to combat or counteract the effects of changes in atmospheric chemistry." <ref name="nas_policy_implications"> (1992), ] (COSEPUP)</ref> They evaluated a range of options to try to give preliminary answers to two questions: can these options work and could they be carried out with a reasonable cost. They also sought to encourage discussion of a third question - what adverse side effects might there be. The following types of option were examined: reforestation, increasing ocean absorption of carbon dioxide (carbon sequestration) and screening out some sunlight. NAS also argued "Engineered countermeasures need to be evaluated but should not be implemented without broad understanding of the direct effects and the potential side effects, the ethical issues, and the risks.".<ref name="nas_policy_implications"/>
===Solar radiation management===
] precursors to the ], although the feasibility of using them has not been evaluated <ref>{{cite doi|10.1098/rsta.2008.0131}}</ref>]]
{{main|Solar radiation management|Stratospheric sulfur aerosols (geoengineering)|Marine cloud brightening}}
Some scientists have suggested using ]s and/or sulfate dust to alter the Earth's ], or reflectivity, as an emergency measure to increase ] and thus stave off the effects of ]. A 0.5% albedo increase would roughly halve the effect of CO<sub>2</sub> doubling.<ref></ref> In 1974, Russian expert Mikhail Budyko suggested that if global warming became a problem, we could cool down the planet by burning sulfur in the stratosphere, which would create a haze. ] suggests that this would cost 25 to 50 billion dollars/year. It would, however, increase the environmental problem of ]<ref>
{{cite web
|url=http://www.aip.org/history/climate/aerosol.htm
|title=Aerosols: Effects of Haze and Cloud
|author=Spencer Weart
|month=July | year=2006}}</ref><ref>
{{cite journal
| quotes =
| author = Crutzen, P.
| date =
| year = 2006
| month = August
| title = Albedo enhancement by stratospheric sulfur injections: a contribution to resolve a policy dilemma?
| journal = ]
| volume = 77
| issue = 3-4
| pages = 211–220
| doi = 10.1007/s10584-006-9101-y
| id =
| url = http://www.springerlink.com/content/t1vn75m458373h63/fulltext.pdf
| language =
| format =
| accessdate =
| laysummary =
| laysource =
| laydate =
| quote =
}}</ref><ref>
{{cite journal
| quotes =
| author = Harshvardhan
|date=06/1978
| year = 1978
| month = June
| title = Albedo enhancement and perturbation of radiation balance due to stratospheric aerosols
| journal = Science
| volume = 289
| issue =
| pages = 1763
| issn =
| doi =
| id = 1978aepr.rept.....H
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| language =
| format =
| accessdate =
| laysummary =
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| laydate =
| quote =
}}</ref> (although optimized engineering is thought to reduce this to insignificant levels{{Citation needed|date=January 2009}})and drought.<ref name=NewScientistRisks>{{cite web|url=http://environment.newscientist.com/article/dn12397-sunshade-for-global-warming-could-cause-drought.html|title='Sunshade' for global warming could cause drought|date=2 August 2007|publisher='']''|last=Brahic|first=Catherine}}</ref>


] is the restocking of existing depleted forests or in places where there were recently forests. Reforestation could save at least 1{{nbsp}}GtCO<sub>2</sub> per year, at an estimated cost of $5–15 per tonne of carbon dioxide (tCO<sub>2</sub>).<ref name="stern">Stern, N. (2006). ''Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change: Part III: The Economics of Stabilisation.'' HM Treasury, London: http://hm-treasury.gov.uk/sternreview_index.htm</ref> Restoring all degraded forests all over the world could capture about 205&nbsp;GtC (750&nbsp;Gt{{CO2}}).<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Chazdon |first1=Robin |author-link=Robin Chazdon |last2=Brancalion |first2=Pedro |date=5 July 2019 |title=Restoring forests as a means to many ends |journal=Science |language=en |volume=365 |issue=6448 |pages=24–25 |bibcode=2019Sci...365...24C |doi=10.1126/science.aax9539 |issn=0036-8075 |pmid=31273109 |s2cid=195804244}}</ref> With increased ] and ], there is an increase in the amount of abandoned farmland. By some estimates, for every acre of original ] cut down, more than 50 acres of new ]s are growing.<ref name="nytimes0109">{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/30/science/earth/30forest.html?pagewanted=all|title=New Jungles Prompt a Debate on Rain Forests|newspaper=New York Times |access-date=18 July 2016|date=29 January 2009}}</ref><ref>Young, E. (2008). ''IPCC Wrong On Logging Threat to Climate.'' New Scientist, 5 August 2008. Retrieved on 18 August 2008, from https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn14466-ipcc-wrong-on-logging-threat-toclimate.html</ref> In some countries, promoting regrowth on abandoned farmland could offset years of emissions.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/17/science/forests-carbon-dioxide.html?_r=1|title=In Latin America, Forests May Rise to Challenge of Carbon Dioxide|newspaper=New York Times |access-date=18 July 2016|date=16 May 2016}}</ref>
An alternative technique, which may be more benign, is ]. Others have proposed building a literal ] in space.


Planting new trees can be expensive and a risky investment. For example, about 80 percent of planted trees in the ] die within two years.<ref name="ScientificAmerican2011" /> Reforestation has higher carbon storage potential than afforestation. Even long-deforested areas still contain an "underground forest" of living roots and tree stumps. Helping native species sprout naturally is cheaper than planting new trees and they are more likely to survive. This could include ] and ] to accelerate growth. This also provides woodfuel, which is otherwise a major source of deforestation. Such practices, called ], are centuries old but the biggest obstacle towards implementation is ownership of the trees by the state. The state often sells timber rights to businesses which leads to locals uprooting seedlings because they see them as a liability. Legal aid for locals<ref>{{Cite book |title=Securing Rights, Combating Climate Change |date=23 July 2014 |url=https://www.wri.org/research/securing-rights-combating-climate-change|access-date=2 June 2022|publisher=World Resources Institute |isbn=978-1569738290 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Community forestry can work, but plans in the Democratic Republic of Congo show what's missing |url=https://theconversation.com/community-forestry-can-work-but-plans-in-the-democratic-republic-of-congo-show-whats-missing-138625|access-date=2 June 2022 |website=The Conversation |date=29 June 2020 |language=en-US}}</ref> and changes to property law such as in Mali and Niger have led to significant changes. Scientists describe them as the largest positive environmental transformation in Africa. It is possible to discern from space the border between Niger and the more barren land in Nigeria, where the law has not changed.<ref name="ScientificAmerican2011">{{cite web|url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/farmers-in-sahel-beat-back-drought-and-climate-change-with-trees/|title=The Great Green Wall: African Farmers Beat Back Drought and Climate Change with Trees|publisher=Scientific America|access-date=12 September 2021|date=28 January 2011}}</ref><ref name="ensia2020">{{cite web|url=https://ensia.com/features/in-semi-arid-africa-farmers-are-transforming-the-underground-forest-into-life-giving-trees/|title=In semi-arid Africa, farmers are transforming the "underground forest" into life-giving trees|publisher=University of Minnesote|access-date=11 February 2020|date=28 January 2011}}</ref>
===Greenhouse gas remediation===
{{main|Greenhouse gas remediation|Carbon sequestration}}


===Soils===
] has been proposed as a method of reducing the amount of ]. Carbon sequestration is a term that describes processes that remove carbon from the atmosphere. A variety of means of artificially capturing and storing carbon, as well as of enhancing natural sequestration processes, are being explored. The main natural process is ] by plants and single-celled organisms (see ]). Artificial processes vary, and concerns have been expressed about their long-term effects.<ref name=RoyalSociety> The Royal Society, (2009) . Retrieved 2009-09-12</ref>
{{Further|Carbon sequestration#Agriculture|Carbon farming|}}


There are many measures to increase soil carbon.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 February 2022 |title=What to consider when increasing soil carbon stocks |url=https://www.fwi.co.uk/arable/land-preparation/soils/what-to-consider-when-increasing-soil-carbon-stocks |access-date=2 December 2022 |website=Farmers Weekly |language=en-US |quote=many factors can affect how easy it is for micro-organisms to access carbon}}</ref> This makes it complex<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Terrer |first1=C. |last2=Phillips |first2=R. P. |last3=Hungate |first3=B. A. |last4=Rosende |first4=J. |last5=Pett-Ridge |first5=J. |last6=Craig |first6=M. E. |last7=van Groenigen |first7=K. J. |last8=Keenan |first8=T. F. |last9=Sulman |first9=B. N. |last10=Stocker |first10=B. D. |last11=Reich |first11=P. B. |last12=Pellegrini |first12=A. F. A. |last13=Pendall |first13=E. |last14=Zhang |first14=H. |last15=Evans |first15=R. D. |date=March 2021 |title=A trade-off between plant and soil carbon storage under elevated {{CO2}} |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03306-8 |journal=Nature |language=en |volume=591 |issue=7851 |pages=599–603 |doi=10.1038/s41586-021-03306-8 |pmid=33762765 |bibcode=2021Natur.591..599T |hdl=10871/124574 |s2cid=232355402 |issn=1476-4687 |quote=Although plant biomass often increases in elevated {{CO2}} (e{{CO2}}) experiments SOC has been observed to increase, remain unchanged or even decline. The mechanisms that drive this variation across experiments remain poorly understood, creating uncertainty in climate projections|hdl-access=free }}</ref> and hard to measure and account for.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 March 2022 |title=Carbon farming explained: the pros, the cons and the EU's plans |url=https://www.cleanenergywire.org/factsheets/carbon-farming-explained-pros-cons-and-eus-plans |access-date=2 December 2022 |website=Clean Energy Wire |language=en |quote=But many German researchers and the country's agriculture ministry warn that soil carbon sequestration is easily reversible, hard to measure, and could lead to greenwashing. Existing frameworks for carbon farming certificates deploy a wide variety of approaches to quantifying the amount of carbon removals, the European Commission says.}}</ref> One advantage is that there are fewer trade-offs for these measures than for ] or afforestation, for example.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}
Although they require land, natural sinks can be enhanced by reforestation and afforestation ]s, which fix carbon dioxide for as little as $0.11 per metric ton{{Citation needed|date=September 2007}}.


Globally, protecting healthy soils and restoring the soil carbon sponge could remove 7.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually. This is more than the annual emissions of the US.<ref name="wri.org">{{Cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Nancy |last2=Gibbs |first2=David |date=21 January 2021 |title=Forests Absorb Twice As Much Carbon As They Emit Each Year |url=https://www.wri.org/insights/forests-absorb-twice-much-carbon-they-emit-each-year |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rosane |first1=Olivia |title=Protecting and Restoring Soils Could Remove 5.5 Billion Tonnes of {{CO2}} a Year |url=https://www.ecowatch.com/soil-protection-co2-2645518371.html |access-date=19 March 2020 |agency=Ecowatch |date=18 March 2020}}</ref> Trees capture {{CO2}} while growing above ground and ] larger amounts of carbon below ground. Trees contribute to the building of a ]. Carbon formed above ground is released as {{CO2}} immediately when wood is burned. If dead wood remains untouched, only some of the carbon returns to the atmosphere as decomposition proceeds.<ref name="wri.org" />
====Biochar====
{{main|Biochar}}
Charcoal, or ], created by ] of biomass can be buried to create ]. The production of biochar may or may not involve energy recovery. The intention is that the carbon in the biomass is removed from the atmosphere for a longer period of time than would otherwise be the case.


Farming can deplete soil carbon and render soil incapable of supporting life. However, ] can protect carbon in soils, and repair damage over time.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Papanicolaou |first1=A. N. (Thanos) |last2=Wacha |first2=Kenneth M. |last3=Abban |first3=Benjamin K. |last4=Wilson |first4=Christopher G. |last5=Hatfield |first5=Jerry L. |last6=Stanier |first6=Charles O. |last7=Filley |first7=Timothy R. |year=2015 |title=Conservation Farming Shown to Protect Carbon in Soil |url=https://eos.org/research-spotlights/conservation-farming-shown-to-protect-carbon-in-soil |journal=Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences |volume=120 |issue=11 |pages=2375–2401 |bibcode=2015JGRG..120.2375P |doi=10.1002/2015JG003078 |doi-access=free}}</ref> The farming practice of ]s is a form of ].<ref>{{cite news |year=2016 |title=Cover Crops, a Farming Revolution With Deep Roots in the Past |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/07/business/cover-crops-a-farming-revolution-with-deep-roots-in-the-past.html?_r=0}}</ref> Methods that enhance carbon sequestration in soil include ], residue mulching and ]. Scientists have described the best management practices for European soils to increase soil organic carbon. These are conversion of arable land to grassland, straw incorporation, reduced tillage, straw incorporation combined with reduced tillage, ] system and cover crops.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lugato |first1=Emanuele |last2=Bampa |first2=Francesca |last3=Panagos |first3=Panos |last4=Montanarella |first4=Luca |last5=Jones |first5=Arwyn |date=1 November 2014 |title=Potential carbon sequestration of European arable soils estimated by modelling a comprehensive set of management practices |journal=Global Change Biology |volume=20 |issue=11 |pages=3557–3567 |bibcode=2014GCBio..20.3557L |doi=10.1111/gcb.12551 |issn=1365-2486 |pmid=24789378 |doi-access=free}}</ref>
====Bio-energy with carbon capture and storage, BECCS====
{{main|Bio-energy with carbon capture and storage}}
During its growth, biomass traps carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. When the biomass decomposes or is combusted, the carbon is again released as carbon dioxide. This process is part of the global ]. Through the use of biomass for energy and materials, eg. in biomass fuelled power plants, parts of this cycle is controlled by man. Combining these biomass systems with ] technologies, so called ], BECCS, is achieved. BECCS systems results in net-negative carbon dioxide emissions, ie. the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.<ref>Obersteiner, M., Azar, C., Kauppi, P., Möllersten, K., Moreira, J., Nilsson, S., Read, P., Riahi, K., Schlamadinger, B., Yamagata, Y., Yan, J., and van Ypersele, J. P.: (2001), Science, 294(5543), 786–787.</ref>
In comparison with other geoengineering options, BECCS has been suggested as a low-risk, near-term tool to effectively remove carbon from the atmosphere.<ref name="RoyalSociety"/><ref name=IPCC2007>Fischer, B.S., N. Nakicenovic, K. Alfsen, J. Corfee Morlot, F. de la Chesnaye, J.-Ch. Hourcade, K. Jiang, M. Kainuma, E. La Rovere, A. Matysek, A. Rana, K. Riahi, R. Richels, S. Rose, D. van Vuuren, R. Warren, (2007) , Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.</ref><ref>Azar, C., Lindgren, K., Larson, E.D. and Möllersten, K.: (2006), Climatic Change, 74, 47-79.</ref>


Another mitigation option is the production of ] and its storage in soils This is the solid material that remains after the ] of ]. Biochar production releases half of the carbon from the biomass—either released into the atmosphere or captured with CCS—and retains the other half in the stable biochar.<ref name="Lehmann-2021">{{Cite journal |last1=Lehmann |first1=Johannes |last2=Cowie |first2=Annette |last3=Masiello |first3=Caroline A. |last4=Kammann |first4=Claudia |last5=Woolf |first5=Dominic |last6=Amonette |first6=James E. |last7=Cayuela |first7=Maria L. |last8=Camps-Arbestain |first8=Marta |last9=Whitman |first9=Thea |date=2021 |title=Biochar in climate change mitigation |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-021-00852-8 |journal=Nature Geoscience |language=en |volume=14 |issue=12 |pages=883–892 |doi=10.1038/s41561-021-00852-8 |bibcode=2021NatGe..14..883L |s2cid=85463771 |issn=1752-0908}}</ref> It can endure in soil for thousands of years.<ref name="DOI10.1038/ncomms1053">{{cite journal |author=Dominic Woolf |author2=James E. Amonette |author3=F. Alayne Street-Perrott |author4=Johannes Lehmann |author5=Stephen Joseph |date=August 2010 |title=Sustainable biochar to mitigate global climate change |journal=Nature Communications |volume=1 |issue=5 |pages=56 |bibcode=2010NatCo...1...56W |doi=10.1038/ncomms1053 |issn=2041-1723 |pmc=2964457 |pmid=20975722}}</ref> Biochar may increase the ] of ]s and increase ]. During production of biochar, heat is released which may be used as ].<ref name="Lehmann-2021" />
====Carbon air capture====
{{main|Carbon air capture}}
{{seealso|Carbon dioxide air capture|BECS}}
It is notable that the availability of cheap energy and appropriate sites for ] of carbon may make ] viable commercially. It is, however, generally expected that carbon dioxide air capture may be uneconomic when compared to ] from major sources - in particular, fossil fuel powered power stations, refineries, etc. In such cases, costs of energy produced will grow significantly.{{Citation needed|date=January 2009}} However, captured CO<sub>2</sub> can be used to force more ] out of ]s, as ] and ] have made plans to do.<ref> , ] via ], March 8, 2006, checked 2009-01-15</ref> CO<sub>2</sub> can also be used in commercial ]s, giving an opportunity to kick-start the technology. Some attempts have been made to use ] to capture ] emissions, notably the ], who have now shut down operations . This technology has not reached commercial level yet.


====Seeding oceans with iron==== === Wetlands ===
{{Further|Carbon sequestration#Wetlands|Wetland#Climate change mitigation}}
] bloom in the ], off the coast of ] covering an area about 300 ]s by 50 miles]]
:''See also: ]''


Wetland restoration is an important mitigation measure. It has moderate to great mitigation potential on a limited land area with low trade-offs and costs.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}} Wetlands perform two important functions in relation to climate change. They can ], converting carbon dioxide to solid plant material through ]. They also store and regulate water.<ref>{{cite book |title=Synthesis of Adaptation Options for Coastal Areas |date=2009 |publisher=US Environmental Protection Agency |series=Climate Ready Estuaries Program, EPA 430-F-08-024 |location=Washington, DC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 February 2020 |title=Coastal Wetland Protection |url=https://drawdown.org/solutions/coastal-wetland-protection |access-date=13 September 2020 |website=Project Drawdown |language=en}}</ref> Wetlands store about 45 million tonnes of carbon per year globally.<ref name="Chmura, G. L. 20032">{{cite journal |last1=Chmura |first1=G. L. |date=2003 |title=Global carbon sequestration in tidal, saline wetland soils |journal=Global Biogeochemical Cycles |volume=17 |issue=4 |bibcode=2003GBioC..17.1111C |doi=10.1029/2002GB001917 |doi-access=free |s2cid=36119878|page=Abstract}}</ref>
The so-called Geritol solution to global warming, first proposed by oceanographer ], is a carbon sequestration strategy whimsically named for ]. It is motivated by evidence that seeding the oceans with ] will increase ] populations, and thereby draw more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. A report in Nature, 10 October 1996, by K. H. Coale et al., measured the effects of seeding equatorial Pacific waters with iron, finding that 700 grams of CO<sub>2</sub> were fixed by the resulting phytoplankton bloom per 1 gram of iron seeded.<ref>Coale, KH et al.,"A massive phytoplankton bloom induced by an ecosystem-scale iron fertilization experiment in the equatorial Pacific Ocean," Nature 383(6600): 495-501, 10 Oct. 1996.</ref>. Lenton and Vaughan found this technique to be potentially useful, but limited in its total capacity.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Lenton|first=Tim|coauthors=Vaughan|date=2009-01-28|journal=Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss.|publisher=Copernicus|url=http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/9/2559/2009/acpd-9-2559-2009.pdf}}</ref>


Some ].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Tiwari |first1=Shashank |title=Restoration of Wetland Ecosystem: A Trajectory Towards a Sustainable Environment |last2=Singh |first2=Chhatarpal |last3=Singh |first3=Jay Shankar |date=2020 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-981-13-7665-8 |editor-last=Upadhyay |editor-first=Atul Kumar |location=Singapore |pages=59–74 |language=en |chapter=Wetlands: A Major Natural Source Responsible for Methane Emission |doi=10.1007/978-981-13-7665-8_5 |editor2-last=Singh |editor2-first=Ranjan |editor3-last=Singh |editor3-first=D. P. |s2cid=198421761}}</ref> Some also emit ].<ref name="Bange-2006">{{Cite journal |last=Bange |first=Hermann W. |date=2006 |title=Nitrous oxide and methane in European coastal waters |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0272771406002496 |journal=Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science |language=en |volume=70 |issue=3 |pages=361–374 |bibcode=2006ECSS...70..361B |doi=10.1016/j.ecss.2006.05.042}}</ref><ref name="Thompson-2012">{{cite journal |last1=Thompson |first1=A. J. |last2=Giannopoulos |first2=G. |last3=Pretty |first3=J. |last4=Baggs |first4=E. M. |last5=Richardson |first5=D. J. |date=2012 |title=Biological sources and sinks of nitrous oxide and strategies to mitigate emissions |journal=Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B |volume=367 |issue=1593 |pages=1157–1168 |doi=10.1098/rstb.2011.0415 |pmc=3306631 |pmid=22451101}}</ref> ]land globally covers just 3% of the land's surface.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 January 2018 |title=Climate change and deforestation threaten world's largest tropical peatland |url=https://www.carbonbrief.org/climate-change-and-deforestation-threaten-worlds-largest-tropical-peatland |website=Carbon Brief}}</ref> But it stores up to 550 gigatonnes (Gt) of carbon. This represents 42% of all soil carbon and exceeds the carbon stored in all other vegetation types, including the world's forests.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 November 2017 |title=Peatlands and climate change |url=https://www.iucn.org/resources/issues-briefs/peatlands-and-climate-change |website=IUCN}}</ref> The threat to peatlands includes draining the areas for agriculture. Another threat is cutting down trees for lumber, as the trees help hold and fix the peatland.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Maclean |first=Ruth |date=22 February 2022 |title=What Do the Protectors of Congo's Peatlands Get in Return? |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/02/21/headway/peatlands-congo-climate-change.html |access-date=30 May 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 November 2017 |title=Peatlands and climate change |url=https://www.iucn.org/resources/issues-briefs/peatlands-and-climate-change |access-date=30 May 2022 |website=IUCN |language=en}}</ref> Additionally, peat is often sold for compost.<ref>{{cite news |date=7 November 2021 |title=Climate change: National Trust joins international call for peat product ban |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-59195535 |access-date=12 June 2022}}</ref> It is possible to restore degraded peatlands by blocking drainage channels in the peatland, and allowing natural vegetation to recover.<ref name="ReferenceA" /><ref>Harenda K.M., Lamentowicz M., Samson M., Chojnicki B.H. (2018) The Role of Peatlands and Their Carbon Storage Function in the Context of Climate Change. In: Zielinski T., Sagan I., Surosz W. (eds) Interdisciplinary Approaches for Sustainable Development Goals. GeoPlanet: Earth and Planetary Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71788-3_12</ref>
Opponents of this approach argue that fertilizing the ocean is dangerous and lacks any guarantee of efficacy. The original researchers themselves assert that, far from being a panacea for global warming, iron seeding may be entirely ineffective. Among their concerns are that nobody knows where the carbon goes after it is absorbed by phytoplankton. Instead of being drawn down to the ocean floor and acting as a carbon sink, the carbon could be reabsorbed by the water, effectively negating any initial gain. They also express concern that any attempt at ] could result in massive, unpredictable changes to the environment. They point out that, considering the immense damage caused by adding nutrients to lakes and ponds, it would be a logical conclusion that adding nutrients to the ocean would also cause environmental damage. Large-scale growth in phytoplankton could reduce oxygen levels, creating ] where the ocean cannot support marine-life. They suggest that there is even the possibility that blooms would release more ] greenhouse gas in the form of methane than it would sequester.<ref>{{Cite news
| last = Mayell
| first = Hillary
| title = Study Challenges Idea of Seeding Oceans With Iron to Curb Global Warming
| newspaper = National Geographic News
| year = 2001
|date=January 8, 2001
| url = http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/01/0108_020108oceaniron.html}}</ref>
<ref> Oceanographers cautiously explore a global warming therapy Monastersky, Richard September 1995</ref>


]s, ]es and ]es make up the majority of the ocean's vegetated habitats. They only equal 0.05% of the plant biomass on land. But they store carbon 40 times faster than tropical forests.<ref name="ReferenceA" /> ], ] for coastal development and ] have damaged coastal habitats. Notably, 85% of ]s globally have been removed in the last two centuries. Oyster reefs clean the water and help other species thrive. This increases biomass in that area. In addition, oyster reefs mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing the force of waves from hurricanes. They also reduce the erosion from rising sea levels.<ref>{{cite web |date=31 August 2021 |title=How oysters can stop a flood |url=https://www.vox.com/videos/22650761/oyster-reef-restoration-flooding-climate-change |access-date=2 June 2022 |publisher=Vox}}</ref> Restoration of coastal wetlands is thought to be more cost-effective than restoration of inland wetlands.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Taillardat |first1=Pierre |last2=Thompson |first2=Benjamin S. |last3=Garneau |first3=Michelle |last4=Trottier |first4=Karelle |last5=Friess |first5=Daniel A. |date=6 October 2020 |title=Climate change mitigation potential of wetlands and the cost-effectiveness of their restoration |journal=Interface Focus |volume=10 |issue=5 |pages=20190129 |doi=10.1098/rsfs.2019.0129 |pmc=7435041 |pmid=32832065 |quote=Analysis of wetland restoration costs relative to the amount of carbon they can sequester revealed that restoration is more cost-effective in coastal wetlands such as mangroves (US$1800 ton C−1) compared with inland wetlands (US$4200–49 200 ton C−1). We advise that for inland wetlands, priority should be given to conservation rather than restoration; while for coastal wetlands, both conservation and restoration may be effective techniques for climate change mitigation.}}</ref>
==Societal controls==
Another method being examined is to make carbon a new currency by introducing tradeable "Personal Carbon Credits". The idea being it will encourage and motivate individuals to reduce their 'carbon footprint' by the way they live. Each citizen will receive a free annual quota of carbon that they can use to travel, buy food, and go about their business. It has been suggested that by using this concept it could actually solve two problems; pollution and poverty, old age pensioners will actually be better off because they fly less often, so they can cash in their quota at the end of the year to pay heating bills, etc.{{Citation needed|previous source deadlink|date=April 2009}}


=== Deep ocean ===
==Governmental and intergovernmental action==
{{Further|Carbon sequestration#Sequestration techniques in oceans|Ocean acidification#Technologies to remove carbon dioxide from the ocean|Blue carbon}}
{{Environmental law}}
{{main|Politics of global warming}}


These options focus on the carbon which ocean reservoirs can store. They include ], ] or ].<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 12">IPCC (2022) in , Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, United States</ref>{{rp|12–36}} The IPCC found in 2022 ocean-based mitigation options currently have only limited deployment potential. But it assessed that their future mitigation potential is large.<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 12" />{{rp|12–4}} It found that in total, ocean-based methods could remove 1–100&nbsp;Gt of {{CO2}} per year.<ref name="IPCC-2022" />{{rp|TS-94}} Their costs are in the order of US$40–500 per tonne of {{CO2}}. Most of these options could also help to reduce ]. This is the drop in pH value caused by increased atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> concentrations.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Doney |first1=Scott C. |last2=Busch |first2=D. Shallin |last3=Cooley |first3=Sarah R. |last4=Kroeker |first4=Kristy J. |date=2020 |title=The Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Marine Ecosystems and Reliant Human Communities |journal=Annual Review of Environment and Resources |language=en |volume=45 |issue=1 |pages=83–112 |doi=10.1146/annurev-environ-012320-083019 |issn=1543-5938 |s2cid=225741986 |doi-access=free}}</ref>
===Kyoto Protocol===
{{main|Kyoto Protocol}}


Blue carbon management is another type of ocean-based biological ] (CDR). It can involve land-based as well as ocean-based measures.<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 12" />{{rp|12–51}}<ref>Canadell, J.G., P.M.S. Monteiro, M.H. Costa, L. Cotrim da Cunha, P.M. Cox, A.V. Eliseev, S. Henson, M. Ishii, S. Jaccard, C. Koven, A. Lohila, P.K. Patra, S. Piao, J. Rogelj, S. Syampungani, S. Zaehle, and K. Zickfeld, 2021: . In '''' . Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA, pp. 673–816, doi: 10.1017/9781009157896.007.</ref>{{rp|764}} The term usually refers to the role that ]es, ]s and ]es can play in carbon sequestration.<ref name="IPCC AR6 WGI Glossary">IPCC, 2021: . In . Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA, pp. 2215–2256, doi:10.1017/9781009157896.022.</ref>{{rp|2220}} Some of these efforts can also take place in deep ocean waters. This is where the vast majority of ocean carbon is held. These ecosystems can contribute to climate change mitigation and also to ]. Conversely, when blue carbon ecosystems are degraded or lost they release carbon back to the atmosphere.<ref name="IPCC AR6 WGI Glossary" />{{rp|2220}} There is increasing interest in developing blue carbon potential.<ref name="Ricart2022">{{cite journal |last1=Ricart |first1=Aurora M. |last2=Krause-Jensen |first2=Dorte |last3=Hancke |first3=Kasper |last4=Price |first4=Nichole N. |last5=Masqué |first5=Pere |last6=Duarte |first6=Carlos M. |date=2022 |title=Sinking seaweed in the deep ocean for carbon neutrality is ahead of science and beyond the ethics |journal=Environmental Research Letters |volume=17 |issue=8 |page=081003 |bibcode=2022ERL....17h1003R |doi=10.1088/1748-9326/ac82ff |s2cid=250973225 |doi-access=free|hdl=10754/679874 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> Scientists have found that in some cases these types of ecosystems remove far more carbon per area than terrestrial forests. However, the long-term effectiveness of blue carbon as a carbon dioxide removal solution remains under discussion.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hurd |first1=Catriona L. |last2=Law |first2=Cliff S. |last3=Bach |first3=Lennart T. |last4=Britton |first4=Damon |last5=Hovenden |first5=Mark |last6=Paine |first6=Ellie R. |last7=Raven |first7=John A. |last8=Tamsitt |first8=Veronica |last9=Boyd |first9=Philip W. |date=2022 |title=Forensic carbon accounting: Assessing the role of seaweeds for carbon sequestration |journal=Journal of Phycology |volume=58 |issue=3 |pages=347–363 |doi=10.1111/jpy.13249 |pmid=35286717 |bibcode=2022JPcgy..58..347H |s2cid=247453370|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name="Ricart2022" /><ref name="Boyd2022">{{cite journal |last1=Boyd |first1=Philip W. |last2=Bach |first2=Lennart T. |last3=Hurd |first3=Catriona L. |last4=Paine |first4=Ellie |last5=Raven |first5=John A. |last6=Tamsitt |first6=Veronica |date=2022 |title=Potential negative effects of ocean afforestation on offshore ecosystems |journal=Nature Ecology & Evolution |volume=6 |issue=6 |pages=675–683 |doi=10.1038/s41559-022-01722-1 |pmid=35449458 |bibcode=2022NatEE...6..675B |s2cid=248322820}}</ref>
The main current international agreement on combating climate change is the ], which came into force on 16 February 2005. The Kyoto Protocol is an ] to the ] (UNFCCC). ] have committed to reduce their emissions of ] and five other ]es, or engage in ] if they maintain or increase emissions of these gases.


===Copenhagen 2009=== ===Enhanced weathering===
{{Main|Enhanced weathering}}
{{main|2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference}}


Enhanced weathering could remove 2–4&nbsp;Gt of {{CO2}} per year. This process aims to accelerate natural ] by spreading finely ground ] rock, such as ], onto surfaces. This speeds up chemical reactions between rocks, water, and air. It ] from the atmosphere, permanently storing it in solid ]s or ocean ].<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 February 2018|title=Guest post: How 'enhanced weathering' could slow climate change and boost crop yields|url=https://www.carbonbrief.org/guest-post-how-enhanced-weathering-could-slow-climate-change-and-boost-crop-yields|access-date=3 November 2021|website=Carbon Brief|language=en|archive-date=8 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908204350/https://www.carbonbrief.org/guest-post-how-enhanced-weathering-could-slow-climate-change-and-boost-crop-yields|url-status=live}}</ref> Cost estimates are in the US$50–200 per tonne range of {{CO2}}.<ref name="IPCC-2022" />{{rp|TS-94}}
The first phase of the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/apr/14/global-warming-target-2c
|quote=The poll comes as UN negotiations to agree a new global treaty to regulate carbon pollution gather pace in advance of a key meeting in Copenhagen in December. Officials will try to agree a successor to the Kyoto protocol, the first phase of which expires in 2012.
|title=World will not meet 2C warming target, climate change experts agree
|publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited
|last=Adam
|first=David
|date=14 April 2009
|accessdate=2009-04-14 }}</ref> The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December 2009 will be the next in an annual series of UN meetings that followed the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio. In 1997 the talks led to the Kyoto Protocol, Copenhagen is the world's chance to agree a successor to Kyoto that will bring about meaningful carbon cuts.<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/mar/25/copenhagen-climate-change-summit
| title=Why the Copenhagen climate change cliffhanger could drag on a little longer
| last=Adam
| first=David
| publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited
| date=25 March 2009
| accessdate=2009-04-14}}</ref>


== Other methods to capture and store CO<sub>2</sub> ==
===Encouraging use changes===
{{Main|Direct air capture|Carbon capture and storage|Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage}}
==== Carbon emissions trading ====
{{main|Carbon emissions trading}}


]
The ] (EU ETS) <ref> from ''ec.europa.eu''</ref> is the largest multi-national, greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme in the world. It commenced operation on 1 January 2005, and all 25 member states of the ] participate in the scheme which has created a new market in carbon dioxide allowances estimated at 35 billion Euros (US$43 billion) per year.<ref> ''Robins, Nick'' for Opendemocracy</ref> The ] was the first (voluntary) emissions market, and is soon to be followed by Asia's first market (]). A total of 107 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent have been exchanged through projects in 2004, a 38% increase relative to 2003 (78 Mt CO<sub>2</sub>e).<ref> International Emissions Trading Association 2005</ref>


In addition to traditional land-based methods to remove carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) from the air, other technologies are under development. These could reduce CO<sub>2</sub> emissions and lower existing atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> levels. ] (CCS) is a method to mitigate climate change by capturing CO<sub>2</sub> from large ], such as cement factories or ] power plants. It then stores it away safely instead of releasing it into the atmosphere. The IPCC estimates that the costs of halting global warming would double without CCS.<ref name="guardian0916">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jun/09/co2-turned-into-stone-in-iceland-in-climate-change-breakthrough|title={{CO2}} turned into stone in Iceland in climate change breakthrough|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=2 September 2017|date=9 June 2016}}</ref>
With the creation of a ] for ] within the Kyoto Protocol, it is likely that London financial markets will be the centre for this potentially highly lucrative business; the ] and ] stock markets may have a lower trade volume than expected as long as the US maintains its rejection of the ]).<ref> The Observer June 2005</ref>


] (BECCS) expands on the potential of CCS and aims to lower atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> levels. This process uses ] grown for ]. The biomass yields energy in useful forms such as electricity, heat, biofuels, etc. through consumption of the biomass via combustion, fermentation, or pyrolysis. The process captures the CO<sub>2</sub> that was extracted from the atmosphere when it grew. It then stores it underground or via land application as ]. This effectively ].<ref name="Obersteiner2">{{cite journal |last1=Obersteiner |first1=M. |year=2001 |title=Managing Climate Risk |journal=Science |volume=294 |issue=5543 |pages=786–7 |doi=10.1126/science.294.5543.786b |pmid=11681318 |s2cid=34722068}}</ref> This makes BECCS a negative emissions technology (NET).<ref>{{Cite book |last=National Academies of Sciences |first=Engineering |url=https://www.nap.edu/catalog/25259/negative-emissions-technologies-and-reliable-sequestration-a-research-agenda |title=Negative Emissions Technologies and Reliable Sequestration: A Research Agenda |date=24 October 2018 |isbn=978-0-309-48452-7 |language=en |doi=10.17226/25259 |pmid=31120708 |access-date=22 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525204549/https://www.nap.edu/catalog/25259/negative-emissions-technologies-and-reliable-sequestration-a-research-agenda |archive-date=25 May 2020 |url-status=live |s2cid=134196575}}</ref>
Twenty three ]s have come together in the ], a business group formed at the January 2005 ]. The group includes ], ], ] and ]. On 9 June 2005 the Group published a statement<ref> Convened by the World Economic Forum June 2005</ref> stating that there was a need to act on climate change and claiming that market-based solutions can help. It called on governments to establish "clear, transparent, and consistent price signals" through "creation of a long-term policy framework" that would include all major producers of greenhouse gases.
<!-- What about the criticisms of the trading scheme? -->


Scientists estimated the potential range of negative emissions from BECCS in 2018 as 0–22&nbsp;Gt per year.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Smith |first1=Pete |last2=Porter |first2=John R. |date=July 2018 |title=Bioenergy in the IPCC Assessments |journal=GCB Bioenergy |volume=10 |issue=7 |pages=428–431 |doi=10.1111/gcbb.12514 |bibcode=2018GCBBi..10..428S |doi-access=free|hdl=2164/10480 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> {{As of|2022}}, BECCS was capturing approximately 2 million tonnes per year of CO<sub>2</sub> annually.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage – Analysis |url=https://www.iea.org/reports/bioenergy-with-carbon-capture-and-storage |access-date=2 December 2022 |website=IEA |language=en-GB}}</ref> The cost and availability of biomass limits wide deployment of BECCS.<ref name="rhodes2">{{cite journal |last1=Rhodes |first1=James S. |last2=Keith |first2=David W. |year=2008 |title=Biomass with capture: Negative emissions within social and environmental constraints: An editorial comment |journal=Climatic Change |volume=87 |issue=3–4 |pages=321–8 |bibcode=2008ClCh...87..321R |doi=10.1007/s10584-007-9387-4 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>Fajardy, M., Köberle, A., Mac Dowell, N., Fantuzzi, A. (2019) BECCS deployment: a reality check. Imperial College London.</ref>{{rp|10}} BECCS currently forms a big part of achieving climate targets beyond 2050 in modelling, such as by the ] (IAMs) associated with the IPCC process. But many scientists are sceptical due to the risk of loss of biodiversity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rishi Sunak lambasted by scientists for UK's 'disturbing' energy source |url=https://news.sky.com/story/rishi-sunak-lambasted-by-scientists-for-uks-disturbing-energy-source-12760175 |access-date=3 December 2022 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref>
The ] is a proposed carbon trading scheme being created by nine North-eastern and Mid-Atlantic ] states; ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. The scheme was due to be developed by April 2005 but has not yet been completed.


] is a process of capturing {{co2}} directly from the ambient air. This is in contrast to CCS which captures carbon from point sources. It generates a concentrated stream of {{CO2}} for ], ] or production of ] and ].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Direct Air Capture – Analysis|url=https://www.iea.org/reports/direct-air-capture|access-date=24 December 2021|website=IEA|language=en-GB}}</ref> Artificial processes vary, and there are concerns about the long-term effects of some of these processes.<ref name="RoyalSociety">The Royal Society, (2009) . Retrieved 12 September 2009.</ref>{{Obsolete source|date=December 2022}}
====Carbon tax====
{{main|Carbon tax}}


== Mitigation by sector ==
In 1991, ] introduced the world's first carbon tax. The UK has had a ] on fossil-fuel-based ] since 2001. Plans for a carbon tax in ] were abandoned after the 2005 elections.
{{See also|Greenhouse gas emissions#Emissions by sector}}
{{multiple image
| total_width = 500
| image1 = Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Economic Sector.svg
| caption1 = Taking into account direct and indirect emissions, industry is the sector with the highest share of global emissions.
| image2 = Global GHG Emissions by Sector 2016.png
| caption2 = 2016 global greenhouse gas emissions by sector.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 March 2020 |title=Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector |url=http://earthcharts.org/emissions-sources/ |access-date=15 March 2020 |website=EarthCharts}}</ref> Percentages are calculated from estimated global emissions of all Kyoto Greenhouse Gases, converted to {{CO2}} equivalent quantities (Gt{{CO2}}e).
}}


=== Buildings ===
In May 2008, the ], which covers nine counties in the ], passed a carbon tax of 4.4 cents per ton.<ref>, San Francisco Chronicle, May 22, 2008</ref>
{{Further|Energy-efficient buildings|Sustainable architecture|Green building|Low-energy house}}


The building sector accounts for 23% of global energy-related {{CO2}} emissions.<ref name="Rogelj-2018">Rogelj, J., D. Shindell, K. Jiang, S. Fifita, P. Forster, V. Ginzburg, C. Handa, H. Kheshgi, S. Kobayashi, E. Kriegler, L. Mundaca, R. Séférian, and M.V.Vilariño, 2018: . In: . Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, US, pp. 93-174. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009157940.004.</ref>{{rp|141}} About half of the energy is used for space and ].<ref>{{Cite book |last=International Energy Agency |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1144453104 |title=Energy technology perspectives 2017 : catalysing energy technology transformations |date=2017 |isbn=978-92-64-27597-3 |location=Paris |publisher=Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development |oclc=1144453104}}</ref> Building insulation can reduce the primary energy demand significantly. ] loads may also provide a flexible resource that can participate in ] to integrate variable renewable resources into the grid.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Nathalie |date=2022-11-30 |title=Now is the time for all consumers to come to the aid of their grid |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/83ef3de0-c7eb-463a-beea-750c0dfbc687 |access-date=2023-05-17}}</ref> ] uses thermal energy directly. Sufficiency measures include moving to smaller houses when the needs of households change, mixed use of spaces and the collective use of devices.<ref name="IPCC-2022" />{{rp|71}} Planners and civil engineers can construct new buildings using ], ], or ] techniques. In addition, it is possible to design buildings that are more energy-efficient to cool by using lighter-coloured, more reflective materials in the development of urban areas.
==Non-governmental approaches==
===Legal action===
In some countries, those affected by climate change may be able to sue major producers, in a parallel to the lawsuits against ] companies.<ref> ''Allen, Myles'' for Opendemocracy January 2005</ref> Although proving that particular weather events are due specifically to global warming may never be possible<ref>Edward Lorenz (1982): "Climate is what you expect, weather is what you get"</ref>, methodologies have been developed to show the increased risk of such events caused by global warming.<ref>Stott, et al. (2004), "Human contribution to the European heatwave of 2003", Nature, Vol. 432, 2 December 2004</ref>


Heat pumps efficiently heat buildings, and cool them by ]. A modern heat pump typically transports around three to five times more thermal energy than electrical energy consumed. The amount depends on the ] and the outside temperature.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Heat Pumps – Analysis |url=https://www.iea.org/reports/heat-pumps |access-date=25 November 2022 |year=2022 |website=IEA |language=en-GB}}</ref>
For a legal action for ] (or similar) to succeed, "Plaintiffs … must show that, more probably than not, their individual injuries were caused by the risk factor in question, as opposed to any other cause. This has sometimes been translated to a requirement of a relative risk of at least two."<ref>Grossman, Columbia J. of Env. Law, 2003</ref> Another route (though with little legal bite) is the ], if it can be shown that climate change is affecting ]s like ].<ref></ref><ref> BBC November 2004</ref>


Refrigeration and air conditioning account for about 10% of global {{CO2}} emissions caused by fossil fuel-based energy production and the use of fluorinated gases. Alternative cooling systems, such as ] building design and ] surfaces, can reduce air conditioning use. Suburbs and cities in hot and arid climates can significantly reduce energy consumption from cooling with daytime radiative cooling.<ref name="Zhou-2021">{{Cite journal |last1=Zhou |first1=Kai |last2=Miljkovic |first2=Nenad |last3=Cai |first3=Lili |date=March 2021 |title=Performance analysis on system-level integration and operation of daytime radiative cooling technology for air-conditioning in buildings |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378778821000335 |journal=Energy and Buildings |volume=235 |page=110749 |doi=10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.110749 |bibcode=2021EneBu.23510749Z |via=Elsevier Science Direct |s2cid=234180182}}</ref>
Legal action has also been taken to try to force the ] to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the ],<ref> Ongoing Cases</ref> and against the ] and ] for failing to assess environmental impacts (including global warming impacts) under ].{{Citation needed|date=September 2007}}


Energy consumption for cooling is likely to rise significantly due to increasing heat and availability of devices in poorer countries. Of the 2.8 billion people living in the hottest parts of the world, only 8% currently have air conditioners, compared with 90% of people in the US and Japan.<ref>{{cite web |last=Radhika |first=Lalik |date=2019 |title=How India is solving its cooling challenge |url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/05/india-heat-cooling-challenge-temperature-air-conditioning/ |access-date=20 July 2021 |publisher=World Economic Forum}}</ref> Adoption of air conditioners typically increases in warmer areas at above $10,000 annual household income.<ref name="Davis"></ref> By combining energy efficiency improvements and decarbonising electricity for air conditioning with the transition away from super-polluting refrigerants, the world could avoid cumulative greenhouse gas emissions of up to 210–460 Gt{{CO2}}-eq over the next four decades.<ref name="IEA2020">{{cite web |date=2020 |title=Cooling Emissions and Policy Synthesis Report |url=https://www.iea.org/reports/cooling-emissions-and-policy-synthesis-report |access-date=20 July 2020 |publisher=IEA/UNEP}}</ref> A shift to renewable energy in the cooling sector comes with two advantages: Solar energy production with mid-day peaks corresponds with the load required for cooling and additionally, cooling has a large potential for load management in the electric grid.<ref name="IEA2020" />
According to a 2004 study commissioned by ], ] and its predecessors caused 4.7 to 5.3 percent of the world's man-made carbon dioxide emissions between 1882 and 2002. The group suggested that such studies could form the basis for eventual legal action.<ref> from Friends of the Earth</ref>


===Personal choices=== === Urban planning ===
{{Main|Climate change and cities}}
While many of the proposed methods of mitigating global warming require governmental funding, legislation and regulatory action, individuals and ] can also play a part in the mitigation effort. Environmental groups encourage ], often aimed at the ]. Common recommendations include lowering home heating and cooling usage, burning less gasoline, supporting renewable ], buying local products to reduce transportation, turning off unused devices, and various others. A ] at ] has urged similar institutions to hold the vanguard in voluntary mitigation, suggesting the use of communications technologies such as ] to reduce their dependence on long-haul flights.<ref>
{{cite journal
|author=Andrew Biggin
|month=16 August
|year=2007
|title=Scientific bodies must take own action on emissions
|journal=]
|volume=448
|issue=7155
|pages=749
|doi=10.1038/448749a
}}</ref>


]s have almost no ].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Future of the Canals |url=http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/education/teacher/lessonplan-future.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303233108/http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/education/teacher/lessonplan-future.pdf |archive-date=3 March 2016 |access-date=8 September 2013 |publisher=London Canal Museum}}</ref>]]
==Business opportunities and risks==
In addition to government action and the personal choices individuals can make, the threat posed by global warming provides business opportunities to be exploited and risks to be mitigated.


Cities emitted 28&nbsp;GtCO<sub>2</sub>-eq in 2020 of combined CO<sub>2</sub> and {{CH4}} emissions.<ref name="IPCC-2022" />{{rp|TS-61}} This was from producing and consuming goods and services.<ref name="IPCC-2022" />{{rp|TS-61}} Climate-smart ] aims to reduce ] to reduce the distance travelled. This lowers emissions from transportation. Switching from cars by improving ] and ] is beneficial to a country's economy as a whole.<ref>{{Cite web |last=UKCCC |date=2020 |title=The Sixth Carbon Budget Surface Transport |url=https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Sector-summary-Surface-transport.pdf |website=] |quote=there is zero net cost to the economy of switching from cars to walking and cycling}}</ref>
There has also been ].


], lakes and other blue and green infrastructure can reduce emissions directly and indirectly by reducing energy demand for cooling.<ref name="IPCC-2022" />{{rp|TS-66}} Methane emissions from ] can be reduced by segregation, ]ing, and recycling.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 November 2022 |title=This is how cities can reduce emissions with waste-reduction solutions |url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/11/waste-emissions-methane-cities/ |access-date=6 December 2022 |website=World Economic Forum |language=en}}</ref>
On 9 May 2005 ], the ] of ] (GE), announced plans to reduce GE's global warming related emissions by one percent by 2012. "GE said that given its projected growth, those emissions would have risen by 40 percent without such action."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7791657/ |title=Green Electric? GE unveils eco-strategy publisher=MSNBC}}</ref>


=== Transport ===
On 21 June 2005 a group of leading ]s, ]s and ] ]s pledged to work together to reduce the negative ] of the ], including limiting the impact of air travel on climate change by improving ] and reducing carbon dioxide emissions of new aircraft by fifty percent per seat kilometre by 2020 from 2000 levels. The group aims to develop a common reporting system for carbon dioxide emissions per aircraft by the end of 2005, and pressed for the early inclusion of aviation in the ]'s carbon emission trading scheme.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.ft.com/cms/s/747d20ea-e1ff-11d9-bf18-00000e2511c8.html |title=Aviation groups set targets to limit their environmental impact publisher=FT.com}}</ref>
{{Main|Sustainable transport|Phase-out of fossil fuel vehicles}}


]
==Territorial policies of mitigation==
Transportation accounts for 15% of emissions worldwide.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ge |first1=Mengpin |last2=Friedrich |first2=Johannes |last3=Vigna |first3=Leandro |date=6 February 2020 |title=4 Charts Explain Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Countries and Sectors |url=https://www.wri.org/blog/2020/02/greenhouse-gas-emissions-by-country-sector |language=en |access-date=30 December 2020 |website=World Resources Institute}}</ref> Increasing the use of public transport, low-carbon freight transport and ] are important components of transport decarbonisation.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jochem |first1=Patrick |last2=Rothengatter |first2=Werner |last3=Schade |first3=Wolfgang |date=2016 |title=Climate change and transport |url=https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/91601/ |language=en}}</ref><ref name="10.1016/j.scs.2016.01.004">{{cite journal |last1=Kwan |first1=Soo Chen |last2=Hashim |first2=Jamal Hisham |date=1 April 2016 |title=A review on co-benefits of mass public transportation in climate change mitigation |journal=Sustainable Cities and Society |language=en |volume=22 |pages=11–18 |doi=10.1016/j.scs.2016.01.004 |bibcode=2016SusCS..22...11K |issn=2210-6707}}</ref>
{{See also|List of countries by carbon dioxide emissions}}
=== United States ===
Efforts to reduce ] include ] which encourage efficiency through programs like ], ], and the ].<ref></ref> On 12 November 1998, Vice President ] symbolically signed the Kyoto Protocol, but he indicated participation by the developing nations was necessary prior its being submitted for ratification by the ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1997/12/11/kyoto/ |date=1997-12-11 |title=Clinton Hails Global Warming Pact | work =All Politics | publisher =CNN | accessdate=2006-11-05}}</ref>


]s and environmentally friendly rail help to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. In most cases, electric trains are more efficient than air transport and truck transport.<ref>{{cite web |author=Lowe, Marcia D. |date=April 1994 |title=Back on Track: The Global Rail Revival |url=http://www.worldwatch.org/node/872 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061204005745/http://www.worldwatch.org/node/872 |archive-date=4 December 2006 |access-date=15 February 2007}}</ref> Other efficiency means include improved public transport, ], carsharing and ]. Fossil-fuel for passenger cars can be included in emissions trading.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keating |first=Dave |date=21 December 2022 |title=EU's end-of-year energy breakthroughs will have big climate implications |url=https://www.energymonitor.ai/finance/regulation-policy/eus-end-of-year-energy-breakthroughs-will-have-big-climate-implications/ |access-date=30 December 2022 |website=Energy Monitor |language=en-US}}</ref> Furthermore, moving away from a ]-dominated transport system towards low-carbon advanced public transport system is important.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Mattioli |first1=Giulio |last2=Roberts |first2=Cameron |last3=Steinberger |first3=Julia K. |last4=Brown |first4=Andrew |date=1 August 2020 |title=The political economy of car dependence: A systems of provision approach |journal=Energy Research & Social Science |language=en |volume=66 |pages=101486 |doi=10.1016/j.erss.2020.101486 |issn=2214-6296 |s2cid=216186279|doi-access=free |bibcode=2020ERSS...6601486M }}</ref>
=====The US and global warming mitigation=====
In 2007, Transportation Secretary ], with White House approval, urged governors and dozens of members of the House of Representatives to block California’s first-in-the-nation limits on greenhouse gases from cars and trucks, according to e-mails obtained by Congress.<ref>, ], September 25, 2007</ref> The ] is a group of about twenty federal agencies and US Cabinet Departments, all working together to address global warming.


Heavyweight, large personal vehicles (such as cars) require a lot of energy to move and take up much urban space.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Venkat Sumantran |author2=Charles Fine |author3=David Gonsalvez |date=16 October 2017 |title=Our cities need fewer cars, not cleaner cars |url=http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/oct/16/our-cities-need-fewer-cars-not-cleaner-cars-electric-green-transport |website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref name="Casson">{{Cite web |last=Casson |first=Richard |date=25 January 2018 |title=We don't just need electric cars, we need fewer cars |url=https://www.greenpeace.org/international/story/13968/we-dont-just-need-electric-cars-we-need-fewer-cars/ |access-date=17 September 2020 |publisher=Greenpeace}}</ref> Several alternatives modes of transport are available to replace these. The European Union has made smart mobility part of its ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 January 2020 |title=The essentials of the "Green Deal" of the European Commission |url=https://www.greenfacts.org/en/europe-green-deal-2019/l-2/index.htm#0 |access-date=3 April 2020 |website=Green Facts }}</ref> In ], smart mobility is also important.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Smart Mobility in Smart Cities |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/314246043 |website=ResearchGate}}</ref>] in ]]]
=====US attempts to suppress science of global warming=====
The World Bank is helping lower income countries buy electric buses. Their purchase price is higher than diesel buses. But lower running costs and health improvements due to cleaner air can offset this higher price.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How electric vehicles can help the developing world |url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/12/electric-vehicles-developing-world-cities/ |access-date=9 December 2022 |website=World Economic Forum |date=5 December 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
The U.S. government has pressured American scientists to suppress discussion of global warming, according to the testimony of the Union of Concerned Scientists to the Oversight and Government Reform Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives.<ref name=autogenerated2>Reuters, January 30, 2007, free archived version at http://www.commondreams.org/headlines07/0130-10.htm, last visited Jan. 30, '07</ref><ref>Written testimony of Dr. Grifo before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the U.S. House of Representatives on January 30, 2007, archived at http://oversight.house.gov/Documents/20070130113153-55829.pdf</ref> "High-quality science" was "struggling to get out," as the Bush administration pressured scientists to tailor their writings on global warming to fit the Bush administration's skepticism, in some cases at the behest of an ex-oil industry lobbyist. "Nearly half of all respondents perceived or personally experienced pressure to eliminate the words 'climate change,' 'global warming' or other similar terms from a variety of communications." Similarly, according to the testimony of senior officers of the ], the White House attempted to bury the report "National Assessment of the Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change," produced by U.S. scientists pursuant to U.S. law.<ref>written testimony of Rick Piltz before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the U.S. House of Representatives on January 30, 2007, archived at http://oversight.house.gov/Documents/20070130113813-92288.pdf last visited Jan. 30, 07</ref> Some U.S. scientists resigned their jobs rather than give in to White House pressure to underreport global warming.<ref name=autogenerated2 />


Between one quarter and three quarters of cars on the road by 2050 are forecast to be electric vehicles.<ref>{{Cite news |title=How green are electric cars? |url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2017/dec/25/how-green-are-electric-cars |website=The Guardian|date=25 December 2017 |last1=Clarke |first1=Seán }}</ref> ] may be a solution for long-distance heavy freight trucks, if batteries alone are too heavy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Leigh |date=13 May 2022 |title=Hydrogen v battery trucks {{!}} UK launches $240m competition to find out which is best for zero-emissions haulage {{!}} Recharge |url=https://www.rechargenews.com/energy-transition/hydrogen-v-battery-trucks-uk-launches-240m-competition-to-find-out-which-is-best-for-zero-emissions-haulage/2-1-1219034 |access-date=9 December 2022 |website=Recharge news |language=en}}</ref>
== Mitigation in developing countries==
In order to reconcile ] with mitigating carbon emissions, ] need particular support, both financial and technical. One of the means of achieving this is the Kyoto Protocol's ] (CDM). The ]'s Prototype Carbon Fund<ref> from the World Bank Carbon Finance Unit</ref> is a ] that operates within the CDM.


==== Shipping ====
In July 2005 the U.S., China, India, Australia, as well as Japan and South Korea, agreed to the ]. The pact aims to encourage technological development that may mitigate global warming, without coordinated emissions targets. The highest goal of the pact is to find and promote new technology that aid both growth and a cleaner environment simultaneously. An example is the Methane to Markets initiative which reduces methane emissions into the atmosphere by capturing the gas and using it for growth enhancing clean energy generation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/global_partnerships/gda/methanetomarkets.htm |title=Methane to Markets Partnership |publisher=USAID.gov}}</ref> Critics have raised concerns that the pact undermines the Kyoto Protocol.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn7744 |title=US-led emissions pact seen as Kyoto rival |publisher=NewScientist.com}}</ref>
{{Further|Environmental effects of shipping#Greenhouse gas emissions}}


In the shipping industry, the use of ] (LNG) as a marine bunker fuel is driven by emissions regulations. Ship operators must switch from ] to more expensive oil-based fuels, implement costly flue gas treatment technologies or switch to ].<ref>{{cite web |date=28 September 2014 |title=LNG projected to gain significant market share in transport fuels by 2035 |url=http://gasprocessingnews.com/news/lng-projected-to-gain-significant-market-share-in-transport-fuels-by-2035.aspx |publisher=Gas Processing News/Bloomberg}}</ref> Methane slip, when gas leaks unburned through the engine, lowers the advantages of LNG. ], the world's biggest container shipping line and vessel operator, warns of ]s when investing in transitional fuels like LNG.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chambers |first1=Sam |date=26 February 2021 |title='Transitional fuels are capturing the regulatory agenda and incentives': Maersk |publisher=splash247 |url=https://splash247.com/transitional-fuels-are-capturing-the-regulatory-agenda-and-incentives-maersk/ |access-date=27 February 2021}}</ref> The company lists green ] as one of the preferred fuel types of the future. It has announced the first carbon-neutral vessel on the water by 2023, running on carbon-neutral ].<ref>{{cite press release |title=Maersk backs plan to build Europe's largest green ammonia facility |url=https://www.maersk.com/news/articles/2021/02/23/maersk-backs-plan-to-build-europe-largest-green-ammonia-facility |publisher=Maersk |date=23 February 2021 |access-date=27 February 2021}}</ref> Cruise operators are trialling partially ]s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bahtić |first=Fatima |date=10 November 2022 |title=Viking's new cruise ship equipped with hydrogen fuel cells delivered |url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/vikings-new-cruise-ship-equipped-with-hydrogen-fuel-cells-delivered/ |access-date=9 December 2022 |website=Offshore Energy |language=en-US}}</ref>
However, none of these initiatives suggest a quantitative cap on the emissions from developing countries. This is considered as a particularly difficult policy proposal as the economic growth of developing countries are proportionally reflected in the growth of greenhouse emissions. Critics of mitigation often argue that, the developing countries' drive to attain a comparable living standard to the developed countries would doom the attempt at mitigation of global warming. Critics also argue that holding down emissions would shift the human cost of global warming from a general one to one that was borne most heavily by the poorest populations on the planet.


Hybrid and all electric ferries are suitable for short distances. Norway's goal is an all electric fleet by 2025.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Parker |first1=Selwyn |date=8 September 2020 |title=Norway moves closer to its ambition of an all-electric ferry fleet |url=https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/news-content-hub/partnership-creates-next-generation-all-electric-ferry-60619 |publisher=Rivera}}</ref>
In an attempt to provide more opportunities for developing countries to adapt clean technologies, ] and ] urged the international community to reduce trade barriers and to conclude the ] "which includes opening trade in environmental goods and services"<ref> UN News Centre, 26 June 2009</ref>.


==== Air transport ====
==Population Control==
{{Further|environmental impact of aviation}}
] by country]]
] grew from 0.7% to 2.65% of all {{CO2}} emissions.<ref name="Lee20202">{{citation |author=D. S. Lee |title=The contribution of global aviation to anthropogenic climate forcing for 2000 to 2018 |url= |journal=] |volume=244 |page=117834 |year=2021 |bibcode=2021AtmEn.24417834L |doi=10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.117834 |pmc=7468346 |pmid=32895604 |display-authors=etal}}</ref>]]<!--Climate change: Factors-->
Various organizations promote ] as a means for mitigating global warming.<ref>, United Nations Population Fund</ref><ref> from Sierra Club</ref><ref> National Wild Life Federation</ref><ref> Population Connection</ref><ref> Statement of Policy</ref> Proposed measures include improving access to ] and ] care and information, reducing ], public education about the consequences of continued population growth, and improving access of women to education and economic opportunities.


Jet airliners contribute to climate change by emitting carbon dioxide, ], ] and particulates.<!--ref name=IPCC-1999--> Their ] is estimated at 1.3–1.4 that of {{CO2}} alone,<!--ref name=Azar2012Apr--> excluding induced ].<!--ref name=Lee2009--> <!--Climate change: volume-->In 2018, global commercial operations generated 2.4% of all {{CO2}} emissions.<ref name="ICCTsep2019">{{cite web |author=Brandon Graver |author2=Kevin Zhang |author3=Dan Rutherford |date=September 2019 |title=CO<sub>2</sub> emissions from commercial aviation, 2018 |url=https://theicct.org/sites/default/files/publications/ICCT_CO2-commercl-aviation-2018_20190918.pdf |publisher=]}}</ref><!--Climate change: per passenger-->
Population control efforts are impeded by there being somewhat of a taboo in some countries against considering any such efforts.<ref> Maurice King, Charles Elliott BMJ</ref> Also, various religions ] some or all forms of ].


The aviation industry has become more fuel efficient. But overall emissions have risen as the volume of air travel has increased.<!--ref name=ATAG--> By 2020, aviation emissions were 70% higher than in 2005 and they could grow by 300% by 2050.<ref name="EC-aviation">{{Cite web |date=23 November 2016 |title=Reducing emissions from aviation |url=https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/transport/aviation_en |website=Climate Action |publisher=European Commission}}</ref> <!--Mitigation-->
Population size has a different per capita effect on global warming in different countries, since the per capita production of anthropogenic greenhouse gases varies greatly by country.<ref> from Sierra Club</ref>


It is possible to reduce aviation's environmental footprint by better ]. Optimising flight routes to lower non-{{CO2}} effects on climate from nitrogen oxides, particulates or contrails can also help. ], ] and ], part of the 191 nation ICAO's ] (CORSIA), can lower {{CO2}} emissions. ]s, train connections, personal choices and ] can lead to fewer flights. ] and ] or ] may replace fossil fuel-powered aircraft.
==Costs of mitigation==
The Stern Review proposes stabilising the concentration of greenhouse-gas emissions in the atmosphere at a maximum of 550ppm CO<sub>2</sub>e by 2050. The Review estimates that this would mean cutting total greenhouse-gas emissions to three quarters of 2007 levels. The Review further estimates that the cost of these cuts would be in the range -1.0 to +3.5% of ], with an average estimate of approximately 1%<ref name="stern"/>. ] has since revised his estimate to 2% of GDP.{{Citation needed|date=April 2009}} The Review emphasises that these costs are contingent on steady reductions in the cost of low-carbon technologies. Mitigation costs will also vary according to how and when emissions are cut: early, well-planned action will minimise the costs<ref name="stern">Stern, N. (2007). ''Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change: Part III: The Economics of Stabilisation.'' HM Treasury, London: http://hm-treasury.gov.uk/sternreview_index.htm</ref>.


Experts expect emissions from aviation to rise in most projections, at least until 2040. They currently amount to 180&nbsp;Mt of {{CO2}} or 11% of transport emissions. ] and hydrogen can only cover a small proportion of flights in the coming years. Experts expect hybrid-driven aircraft to start commercial regional scheduled flights after 2030. Battery-powered aircraft are likely to enter the market after 2035.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 September 2019 |title=The aviation network – Decarbonisation issues |url=https://www.eurocontrol.int/publication/aviation-network-decarbonisation-issues |publisher=]}}</ref> Under CORSIA, flight operators can purchase ]s to cover their emissions above 2019 levels. CORSIA will be compulsory from 2027.
One way of estimating the cost of reducing emissions is by considering the likely costs of potential technological and output changes. Policy makers can compare the ] of different methods to assess the cost and amount of possible abatement over time. The marginal abatement costs of the various measures will differ by country, by sector, and over time<ref name="stern"/>.


=== Agriculture, forestry and land use ===
==Limitations of mitigation==
] across the ] for different foods, showing which type of food should be encouraged and which discouraged from a mitigation perspective]]
{{See also|Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture|Environmental impact of meat production|4=Sustainable agriculture}}


Almost 20% of greenhouse gas emissions come from the agriculture and forestry sector.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ritchie |first1=Hannah |last2=Roser |first2=Max |last3=Rosado |first3=Pablo |date=11 May 2020 |title=CO<sub>2</sub> and Greenhouse Gas Emissions |url=https://ourworldindata.org/emissions-by-sector |journal=Our World in Data|access-date=21 December 2022}}</ref> To significantly reduce these emissions, annual investments in the agriculture sector need to increase to $260 billion by 2030. The potential benefits from these investments are estimated at about $4.3 trillion by 2030, offering a substantial economic return of 16-to-1.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Sutton |first1=William R. |last2=Lotsch |first2=Alexander |last3=Prasann |first3=Ashesh |date=2024-05-06 |title=Recipe for a Livable Planet: Achieving Net Zero Emissions in the Agrifood System |url=https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/c68a6f57-d4fb-4176-9a85-e313dd34c4e2/content |journal=World Bank}}</ref>{{Rp|pages=7-8}}
Mitigation technologies aimed at reducing emissions, as opposed to enhancing sinks, do not seek to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. As such, their efficacy at reversing global warming is limited<ref name="ReferenceA"/>


Mitigation measures in the food system can be divided into four categories. These are demand-side changes, ecosystem protections, mitigation on farms, and mitigation in ]. On the demand side, limiting ] is an effective way to reduce food emissions. Changes to a diet less reliant on animal products such as ] are also effective.<ref name="UNEP-2022" />{{rp|XXV}}
==See also==
{{EnergyPortal}}
{{Portalpar|Sustainable development|Sustainable development.svg}}
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With 21% of global methane emissions, cattle are a major driver of global warming.<ref name="Olivier-2020">Olivier J.G.J. and Peters J.A.H.W. (2020), . Environmental Assessment Agency, The Hague.</ref>{{rp|6}} When rainforests are cut and the land is converted for grazing, the impact is even higher. In Brazil, producing 1&nbsp;kg of beef can result in the emission of up to 335&nbsp;kg CO<sub>2</sub>-eq.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Schmidinger |first1=Kurt |last2=Stehfest |first2=Elke |year=2012 |title=Including {{CO2}} implications of land occupation in LCAs – method and example for livestock products |url=https://foodethics.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/inst_ethik_wiss_dialog/Schmidinger__K._2012._Including_CO2_implications_of_land_occupation_in_LCAs-method_and_example_for_livestock_products._International_Journal_of_Life_Cycle_Assessment.pdf |journal=Int J Life Cycle Assess |volume=17 |issue=8 |page=967 |doi=10.1007/s11367-012-0434-7 |bibcode=2012IJLCA..17..962S |s2cid=73625760 |access-date=2021-06-09 |archive-date=2021-06-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609213753/https://foodethics.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/inst_ethik_wiss_dialog/Schmidinger__K._2012._Including_CO2_implications_of_land_occupation_in_LCAs-method_and_example_for_livestock_products._International_Journal_of_Life_Cycle_Assessment.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Other livestock, manure management and rice cultivation also emit greenhouse gases, in addition to fossil fuel combustion in agriculture.
=== By country ===
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Important mitigation options for reducing the greenhouse gas emissions from livestock include genetic selection,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bovine Genomics {{pipe}} Genome Canada |url=https://www.genomecanada.ca/en/programs/large-scale-science/past-competitions/strategic-initiatives/bovine-genomics |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810023632/https://www.genomecanada.ca/en/programs/large-scale-science/past-competitions/strategic-initiatives/bovine-genomics |archive-date=10 August 2019 |access-date=2 August 2019 |website=www.genomecanada.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Airhart |first1=Ellen |title=Canada Is Using Genetics to Make Cows Less Gassy |url=https://www.wired.com/story/canada-is-using-genetics-to-make-cows-less-gassy/ |magazine=Wired }}</ref> introduction of ] into the rumen,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The use of direct-fed microbials for mitigation of ruminant methane emissions: a review |url=https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01137190/document}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Parmar |first1=N.R. |last2=Nirmal Kumar |first2=J.I. |last3=Joshi |first3=C.G. |year=2015 |title=Exploring diet-dependent shifts in methanogen and methanotroph diversity in the rumen of Mehsani buffalo by a metagenomics approach |journal=Frontiers in Life Science |volume=8 |issue=4 |pages=371–378 |doi=10.1080/21553769.2015.1063550 |s2cid=89217740}}</ref> vaccines, feeds,<ref>{{cite news |date=30 September 2021 |title=Kowbucha, seaweed, vaccines: the race to reduce cows' methane emissions |language=en |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/30/cow-methane-emissions-reduce-seaweed-kowbucha |access-date=1 December 2021}}</ref> diet modification and grazing management.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Boadi |first1=D |year=2004 |title=Mitigation strategies to reduce enteric methane emissions from dairy cows: Update review |journal=Can. J. Anim. Sci. |volume=84 |issue=3 |pages=319–335 |doi=10.4141/a03-109 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>Martin, C. et al. 2010. Methane mitigation in ruminants: from microbe to the farm scale. ''Animal'' 4 : pp 351-365.</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Eckard |first1=R. J. |display-authors=etal |year=2010 |title=Options for the abatement of methane and nitrous oxide from ruminant production: A review |journal=Livestock Science |volume=130 |issue=1–3 |pages=47–56 |doi=10.1016/j.livsci.2010.02.010}}</ref> Other options are diet changes towards ]-free alternatives, such as ]s and ]s. Non-ruminant livestock, such as poultry, emit far fewer GHGs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The carbon footprint of foods: are differences explained by the impacts of methane? |url=https://ourworldindata.org/carbon-footprint-food-methane |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=Our World in Data}}</ref>
==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}


It is possible to cut methane emissions in rice cultivation by improved water management, combining dry seeding and one drawdown, or executing a ]. This results in emission reductions of up to 90% compared to full flooding and even increased yields.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Searchinger |first1=Tim |last2=Adhya |first2=Tapan K. |year=2014 |title=Wetting and Drying: Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Saving Water from Rice Production |url=https://www.wri.org/research/wetting-and-drying-reducing-greenhouse-gas-emissions-and-saving-water-rice-production |publisher=WRI}}</ref>
==References==
{{refbegin}}
* IPCC/TEAP (2005),
* Climate Change:Facts and Impacts
{{refend}}


==External links== === Industry ===
{{Pie chart
===Official===
| caption= Global ] by country in 2023:
==== Worldwide ====
| other = yes
* - Includes the Working Group III Report "Mitigation of Climate Change" as part of the Fourth Assessment Report
| label1 = China
==== European Union ====
| value1 = 31.8 | color1=#E33
* ]'s
| label2 = United States
*
| value2 = 14.4 | color2=#1A9
*
| label3 = European Union
* Transport:
| value3 = 4.9 | color3=#36A
** .
| label4 = India
** .
| value4 = 9.5 | color4=#CC5
* ]'s
| label5 = Russia
* - Parts III and IV of the Stern Review are on climate change mitigation
| value5 = 5.8 | color5=#E72
| label6 = Japan
| value6 = 3.5 | color6=#928
}}
Industry is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases when direct and indirect emissions are included. ] can reduce emissions from industry. ] can play a major role in ] for which electricity is not an option. Further mitigation options involve the steel and cement industry, which can switch to a less polluting production process. Products can be made with less material to reduce emission-intensity and industrial processes can be made more efficient. Finally, ] measures reduce the need for new materials. This also saves on emissions that would have been released from the mining of collecting of those materials.<ref name="UNEP-2022" />{{rp|43}}


The decarbonisation of cement production requires new technologies, and therefore investment in innovation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cement – Analysis |url=https://www.iea.org/reports/cement |access-date=1 January 2023 |website=IEA |language=en-GB}}</ref> Bioconcrete is one possibility to reduce emissions.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Adding bacteria can make concrete greener |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2022/11/23/adding-bacteria-can-make-concrete-greener |access-date=26 November 2022 |issn=0013-0613}}</ref> But no technology for mitigation is yet mature. So CCS will be necessary at least in the short-term.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The role of CCUS in decarbonizing the cement industry: A German case study |url=https://www.oxfordenergy.org/publications/the-role-of-ccus-in-decarbonizing-the-cement-industry-a-german-case-study/ |access-date=25 November 2022 |website=Oxford Institute for Energy Studies |language=en}}</ref>
====USA====
* .
* signed by 178 mayors representing nearly 40 million Americans
* .


Another sector with a significant carbon footprint is the steel sector, which is responsible for about 7% of global emissions.<ref name="Renewable Reads">{{Cite web |last=Renewable Reads|title=How to decarbonize the steel sector |url=https://renewablereads.com/2023/11/16/how-to-decarbonize-the-steel-sector/ |access-date=4 February 2024 |website=Renewable Reads |date=16 November 2023 |language=en}}</ref> Emissions can be reduced by using ] to melt and recycle scrap steel. To produce virgin steel without emissions, ]s could be replaced by hydrogen ] and ]s. Alternatively, carbon capture and storage solutions can be used.<ref name="Renewable Reads">{{Cite web |last=Renewable Reads|title=How to decarbonize the steel sector |url=https://renewablereads.com/2023/11/16/how-to-decarbonize-the-steel-sector/ |access-date=4 February 2024 |website=Renewable Reads |date=16 November 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
===NGO/academic===
*
* .
*
*
* Working Group on Climate Change and Development (2004),
* of ], ], and ]
*
* of 1000 European cities
* ]
* , January 2005
* public build Google Map.
*, September 2006
* - published scientific studies on global warming
* - a study on how Australia can halve it's energy related greenhouse gas emissions by 2040
* - a popular software tool for climate change mitigation assessment.


Coal, gas and oil production often come with significant methane leakage.<ref name="Krane-2022">{{Cite web |last=Krane |first=Jim |title=Why fixing methane leaks from the oil and gas industry can be a climate game-changer – one that pays for itself |url=http://theconversation.com/why-fixing-methane-leaks-from-the-oil-and-gas-industry-can-be-a-climate-game-changer-one-that-pays-for-itself-194346 |access-date=27 November 2022 |website=The Conversation |date=17 November 2022 |language=en}}</ref> In the early 2020s some governments recognized the scale of the problem and introduced regulations.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cocks |first=Tim |date=29 September 2022 |title=Explainer: How methane leaks accelerate global warming |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/how-methane-leaks-accelerate-global-warming-2022-09-27/ |access-date=27 November 2022}}</ref> ] at oil and gas wells and processing plants are cost-effective to fix in countries which can easily trade gas internationally.<ref name="Krane-2022" /> There are leaks in countries where gas is cheap; such as Iran,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heyman |first=Taylor |date=26 October 2022 |title=Iran and Turkmenistan among methane 'super emitters' spotted by Nasa from space |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/2022/10/26/iran-and-turkmenistan-among-methane-super-emitters-spotted-by-nasa-from-space/ |access-date=27 November 2022 |website=The National |language=en}}</ref> Russia,<ref>{{Cite web |title=CO2 Emissions: Multiple Countries - Fossil fuel operations - 2021 - Climate TRACE |url=https://climatetrace.org/inventory |access-date=28 November 2022 |website=climatetrace.org |language=en}}</ref> and Turkmenistan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Combier |first=Etienne |date=10 March 2022 |title=Turkmenistan, the unknown mega-polluter |url=https://novastan.org/en/turkmenistan/turkmenistan-the-unknown-mega-polluter/ |access-date=27 November 2022 |website=Novastan English |language=en-GB}}</ref> Nearly all this can be stopped by replacing old components and preventing routine flaring.<ref name="Krane-2022" /> ] may continue leaking even after the mine has been closed. But it can be captured by drainage and/or ventilation systems.<ref>{{Cite web |last=US EPA |first=OAR |date=8 December 2015 |title=About Coal Mine Methane |url=https://www.epa.gov/cmop/about-coal-mine-methane |access-date=28 November 2022 |website=www.epa.gov |language=en}}</ref> Fossil fuel firms do not always have financial incentives to tackle methane leakage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Driving Down Methane Leaks from the Oil and Gas Industry – Analysis |url=https://www.iea.org/reports/driving-down-methane-leaks-from-the-oil-and-gas-industry |access-date=28 November 2022 |website=IEA |date=18 January 2021 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
====Academic====
* Christian Azar and Stephen H. Schneider (2002) , ''Ecological Economics'' 42 (1-2)
* Rivington M, Matthews KB, Buchan K and Miller D (2005) , NJF Seminar 380, Odense, Denmark, 7-8 November 2005.


===Commentary=== == Co-benefits ==
Co-benefits of climate change mitigation, also often referred to as ''ancillary benefits'', were firstly dominated in the scientific literature by studies that describe how lower GHG emissions lead to better air quality and consequently impact human health positively.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Burtraw |first1=Dallas |last2=Krupnick |first2=Alan |last3=Palmer |first3=Karen |last4=Paul |first4=Anthony |last5=Toman |first5=Michael |last6=Bloyd |first6=Cary |date=May 2003 |title=Ancillary benefits of reduced air pollution in the US from moderate greenhouse gas mitigation policies in the electricity sector |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0095-0696(02)00022-0 |journal=Journal of Environmental Economics and Management |volume=45 |issue=3 |pages=650–673 |doi=10.1016/s0095-0696(02)00022-0 |bibcode=2003JEEM...45..650B |issn=0095-0696 |s2cid=17391774}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Thambiran |first1=Tirusha |last2=Diab |first2=Roseanne D. |date=May 2011 |title=Air pollution and climate change co-benefit opportunities in the road transportation sector in Durban, South Africa |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2011.02.059 |journal=Atmospheric Environment |volume=45 |issue=16 |pages=2683–2689 |bibcode=2011AtmEn..45.2683T |doi=10.1016/j.atmosenv.2011.02.059 |issn=1352-2310}}</ref> The scope of co-benefits research expanded to its economic, social, ecological and political implications.
* ], '']'', June 30, 2005,
* Chris Mooney, June 7, 2005,
* John Sterman & Linda Booth Sweeney, April 26, 2005,
* Calvin Jones,
*] Action Fund edited by ]]
*, English version of with support from the European Commission


Positive secondary effects that occur from climate mitigation and ] measures have been mentioned in research since the 1990s.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ayres |first1=Robert U. |last2=Walter |first2=Jörg |date=1991 |title=The greenhouse effect: Damages, costs and abatement |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/bf00367920 |journal=Environmental & Resource Economics |volume=1 |issue=3 |pages=237–270 |doi=10.1007/bf00367920 |bibcode=1991EnREc...1..237A |issn=0924-6460 |s2cid=41324083}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Pearce |first=David William |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/232159680 |title=The secondary benefits of greenhouse gas control |date=1992 |publisher=Centre for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment |oclc=232159680}}</ref> The IPCC first mentioned the role of co-benefits in 2001, followed by its fourth and fifth assessment cycle stressing improved working environment, reduced waste, health benefits and reduced capital expenditures.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Metz |first=Bert |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/46640845 |title=Climate change 2001 : mitigation : contribution of Working Group III to the third assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change |date=2001 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=0-521-80769-7 |oclc=46640845}}</ref> In the early 2000s the ] was further fostering its efforts in promoting ancillary benefits.<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264188129-en |title=Ancillary Benefits and Costs of Greenhouse Gas Mitigation |date=2000-10-25 |isbn=9789264185425 |doi=10.1787/9789264188129-en}}</ref>
{{Global warming}}


The IPCC pointed out in 2007: "Co-benefits of GHG mitigation can be an important decision criteria in analyses carried out by policy-makers, but they are often neglected" and added that the co-benefits are "not quantified, monetised or even identified by businesses and decision-makers".<ref name="ipcc">{{cite web |last1=IPCC |title=Co-benefits of climate change mitigation |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg3/en/ch4s4-5-3.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525042147/http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg3/en/ch4s4-5-3.html |archive-date=2016-05-25 |accessdate=2016-02-18 |website=Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change |publisher=IPCC}}</ref> Appropriate consideration of co-benefits can greatly "influence policy decisions concerning the timing and level of mitigation action", and there can be "significant advantages to the national economy and technical innovation".<ref name="ipcc" />


An analysis of climate action in the UK found that public health benefits are a major component of the total benefits derived from climate action.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Sudmant |first1=Andrew |last2=Boyle |first2=Dom |last3=Higgins-Lavery |first3=Ruaidhri |last4=Gouldson |first4=Andy |last5=Boyle |first5=Andy |last6=Fulker |first6=James |last7=Brogan |first7=Jamie |date=2024-07-05 |title=Climate policy as social policy? A comprehensive assessment of the economic impact of climate action in the UK |journal=Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences |language=en |doi=10.1007/s13412-024-00955-9 |issn=2190-6491|doi-access=free }}</ref>
]
]


=== Employment and economic development ===
]
{{See also|Renewable energy#Market and industry trends}}
]
Co-benefits can positively impact employment, industrial development, states' energy independence and energy self-consumption. The deployment of renewable energies can foster job opportunities. Depending on the country and deployment scenario, replacing coal power plants with renewable energy can more than double the number of jobs per average MW capacity.<ref>{{Cite web |last=IASS/Green ID |date=2019 |title=Future skills and job creation through renewable energy in Vietnam. Assessing the co-benefits of decarbonising the power sector. |url=https://www.cobenefits.info/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/COBENEFITS-Vietnam_Employment_Exec-Report.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420232336/https://www.cobenefits.info/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/COBENEFITS-Vietnam_Employment_Exec-Report.pdf |archive-date=2021-04-20}}</ref> Investments in renewable energies, especially in solar- and wind energy, can boost the value of production.<ref>{{Cite web |last=IASS/IPC |date=2019 |title=Industrial development, trade opportunities and innovation with renewable energy in Turkey. Assessing the co-benefits of decarbonising the power sector |url=https://www.cobenefits.info/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/COBENEFITS-Turkey_Industrial-Development_ExecReport_200604.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420232341/https://www.cobenefits.info/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/COBENEFITS-Turkey_Industrial-Development_ExecReport_200604.pdf |archive-date=2021-04-20}}</ref> Countries which rely on energy imports can enhance their energy independence and ensure supply security by deploying renewables. National energy generation from renewables lowers the demand for fossil fuel imports which scales up annual economic saving.<ref>{{Cite web |last=IASS/IPC |date=2020 |title=Securing Turkey's energy supply and balancing the current account deficit through renewable energy. Assessing the co-benefits of decarbonising the power sector. |url=https://www.cobenefits.info/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/13_LY_IASS_study_Turkey_201026.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305061613/https://www.cobenefits.info/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/13_LY_IASS_study_Turkey_201026.pdf |archive-date=2021-03-05}}</ref>
]

]
The European Commission forecasts a shortage of 180,000 skilled workers in hydrogen production and 66,000 in solar photovoltaic power by 2030.<ref name=":211">{{Cite web |title=The scale-up gap: Financial market constraints holding back innovative firms in the European Union |url=https://www.eib.org/the-scale-up-gap |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=European Investment Bank |language=en}}</ref>
]

=== Energy security ===
A higher share of renewables can additionally lead to more ].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Mondal |first1=Md. Alam Hossain |last2=Denich |first2=Manfred |last3=Vlek |first3=Paul L.G. |date=December 2010 |title=The future choice of technologies and co-benefits of CO2 emission reduction in Bangladesh power sector |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2010.08.037 |journal=Energy |volume=35 |issue=12 |pages=4902–4909 |doi=10.1016/j.energy.2010.08.037 |bibcode=2010Ene....35.4902M |issn=0360-5442}}</ref> Socioeconomic co-benefits have been analysed such as energy access in rural areas and improved rural livelihoods.<ref>{{Cite web |last=IASS/TERI |date=2019 |title=Secure and reliable electricity access with renewable energy mini-grids in rural India. Assessing the co-benefits of decarbonising the power sector |url=https://www.cobenefits.info/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IN_EnergyAccess_ExecReport.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021101531/https://www.cobenefits.info/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IN_EnergyAccess_ExecReport.pdf |archive-date=2020-10-21}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Chhatre |first1=Ashwini |last2=Lakhanpal |first2=Shikha |last3=Larson |first3=Anne M |last4=Nelson |first4=Fred |last5=Ojha |first5=Hemant |last6=Rao |first6=Jagdeesh |date=December 2012 |title=Social safeguards and co-benefits in REDD+: a review of the adjacent possible |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2012.08.006 |journal=Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability |volume=4 |issue=6 |pages=654–660 |bibcode=2012COES....4..654C |doi=10.1016/j.cosust.2012.08.006 |issn=1877-3435}}</ref> Rural areas which are not fully electrified can benefit from the deployment of ]. Solar-powered mini-grids can remain economically viable, cost-competitive and reduce the number of power cuts. Energy reliability has additional social implications: stable electricity improves the quality of education.<ref>{{Cite web |last=IASS/TERI |date=2019 |title=Secure and reliable electricity access with renewable energy mini-grids in rural India. Assessing the co-benefits of decarbonising the power sector |url=https://www.cobenefits.info/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IN_EnergyAccess_ExecReport.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021101531/https://www.cobenefits.info/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IN_EnergyAccess_ExecReport.pdf |archive-date=2020-10-21}}</ref>

The International Energy Agency (]) spelled out the "multiple benefits approach" of ] while the International Renewable Energy Agency (]) operationalised the list of co-benefits of the renewable energy sector.<ref>{{Cite web |last=IRENA |date=2016 |title=Renewable Energy Benefits: Measuring the Economics |url=https://www.irena.org/publications/2016/Jan/Renewable-Energy-Benefits-Measuring-the-Economics |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201093053/http://www.irena.org/publications/2016/Jan/Renewable-Energy-Benefits-Measuring-the-Economics |archive-date=2017-12-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=IEA |date=2015 |title=Capturing the Multiple Benefits of Energy Efficiency |url=https://webstore.iea.org/capturing-the-multiple-benefits-of-energy-efficiency |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701031853/https://webstore.iea.org/capturing-the-multiple-benefits-of-energy-efficiency |archive-date=2019-07-01}}</ref>

===Health and well-being===
{{Further|Effects of climate change on human health#Benefits from climate change mitigation and adaptation}}
{{See also|Health and environmental impact of the coal industry|Health and environmental impact of the petroleum industry}}

The health benefits from climate change mitigation are significant. Potential measures can not only mitigate future health impacts from climate change but also improve health directly.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Workman |first1=Annabelle |last2=Blashki |first2=Grant |last3=Bowen |first3=Kathryn J. |last4=Karoly |first4=David J. |last5=Wiseman |first5=John |date=April 2018 |title=The Political Economy of Health Co-Benefits: Embedding Health in the Climate Change Agenda |journal=International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |language=en |volume=15 |issue=4 |pages=674 |doi=10.3390/ijerph15040674 |pmc=5923716 |pmid=29617317 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite web |last1=Molar |first1=Roberto |title=Reducing Emissions to Lessen Climate Change Could Yield Dramatic Health Benefits by 2030 |url=https://climate.nasa.gov/news/3134/reducing-emissions-to-lessen-climate-change-could-yield-dramatic-health-benefits-by-2030/ |access-date=1 December 2021 |website=Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet}}</ref> Climate change mitigation is interconnected with various health co-benefits, such as those from reduced ].<ref name="auto" /> Air pollution generated by fossil fuel combustion is both a major driver of global warming and the cause of a large number of annual deaths. Some estimates are as high as {{tooltip|2=A review of this and a more nuanced assessment of mortality impacts in terms of contribution to death, rather than number of deceased, may be needed|8.7 million}} excess deaths during 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Green |first1=Matthew |date=9 February 2021 |title=Fossil fuel pollution causes one in five premature deaths globally: study |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-pollution-fossil-idUSKBN2A90UB |url-status=live |access-date=5 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225031944/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-pollution-fossil-idUSKBN2A90UB |archive-date=25 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Vohra |first1=Karn |last2=Vodonos |first2=Alina |last3=Schwartz |first3=Joel |last4=Marais |first4=Eloise A. |author4-link=Eloise Marais|last5=Sulprizio |first5=Melissa P. |last6=Mickley |first6=Loretta J. |date=April 2021 |title=Global mortality from outdoor fine particle pollution generated by fossil fuel combustion: Results from GEOS-Chem |url=https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10119672/ |journal=Environmental Research |volume=195 |pages=110754 |bibcode=2021ER....19510754V |doi=10.1016/j.envres.2021.110754 |pmid=33577774 |s2cid=231909881}}</ref> A 2023 study estimated that fossil fuels kill over 5 million people each year, as of 2019,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gregory |first=Andrew |date=2023-11-29 |title=Air pollution from fossil fuels 'kills 5 million people a year' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/29/air-pollution-from-fossil-fuels-kills-5-million-people-a-year |work=] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> by causing diseases such as ], ] and ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Phasing out fossil fuels could save millions of lives |url=https://www.mpic.de/5466214/ausstieg-aus-fossilen-brennstoffen-koennte-mehr-als-fuenf-millionen-todesfaelle-verhindern |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=www.mpic.de |language=en}}</ref> ] kills by far the most, followed by ].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Roser |first=Max |date=2024-03-18 |title=Data review: how many people die from air pollution? |url=https://ourworldindata.org/data-review-air-pollution-deaths |journal=Our World in Data}}</ref>

Mitigation policies can also promote healthier diets such as less red meat, more active lifestyles, and increased exposure to green urban spaces.<ref name="Romanello-2021">{{cite journal |last1=Romanello |first1=Marina |last2=McGushin |first2=Alice |last3=Di Napoli |first3=Claudia |last4=Drummond |first4=Paul |last5=Hughes |first5=Nick |last6=Jamart |first6=Louis |last7=Kennard |first7=Harry |last8=Lampard |first8=Pete |last9=Solano Rodriguez |first9=Baltazar |last10=Arnell |first10=Nigel |last11=Ayeb-Karlsson |first11=Sonja |last12=Belesova |first12=Kristine |last13=Cai |first13=Wenjia |last14=Campbell-Lendrum |first14=Diarmid |last15=Capstick |first15=Stuart |last16=Chambers |first16=Jonathan |last17=Chu |first17=Lingzhi |last18=Ciampi |first18=Luisa |last19=Dalin |first19=Carole |last20=Dasandi |first20=Niheer |last21=Dasgupta |first21=Shouro |last22=Davies |first22=Michael |last23=Dominguez-Salas |first23=Paula |last24=Dubrow |first24=Robert |last25=Ebi |first25=Kristie L |last26=Eckelman |first26=Matthew |last27=Ekins |first27=Paul |last28=Escobar |first28=Luis E |last29=Georgeson |first29=Lucien |last30=Grace |first30=Delia |last31=Graham |first31=Hilary |last32=Gunther |first32=Samuel H |last33=Hartinger |first33=Stella |last34=He |first34=Kehan |last35=Heaviside |first35=Clare |last36=Hess |first36=Jeremy |last37=Hsu |first37=Shih-Che |last38=Jankin |first38=Slava |last39=Jimenez |first39=Marcia P |last40=Kelman |first40=Ilan |last41=Kiesewetter |first41=Gregor |last42=Kinney |first42=Patrick L |last43=Kjellstrom |first43=Tord |last44=Kniveton |first44=Dominic |last45=Lee |first45=Jason K W |last46=Lemke |first46=Bruno |last47=Liu |first47=Yang |last48=Liu |first48=Zhao |last49=Lott |first49=Melissa |last50=Lowe |first50=Rachel |last51=Martinez-Urtaza |first51=Jaime |last52=Maslin |first52=Mark |last53=McAllister |first53=Lucy |last54=McMichael |first54=Celia |last55=Mi |first55=Zhifu |last56=Milner |first56=James |last57=Minor |first57=Kelton |last58=Mohajeri |first58=Nahid |last59=Moradi-Lakeh |first59=Maziar |last60=Morrissey |first60=Karyn |last61=Munzert |first61=Simon |last62=Murray |first62=Kris A |last63=Neville |first63=Tara |last64=Nilsson |first64=Maria |last65=Obradovich |first65=Nick |last66=Sewe |first66=Maquins Odhiambo |last67=Oreszczyn |first67=Tadj |last68=Otto |first68=Matthias |last69=Owfi |first69=Fereidoon |last70=Pearman |first70=Olivia |last71=Pencheon |first71=David |last72=Rabbaniha |first72=Mahnaz |last73=Robinson |first73=Elizabeth |last74=Rocklöv |first74=Joacim |last75=Salas |first75=Renee N |last76=Semenza |first76=Jan C |last77=Sherman |first77=Jodi |last78=Shi |first78=Liuhua |last79=Springmann |first79=Marco |last80=Tabatabaei |first80=Meisam |last81=Taylor |first81=Jonathon |last82=Trinanes |first82=Joaquin |last83=Shumake-Guillemot |first83=Joy |last84=Vu |first84=Bryan |last85=Wagner |first85=Fabian |last86=Wilkinson |first86=Paul |last87=Winning |first87=Matthew |last88=Yglesias |first88=Marisol |last89=Zhang |first89=Shihui |last90=Gong |first90=Peng |last91=Montgomery |first91=Hugh |last92=Costello |first92=Anthony |last93=Hamilton |first93=Ian |display-authors=4|title=The 2021 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: code red for a healthy future |journal=The Lancet |date=October 2021 |volume=398 |issue=10311 |pages=1619–1662 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01787-6 |pmid=34687662 |hdl=10278/3746207 |s2cid=239046862 |url=http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/102413/1/2021%20Report%20of%20the%20Lancet%20Countdown%20revised%20_no%20refs%20ES_clean.pdf |hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Shrestha |first1=Pallavi |last2=Nukala |first2=Sai Keerthana |last3=Islam |first3=Fariha |last4=Badgery-Parker |first4=Tim |last5=Foo |first5=Fiona |title=The co-benefits of climate change mitigation strategies on cardiovascular health: a systematic review |journal=The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific |date=2024 |volume=48 |pages=101098 |doi=10.1016/j.lanwpc.2024.101098 |doi-access=free|pmc=11458989 }}</ref> Access to urban green spaces provides benefits to mental health as well.<ref name="Romanello-2021" />{{Rp|18|date=November 2012}} The increased use of ] and ] can reduce the ] effect. This reduces ] on people.<ref name="IPCC-2022">IPCC (2022) . In , Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, United States</ref>{{rp|TS-66}}

===Climate change adaptation===
{{Further|Climate change adaptation#Co-benefits with mitigation}}
Some mitigation measures have co-benefits in the area of ].<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 8">IPCC (2022)
in , Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, United States</ref>{{rp|8–63}} This is for example the case for many ].<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 4">IPCC (2022) in , Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, United States</ref>{{rp|4–94}}<ref>Ingemarsson, M. L., Weinberg, J., Rudebeck, T., Erlandsson, L. W. (2022) , , SIWI, Stockholm, Sweden</ref>{{rp|6}} Examples in the urban context include urban green and blue infrastructure which provide mitigation as well as adaptation benefits. This can be in the form of ] and street trees, ]s and ], ] and so forth. The mitigation is achieved through the conservation and expansion of carbon sinks and reduced energy use of buildings. Adaptation benefits come for example through reduced heat stress and flooding risk.<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 8" />{{rp|8–64}}

[[File:Carbon taxes and emission trading worldwide.svg|alt=Carbon taxes and emission trading worldwide|thumb|upright=1.35|Emission trading and carbon taxes around the world (2019)<ref>{{cite book |publisher=World Bank Group |date=6 June 2019 |title=State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2019 |doi=10.1596/978-1-4648-1435-8 |isbn=978-1-4648-1435-8 |s2cid=197582819 |url=https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/31755 |language=en}}</ref>
{{Legend|#009a3e|] implemented or scheduled}}
{{Legend|#323b90|] implemented or scheduled}}
{{Legend|#fbba00|] or ] under consideration}}]]

== Negative side effects ==
Mitigation measures can also have negative side effects and risks.<ref name="IPCC-2022" />{{rp|TS-133}} In agriculture and forestry, mitigation measures can affect biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.<ref name="IPCC-2022" />{{rp|TS-87}} In renewable energy, mining for metals and minerals can increase threats to conservation areas.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sonter |first1=Laura J. |last2=Dade |first2=Marie C. |last3=Watson |first3=James E. M. |last4=Valenta |first4=Rick K. |date=1 September 2020 |title=Renewable energy production will exacerbate mining threats to biodiversity |url= |journal=Nature Communications |language=en |volume=11 |issue=1 |pages=4174 |bibcode=2020NatCo..11.4174S |doi=10.1038/s41467-020-17928-5 |issn=2041-1723 |pmc=7463236 |pmid=32873789 |s2cid=221467922}}</ref> 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.<ref name="techrev">{{cite web |title=Solar panels are a pain to recycle. These companies are trying to fix that. |url=https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/08/19/1032215/solar-panels-recycling/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108103705/https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/08/19/1032215/solar-panels-recycling/ |archive-date=8 November 2021 |access-date=8 November 2021}}</ref><ref name="Lamb et al." />

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.<ref name="Lamb et al." />

== Costs and funding ==
{{Main|Economics of climate change mitigation#Assessing costs and benefits|Economic analysis of climate change}}

Several factors affect mitigation cost estimates. One is the baseline. This is a reference scenario that the alternative mitigation scenario is compared with. Others are the way costs are modelled, and assumptions about future government policy.<ref>{{cite book |author=Barker, T. |url=http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg3/en/ch11.html |title=In: Climate Change 2007: Mitigation. Contribution of Working Group III to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change |publisher=Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, and New York, N.Y., U.S.A. |year=2007 |editor=B. Metz |contribution=Mitigation from a cross-sectoral perspective. |display-authors=etal |access-date=20 May 2009 |display-editors=etal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608063706/http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg3/en/ch11.html |archive-date=8 June 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>{{rp|622}} Cost estimates for mitigation for specific regions depend on the quantity of emissions allowed for that region in future, as well as the timing of interventions.<ref>IPCC, 2007: - {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091211015940/http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/publications_ipcc_fourth_assessment_report_wg3_report_mitigation_of_climate_change.htm |date=2009-12-11 }} , Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, United States., XXX pp.</ref>{{rp|90}}

Mitigation costs will vary according to how and when emissions are cut. Early, well-planned action will minimize the costs.<ref name="stern" /> Globally, the benefits of keeping warming under 2&nbsp;°C exceed the costs,<ref name="Sampedro-2020">{{Cite journal |last1=Sampedro |first1=Jon |last2=Smith |first2=Steven J. |last3=Arto |first3=Iñaki |last4=González-Eguino |first4=Mikel |last5=Markandya |first5=Anil |last6=Mulvaney |first6=Kathleen M. |last7=Pizarro-Irizar |first7=Cristina |last8=Van Dingenen |first8=Rita |date=2020 |title=Health co-benefits and mitigation costs as per the Paris Agreement under different technological pathways for energy supply |journal=Environment International |language=en |volume=136 |pages=105513 |bibcode=2020EnInt.13605513S |doi=10.1016/j.envint.2020.105513 |pmid=32006762 |s2cid=211004787 |doi-access=free |hdl-access=free |hdl=10810/44202}}</ref> which according to ] are affordable.<ref>{{Cite news |title=The energy transition will be much cheaper than you think |url=https://www.economist.com/interactive/briefing/2024/11/14/the-energy-transition-will-be-much-cheaper-than-you-think |access-date=2024-11-16 |work=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}}</ref>

Economists estimate the cost of climate change mitigation at between 1% and 2% of ].<ref name="Rhys-2019">{{Cite web |title=Can cost benefit analysis grasp the climate change nettle? And can we... |url=https://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/blog/can-cost-benefit-analysis-grasp-the-climate-change-nettle-and-can-we-justify-ambitious-targets/ |access-date=11 November 2019 |website=Oxford Martin School |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Kotz2024">{{Cite journal |last1=Kotz |first1=Mazimilian. |last2=Levermann |first2=Anders |last3=Wenz |first3=Leonie |date=2024-04-17 |title=The economic commitment of climate change |journal=Nature |language=en |volume=628 |issue=8008 |pages=551–557 |doi=10.1038/s41586-024-07219-0 |pmid=38632481 |pmc=11023931|bibcode=2024Natur.628..551K }}</ref> While this is a large sum, it is still far less than the subsidies governments provide to the ailing fossil fuel industry. The ] estimated this at more than $5 trillion per year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Below 1.5°C: a breakthrough roadmap to solve the climate crisis |url=https://www.oneearth.org/below-1-5-c-a-breakthrough-roadmap-to-solve-the-climate-crisis/ |access-date=21 November 2022 |website=One Earth |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Teske-2019">{{Cite book|url=https://www.springer.com/de/book/9783030058425|title=Achieving the Paris Climate Agreement Goals: Global and Regional 100% Renewable Energy Scenarios with Non-energy GHG Pathways for +1.5°C and +2°C |editor-first=Sven|editor-last=Teske|date=2 August 2019|publisher=Springer Science+Business Media|doi=10.1007/978-3-030-05843-2|isbn=978-3030058425|s2cid=198078901|via=www.springer.com}}</ref>

Another estimate says that financial flows for climate mitigation and adaptation are going to be over $800 billion per year. These financial requirements are predicted to exceed $4 trillion per year by 2030.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The crucial intersection between gender and climate |url=https://www.eib.org/en/stories/gender-climate |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=European Investment Bank |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nations |first=United |title=Finance & Justice |url=https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/raising-ambition/climate-finance |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=United Nations |language=en}}</ref>

Globally, limiting warming to 2&nbsp;°C may result in higher economic benefits than economic costs.<ref>
{{cite book |author=IPCC |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg3/ |title=Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change. Contribution of Working Group III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change |publisher=] |year=2022 |editor-last1=Shukla |editor-first1=P.R. |page=300 |editor-last2=Skea |editor-first2=J. |editor-last3=Slade |editor-first3=R. |editor-last4=Al Khourdajie |editor-first4=A. |display-editors=etal}}: The global benefits of pathways limiting warming to 2°C (>67%) outweigh global mitigation costs over the 21st century, if aggregated economic impacts of climate change are at the moderate to high end of the assessed range, and a weight consistent with economic theory is given to economic impacts over the long term. This holds true even without accounting for benefits in other sustainable development dimensions or nonmarket damages from climate change (medium confidence).</ref>{{rp|300}} The economic repercussions of mitigation vary widely across regions and households, depending on policy design and level of international cooperation. Delayed global cooperation increases policy costs across regions, especially in those that are relatively carbon intensive at present. Pathways with uniform carbon values show higher mitigation costs in more carbon-intensive regions, in fossil-fuels exporting regions and in poorer regions. Aggregate quantifications expressed in GDP or monetary terms undervalue the economic effects on households in poorer countries. The actual effects on welfare and well-being are comparatively larger.<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 3">IPCC (2022) in , Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, United States</ref>

] may be unsuitable for analysing climate change mitigation as a whole. But it is still useful for analysing the difference between a 1.5&nbsp;°C target and 2&nbsp;°C.<ref name="Rhys-2019" /> One way of estimating the cost of reducing emissions is by considering the likely costs of potential technological and output changes. Policymakers can compare the ] of different methods to assess the cost and amount of possible abatement over time. The marginal abatement costs of the various measures will differ by country, by sector, and over time.<ref name="stern" />

]s on only imports contribute to reduced global export ] and to ].<ref name="o344">{{cite journal | last1=Evans | first1=Stuart | last2=Mehling | first2=Michael A. | last3=Ritz | first3=Robert A. | last4=Sammon | first4=Paul | title=Border carbon adjustments and industrial competitiveness in a European Green Deal | journal=Climate Policy | volume=21 | issue=3 | date=16 March 2021 | issn=1469-3062 | doi=10.1080/14693062.2020.1856637 | pages=307–317| bibcode=2021CliPo..21..307E | url=https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/77128/1/Evans_etal_CP_2020_Border_carbon_adjustments_and_industrial_competitiveness.pdf }}</ref>

=== Avoided costs of climate change effects ===
{{See also|Economic impacts of climate change}}

It is possible to avoid some of the costs of the ] by limiting climate change. According to the ], inaction can be as high as the equivalent of losing at least 5% of global gross domestic product (GDP) each year, now and forever. This can be up to 20% of GDP or more when including a wider range of risks and impacts. But mitigating climate change will only cost about 2% of GDP. Also it may not be a good idea from a financial perspective to delay significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dyke |first=James |title=Inaction on climate change risks leaving future generations $530 trillion in debt |url=http://theconversation.com/inaction-on-climate-change-risks-leaving-future-generations-530-trillion-in-debt-81134 |website=The Conversation|date=18 July 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hansen |first1=James |last2=Sato |first2=Makiko |last3=Kharecha |first3=Pushker |last4=von Schuckmann |first4=Karina |last5=Beerling |first5=David J. |last6=Cao |first6=Junji |last7=Marcott |first7=Shaun |last8=Masson-Delmotte |first8=Valerie |last9=Prather |first9=Michael J. |last10=Rohling |first10=Eelco J. |last11=Shakun |first11=Jeremy |last12=Smith |first12=Pete |last13=Lacis |first13=Andrew |last14=Russell |first14=Gary |last15=Ruedy |first15=Reto |date=18 July 2017 |title=Young people's burden: requirement of negative {{CO2}} emissions |url=https://esd.copernicus.org/articles/8/577/2017/ |journal=Earth System Dynamics |volume=8 |issue=3 |pages=577–616 |arxiv=1609.05878 |bibcode=2017ESD.....8..577H |doi=10.5194/esd-8-577-2017 |s2cid=54600172 |via=esd.copernicus.org |doi-access=free }}</ref>

Mitigation solutions are often evaluated in terms of costs and greenhouse gas reduction potentials. This fails to take into account the direct effects on human well-being.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Creutzig |first1=Felix |last2=Niamir |first2=Leila |last3=Bai |first3=Xuemei |last4=Callaghan |first4=Max |last5=Cullen |first5=Jonathan |last6=Díaz-José |first6=Julio |last7=Figueroa |first7=Maria |last8=Grubler |first8=Arnulf |last9=Lamb |first9=William F. |last10=Leip |first10=Adrian |last11=Masanet |first11=Eric |date=25 November 2021 |title=Demand-side solutions to climate change mitigation consistent with high levels of well-being |journal=Nature Climate Change |language=en |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=36–46 |bibcode=2022NatCC..12...36C |doi=10.1038/s41558-021-01219-y |issn=1758-6798 |s2cid=244657251 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

=== Distributing emissions abatement costs ===
Mitigation at the speed and scale required to limit warming to 2&nbsp;°C or below implies deep economic and structural changes. These raise multiple types of distributional concerns across regions, income classes and sectors.<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 3" />

There have been different proposals on how to allocate responsibility for cutting emissions.<ref name="banuri">{{cite book |author=Banuri, T. |url=https://archive.org/details/climatechange1990000unse_h1m9 |title=Equity and Social Considerations. In: Climate Change 1995: Economic and Social Dimensions of Climate Change. Contribution of Working Group III to the Second Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (J. P. Bruce et al. eds.) |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1996 |isbn=978-0521568548 |location=Cambridge and New York |display-authors=etal |url-access=registration}} PDF version: IPCC website.</ref>{{rp|103}} These include ], ] according to a minimum level of consumption, proportionality and the ]. A specific proposal is "equal per capita entitlements".<ref name="banuri" />{{rp|106}} This approach has two categories. In the first category, emissions are allocated according to national population. In the second category, emissions are allocated in a way that attempts to account for historical or cumulative emissions.

===Funding===
{{main|Climate finance|Economics of climate change mitigation#Finance}}

In order to reconcile economic development with mitigating carbon emissions, developing countries need particular support. This would be both financial and technical. The IPCC found that accelerated support would also tackle inequities in financial and economic vulnerability to climate change.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Synthesis Report of The IPCC Sixth Assessment Report |url=https://report.ipcc.ch/ar6syr/pdf/IPCC_AR6_SYR_LongerReport.pdf |page=82}}</ref> One way to achieve this is the Kyoto Protocol's ] (CDM).

== Policies ==

=== National policies ===
]Climate change mitigation policies can have a large and complex impact on the socio-economic status of individuals and countries This can be both positive and negative.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Markkanen |first1=Sanna |last2=Anger-Kraavi |first2=Annela |date=9 August 2019 |title=Social impacts of climate change mitigation policies and their implications for inequality |journal=Climate Policy |volume=19 |issue=7 |pages=827–844 |doi=10.1080/14693062.2019.1596873 |bibcode=2019CliPo..19..827M |issn=1469-3062 |s2cid=159114098|doi-access=free }}</ref> It is important to design policies well and make them inclusive. Otherwise climate change mitigation measures can impose higher financial costs on poor households.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Social Dimensions of Climate Change |url=https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/social-dimensions-of-climate-change |access-date=20 May 2021 |website=World Bank |language=en}}</ref>

An evaluation was conducted on 1,500 climate policy interventions made between 1998 and 2022.<ref name="Stechemesser2024">{{cite journal|last1=Stechemesser|first1=Annika|last2=Koch|first2=Nicolas|last3=Mark|first3=Ebba|last4=Dilger|first4=Elina|last5=Klösel|first5=Patrick|last6=Menicacci|first6=Laura|last7=Nachtigall|first7=Daniel|last8=Pretis|first8=Felix|last9=Ritter|first9=Nolan|last10=Schwarz|first10=Moritz|last11=Vossen|first11=Helena|last12=Wenzel|first12=Anna|year=2024|title=Climate policies that achieved major emission reductions: Global evidence from two decades|journal=]|publisher=]|volume=385|issue=6711|pages=884–892|doi=10.1126/science.adl6547|pmid=39172830 |bibcode=2024Sci...385..884S }}</ref> The interventions took place in 41 countries and across 6 continents, which together contributed 81% of the world's total emissions as of 2019. The evaluation found 63 successful interventions that resulted in significant emission reductions; the total {{CO2}} release averted by these interventions was between 0.6 and 1.8 billion metric tonnes. The study focused on interventions with at least 4.5% emission reductions, but the researchers noted that meeting the reductions required by the Paris Agreement would require 23 billion metric tonnes per year. Generally, carbon pricing was found to be most effective in ], while regulation was most effective in the ]. Complementary policy mixes benefited from synergies, and were mostly found to be more effective interventions than the implementation of isolated policies.<ref>{{cite web |title=Effectiveness of 1,500 global climate policies ranked for first time |url=https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2024-08-23-effectiveness-1500-global-climate-policies-ranked-first-time|access-date=13 September 2024 |website=University of Oxford|date =24 August 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Niiler|first=Eric|date=August 22, 2024|title=Most Climate Policies Don't Work. Here's What Science Says Does Reduce Emissions.|work=The Wall Street Journal|publisher=News Corp|url=https://www.wsj.com/science/environment/climate-change-policies-emissions-ai-research-a02b3f59|access-date=September 12, 2024}}</ref><ref name="The Boston Globe 9-4-2024">{{cite news|last=Jacoby|first=Jeff|date=September 4, 2024|title=Most climate policies have something in common: They don't work|work=The Boston Globe|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/09/04/opinion/climate-change-study-ineffective-policies/|access-date=September 12, 2024}}</ref>

The ] recognise 48 distinct climate mitigation policies suitable for implementation at national level. Broadly, these can be categorised into three types: ''market based'' instruments, ''non market based'' instruments and ''other'' policies. <ref name="capmf">{{cite web |title=Climate actions and policies measurement framework |url=https://oe.cd/dx/capmf|access-date=13 September 2024 |website=OECD}}</ref><ref name="Stechemesser2024" />
* '''Other''' policies include the ''Establishing an Independent climate advisory body''. <ref name="capmf" />
* '''Non market based''' policies include the Implementing or tighening of ''Regulatory standards''. These set technology or performance standards. They can be effective in addressing the ] of informational barriers.<ref name="bashmakov3">{{cite book |author=Bashmakov, I. |url=http://www.grida.no/publications/other/ipcc_tar/?src=/climate/ipcc_tar/wg3/357.htm |title=Climate Change 2001: Mitigation. Contribution of Working Group III to the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2001 |editor=B. Metz |contribution=Policies, Measures, and Instruments |display-authors=etal |access-date=20 May 2009 |display-editors=etal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305032914/http://www.grida.no/publications/other/ipcc_tar/?src=%2Fclimate%2Fipcc_tar%2Fwg3%2F357.htm |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>{{rp|412}}
*Among '''market based''' policies, the ''carbon price'' has been found to be the most effective (at least for developed economies),<ref name="Stechemesser2024" /> and has its own section below. Additional ''market based'' policy instruments for climate change mitigation include:
''Emissions taxes'' These often require domestic emitters to pay a fixed fee or tax for every tonne of CO<sub>2</sub> emissions they release into the atmosphere.<ref name="bashmakov3" />{{rp|4123}} ] from fossil fuel extraction are also occasionally taxed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pham |first=Alexander |date=7 June 2022 |title=Can We Widely Adopt A Methane Tax to Cut the Greenhouse Gas? |url=https://earth.org/methane-tax/ |access-date=26 November 2022 |website=Earth.Org |language=en}}</ref> But methane and nitrous oxide from agriculture are typically not subject to tax.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Zealand Outlines Plans to Tax Livestock Gas |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/new-zealand-outlines-plans-to-tax-livestock-gas/6787828.html |access-date=26 November 2022 |website=VOA |date=12 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
<br />''Removing unhelpful subsidies:'' Many countries provide subsidies for activities that affect emissions. For example, significant ] are present in many countries.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Browning |first1=Noah |last2=Kelly |first2=Stephanie |date=8 March 2022 |title=Analysis: Ukraine crisis could boost ballooning fossil fuel subsidies |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/ukraine-crisis-could-boost-ballooning-fossil-fuel-subsidies-2022-03-08/ |access-date=2 April 2022 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref> ] is crucial to address the climate crisis.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Breaking up with fossil fuels |url=https://feature.undp.org/breaking-up-with-fossil-fuels |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603162133/https://feature.undp.org/breaking-up-with-fossil-fuels/ |archive-date=3 June 2023 |access-date=24 November 2022 |website=UNDP |language=en}}</ref> It must however be done carefully to avoid protests<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Gencsu |first1=Ipek |last2=Walls |first2=Ginette |last3=Picciariello |first3=Angela |last4=Alasia |first4=Ibifuro Joy |date=2 November 2022 |title=Nigeria's energy transition: reforming fossil fuel subsidies and other financing opportunities |url=https://odi.org/en/publications/nigerias-energy-transition-reforming-fossil-fuel-subsidies-and-other-financing-opportunities/ |access-date=24 November 2022 |website=ODI: Think change |language=en-gb}}</ref> and making poor people poorer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Reforming Fossil Fuel Subsidies Can Go Wrong: A lesson from Ecuador |url=https://www.iisd.org/blog/lesson-ecuador-fossil-fuel-subsidies |access-date=11 November 2019 |website=IISD |language=en}}</ref>
<br />''Creating helpful subsidies'': Creating subsidies and financial incentives.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Hittinger |first1=Eric |last2=Williams |first2=Eric |last3=Miao |first3=Qing |last4=Tibebu |first4=Tiruwork B. |title=How to design clean energy subsidies that work – without wasting money on free riders |url=http://theconversation.com/how-to-design-clean-energy-subsidies-that-work-without-wasting-money-on-free-riders-191635 |access-date=24 November 2022 |website=The Conversation |date=21 November 2022 |language=en}}</ref> One example is ] to support clean generation which is not yet commercially viable such as tidal power.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 November 2022 |title=How tide has turned on UK tidal stream energy as costs ebb and reliability flows |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/nov/23/tidal-stream-energy-costs-ebb-reliability-flows |access-date=24 November 2022 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref>
<br />''Tradable permits'': A ] can limit emissions.<ref name="bashmakov3" />{{rp|415}}

==== Carbon pricing ====
{{Main|Carbon price}}

]
Imposing additional costs on greenhouse gas emissions can make fossil fuels less competitive and accelerate investments into low-carbon sources of energy. A growing number of countries raise a fixed ] or participate in dynamic ] (ETS) systems. In 2021, more than 21% of global greenhouse gas emissions were covered by a carbon price. This was a big increase from earlier due to the introduction of the ].<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://elibrary.worldbank.org/doi/book/10.1596/978-1-4648-1728-1 |title=State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2021 |date=2021 |publisher=The World Bank |isbn=978-1-4648-1728-1 |language=en |doi=10.1596/978-1-4648-1728-1}}</ref>{{rp|23}}

Trading schemes offer the possibility to limit emission allowances to certain reduction targets. However, an oversupply of allowances keeps most ETS at low price levels around $10 with a low impact. This includes the Chinese ETS which started with $7/t{{CO2}} in 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Shepherd |first1=Christian |date=16 July 2021 |title=China's carbon market scheme too limited, say analysts |newspaper=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/3bcc2380-8544-4146-ba71-83944caff48d |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=16 July 2021 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221211221255/https://www.ft.com/content/3bcc2380-8544-4146-ba71-83944caff48d |archive-date=11 December 2022 }}</ref> One exception is the ] where prices began to rise in 2018. They reached about €80/t{{CO2}} in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Carbon Price Viewer |url=https://ember-climate.org/data/carbon-price-viewer |access-date=10 October 2021 |publisher=EMBER}}</ref> This results in additional costs of about €0.04/KWh for coal and €0.02/KWh for gas combustion for electricity, depending on the ].{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}} Industries which have high energy requirements and high emissions often pay only very low energy taxes, or even none at all.<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 11">IPCC (2022) "" in "", Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, United States.</ref>{{rp|11–80}}

While this is often part of national schemes, ] can be part of a voluntary market as well such as on the international market. Notably, the company ] of the ] has bought ownership over an area equivalent to the United Kingdom to be preserved in return for carbon credits.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/30/the-new-scramble-for-africa-how-a-uae-sheikh-quietly-made-carbon-deals-for-forests-bigger-than-uk|title=The new 'scramble for Africa': how a UAE sheikh quietly made carbon deals for forests bigger than UK|author=Patrick Greenfield|journal=The Guardian|date=30 November 2023|access-date=25 August 2024}}</ref>

=== International agreements ===
{{Main|Politics of climate change}}

{{See also|Climate change#Policies and politics|Climate change mitigation framework}}

Almost all countries are parties to the ] (UNFCCC).<ref>{{Cite web |title=UN Framework Convention on Climate Change – UNFCCC |url=https://enb.iisd.org/negotiations/un-framework-convention-climate-change-unfccc |access-date=2 November 2022 |website=IISD Earth Negotiations Bulletin |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change {{!}} United Nations Secretary-General |url=https://www.un.org/sg/en/global-leadership/united-nations-framework-convention-on-climate-change/all |access-date=2 November 2022 |website=www.un.org}}</ref> The ultimate objective of the UNFCCC is to stabilize atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases at a level that would prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system.<ref>{{cite web |author=UNFCCC |date=2002 |title=Full Text of the Convention, Article 2: Objectives |url=http://unfccc.int/essential_background/convention/background/items/1353.php |publisher=UNFCCC}}</ref>

Although not designed for this purpose, the ] has benefited climate change mitigation efforts.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Velders, G.J.M. |display-authors=etal |date=20 March 2007 |title=The importance of the Montreal Protocol in protecting climate |journal=PNAS |volume=104 |issue=12 |pages=4814–19 |bibcode=2007PNAS..104.4814V |doi=10.1073/pnas.0610328104 |pmc=1817831 |pmid=17360370 |doi-access=free}}</ref> The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty that has successfully reduced emissions of ]s such as ]. These are also greenhouse gases.

==== Paris Agreement ====
] to the ]]]
{{excerpt|Paris Agreement|paragraphs=1|file=no}}

== History ==
{{See also|Climate change mitigation framework|History of climate change policy and politics|Kyoto Protocol#Chronology|Paris Agreement#Development}}
Historically efforts to deal with climate change have taken place at a multinational level. They involve attempts to reach a consensus decision at the United Nations, under the ] (UNFCCC).<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of the Convention {{!}} UNFCCC |url=https://unfccc.int/process/the-convention/history-of-the-convention |access-date=2 December 2019 |website=unfccc.int}}</ref> This is the dominant approach historically of engaging as many international governments as possible in taking action on a worldwide public issue. The ] in 1987 is a precedent that this approach can work. But some critics say the top-down framework of only utilizing the UNFCCC consensus approach is ineffective. They put forward counter-proposals of bottom-up governance. At this same time this would lessen the emphasis on the UNFCCC.<ref name="Cole-2015">{{Cite journal |last=Cole |first=Daniel H. |date=28 January 2015 |title=Advantages of a polycentric approach to climate change policy |url=https://www.repository.law.indiana.edu/facpub/1415 |journal=Nature Climate Change |language=en |volume=5 |issue=2 |pages=114–118 |bibcode=2015NatCC...5..114C |doi=10.1038/nclimate2490 |issn=1758-6798}}</ref><ref name="Sabel-2017">{{Cite journal |last1=Sabel |first1=Charles F. |last2=Victor |first2=David G. |date=1 September 2017 |title=Governing global problems under uncertainty: making bottom-up climate policy work |journal=Climatic Change |language=en |volume=144 |issue=1 |pages=15–27 |bibcode=2017ClCh..144...15S |doi=10.1007/s10584-015-1507-y |issn=1573-1480 |s2cid=153561849}}</ref><ref name="Zefferman-2018">{{Cite journal |last=Zefferman |first=Matthew R. |date=1 January 2018 |title=Cultural multilevel selection suggests neither large or small cooperative agreements are likely to solve climate change without changing the game |journal=Sustainability Science |language=en |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=109–118 |doi=10.1007/s11625-017-0488-3 |bibcode=2018SuSc...13..109Z |issn=1862-4057 |s2cid=158187220}}</ref>

The ] to the UNFCCC adopted in 1997 set out legally binding emission reduction commitments for the "Annex 1" countries.<ref>{{cite book |author-last1=Verbruggen |author-first1=A. |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/03/ar4_wg3_full_report-1.pdf |title=Climate Change 2007: Mitigation. Contribution of Working Group III to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-521-88011-4 |editor-last1=Metz |editor-first1=B. |location=Cambridge, UK, and New York, N.Y. |pages=809–822 |chapter=Annex I. Glossary |access-date=19 January 2022 |display-editors=etal |chapter-url=https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/02/ar4-wg3-annex1-1.pdf}}</ref>{{rp|817}} The Protocol defined three international policy instruments ("]") which could be used by the Annex 1 countries to meet their emission reduction commitments. According to Bashmakov, use of these instruments could significantly reduce the costs for Annex 1 countries in meeting their emission reduction commitments.<ref name="bashmakov">{{cite book |author-last1=Bashmakov |author-first1=Igor |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/03/WGIII_TAR_full_report.pdf |title=Climate Change 2001: Mitigation. Contribution of Working Group III to the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change |author-last2=Jepma |author-first2=Catrinus |date=2001 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |editor-last1=Metz |editor-first1=B. |location=Cambridge |chapter=6. Policies, Measures, and Instruments |access-date=20 January 2020 |editor-last2=Davidson |editor-first2=O |editor-last3=Swart |editor-first3=R. |editor-last4=Pan |editor-first4=J.}}</ref>{{rp|402}}{{Update inline|date=January 2022|reason=were they used and did they work?}}

The Paris Agreement reached in 2015 succeeded the ] which expired in 2020. ] committed to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases, or engage in ] if they maintain or increase emissions of these gases.

In 2015, the UNFCCC's "structured expert dialogue" came to the conclusion that, "in some regions and vulnerable ecosystems, high risks are projected even for warming above 1.5&nbsp;°C".<ref>{{cite web |date=4 April 2015 |title=Report on the structured expert dialogue on the 2013–2015 review |url=http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/2015/sb/eng/inf01.pdf |access-date=21 June 2016 |publisher=UNFCCC, Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice & Subsidiary Body for Implementation}}</ref> Together with the strong diplomatic voice of the poorest countries and the island nations in the Pacific, this expert finding was the driving force leading to the decision of the 2015 ] to lay down this 1.5&nbsp;°C long-term target on top of the existing 2&nbsp;°C goal.<ref>{{cite web |title=1.5°C temperature limit – key facts |url=http://climateanalytics.org/hot-topics/1-5c-key-facts.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630193348/http://climateanalytics.org/hot-topics/1-5c-key-facts.html |archive-date=30 June 2016 |access-date=21 June 2016 |publisher=Climate Analytics}}</ref>

== Society and culture ==

=== Commitments to divest ===
]More than 1000 organizations with investments worth US$8 trillion have made commitments to ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Major milestone: 1000+ divestment commitments |url=https://gofossilfree.org/major-milestone-1000-divestment-commitments/ |date=December 13, 2018 |access-date=17 December 2018 |website=350.org}}</ref> Socially responsible investing funds allow investors to invest in funds that meet high ] (ESG) standards.<ref>{{cite web |title=5 Mutual Funds for Socially Responsible Investors |date=May 2012 |url=http://www.kiplinger.com/article/investing/T041-C016-S001-5-mutual-funds-for-socially-responsible-investors.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222214205/https://www.kiplinger.com/article/investing/T041-C016-S001-5-mutual-funds-for-socially-responsible-investors.html |archive-date=22 February 2019 |access-date=30 December 2015 |publisher=Kiplinger |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Barriers ===
{{See also|Politics of climate change|Climate change denial|Media coverage of climate change|Public opinion on climate change|Sustainability#Barriers}}
]
]

There are individual, institutional and market barriers to achieving climate change mitigation.<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 5" />{{rp|5–71}} They differ for all the different mitigation options, regions and societies.

Difficulties with ] can act as economic barriers. This would apply to BECCS (]).<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 6" />{{rp|6–42}} The strategies that companies follow can act as a barrier. But they can also accelerate decarbonisation.<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 5" />{{rp|5–84}}

In order to decarbonise societies the state needs to play a predominant role. This is because it requires a massive coordination effort.<ref name="Berg-2020">{{Cite book |last=Berg |first=Christian |title=Sustainable action : overcoming the barriers |date=2020 |isbn=978-0-429-57873-1 |location=Abingdon, Oxon |publisher=Routledge |oclc=1124780147}}</ref>{{rp|213}} This strong government role can only work well if there is social cohesion, political stability and trust.<ref name="Berg-2020" />{{rp|213}}

For land-based mitigation options, finance is a major barrier. Other barriers are cultural values, governance, accountability and institutional capacity.<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 7" />{{rp|7-5}}

Developing countries face further barriers to mitigation.<ref>{{cite web |author=Sathaye, J. |display-authors=etal |year=2001 |title=Barriers, Opportunities, and Market Potential of Technologies and Practices. In: Climate Change 2001: Mitigation. Contribution of Working Group III to the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (B. Metz, ''et al''., Eds.) |url=http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/publications_and_data_reports.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005032403/http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/publications_and_data_reports.htm |archive-date=5 October 2018 |access-date=20 May 2009 |publisher=Cambridge University Press}}</ref>
* The cost of capital increased in the early 2020s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Loe |first=Catherine |date=1 December 2022 |title=Energy transition will move slowly over the next decade |url=https://services.eiu.com/energy-transition-will-move-slowly-over-the-next-decade/ |access-date=2 December 2022 |website=Economist Intelligence Unit |language=en-GB}}</ref> A lack of available capital and finance is common in developing countries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The cost of capital in clean energy transitions – Analysis |url=https://www.iea.org/articles/the-cost-of-capital-in-clean-energy-transitions |access-date=26 November 2022 |website=IEA |date=17 December 2021 |language=en-GB}}</ref> Together with the absence of regulatory standards, this barrier supports the proliferation of inefficient equipment.
* There are also financial and ] barrier in many of these countries.<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 5" />{{rp|97}}

One study estimates that only 0.12% of all funding for climate-related research goes on the social science of climate change mitigation.<ref name="Overland-2020">{{Cite journal |last1=Overland |first1=Indra |last2=Sovacool |first2=Benjamin K. |date=1 April 2020 |title=The misallocation of climate research funding |journal=Energy Research & Social Science |language=en |volume=62 |pages=101349 |doi=10.1016/j.erss.2019.101349 |issn=2214-6296 |doi-access=free|bibcode=2020ERSS...6201349O |hdl=11250/2647605 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> Vastly more funding goes on natural science studies of climate change. Considerable sums also go on studies of the impact of climate change and adaptation to it.<ref name="Overland-2020" />

=== Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic ===
{{Main|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the environment#Climate change}}

The ] led some governments to shift their focus away from climate action, at least temporarily.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Filho |first1=Walter Leal |last2=Hickmann |first2=Thomas |last3=Nagy |first3=Gustavo J. |last4=Pinho |first4=Patricia |last5=Sharifi |first5=Ayyoob |last6=Minhas |first6=Aprajita |last7=Islam |first7=M Rezaul |last8=Djalanti |first8=Riyanti |last9=García Vinuesa |first9=Antonio |last10=Abubakar |first10=Ismaila Rimi |date=2022 |title=The Influence of the Corona Virus Pandemic on Sustainable Development Goal 13 and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Processes |journal=Frontiers in Environmental Science |volume=10 |pages=784466 |doi=10.3389/fenvs.2022.784466 |issn=2296-665X |doi-access=free|hdl=10347/29848 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> This obstacle to environmental policy efforts may have contributed to slowed investment in green energy technologies. The economic slowdown resulting from COVID-19 added to this effect.<ref name="UN">{{cite web |date=1 April 2020 |title=Cop26 climate talks postponed to 2021 amid coronavirus pandemic |url=https://www.climatechangenews.com/2020/04/01/cop26-climate-talks-postponed-2021-amid-coronavirus-pandemic/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404132430/https://www.climatechangenews.com/2020/04/01/cop26-climate-talks-postponed-2021-amid-coronavirus-pandemic/ |archive-date=4 April 2020 |access-date=2 April 2020 |website=Climate Home News |language=en}}</ref><ref name="9mMFi">{{cite news |date=13 March 2020 |title=Coronavirus could weaken climate change action and hit clean energy investment, researchers warn |publisher=] |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/13/coronavirus-could-weaken-climate-change-action-hit-clean-energy.html |url-status=live |access-date=16 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200315223847/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/13/coronavirus-could-weaken-climate-change-action-hit-clean-energy.html |archive-date=15 March 2020 |vauthors=Newburger E}}</ref>

In 2020, carbon dioxide emissions fell by 6.4% or 2.3 billion tonnes globally.<ref name="Tollefson-2021">{{cite journal |vauthors=Tollefson J |date=January 2021 |title=COVID curbed carbon emissions in 2020 - but not by much |journal=Nature |volume=589 |issue=7842 |pages=343 |bibcode=2021Natur.589..343T |doi=10.1038/d41586-021-00090-3 |pmid=33452515 |s2cid=231622354}}</ref> Greenhouse gas emissions rebounded later in the pandemic as many countries began lifting restrictions. The direct impact of pandemic policies had a negligible long-term impact on climate change.<ref name="Tollefson-2021" /><ref name="effectspaper">{{cite journal |display-authors=6 |vauthors=Forster PM, Forster HI, Evans MJ, Gidden MJ, Jones CD, Keller CA, Lamboll RD, Le Quéré C, Rogelj J, Rosen D, Schleussner CF |date=7 August 2020 |title=Current and future global climate impacts resulting from COVID-19 |journal=Nature Climate Change |language=en |volume=10 |issue=10 |pages=913–919 |bibcode=2020NatCC..10..913F |doi=10.1038/s41558-020-0883-0 |issn=1758-6798 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

== Examples by country ==
{{multiple image
| total_width = 450
| image1 = 20210626 Variwide chart of greenhouse gas emissions per capita by country.svg
| caption1 = Greenhouse gas emissions ''per person'' in the highest-emitting countries.<ref name=GlobalCarbonAtlas_Territorial_MtCO2>● Source for carbon emissions data: {{cite web |title=Territorial (MtCO₂) / Emissions / Carbon emissions / Chart View |url=https://globalcarbonatlas.org/emissions/carbon-emissions/ |date=2024 |publisher=Global Carbon Atlas }}<br>● Source for country population data: {{cite web |title=Population 2022 |url=https://databankfiles.worldbank.org/public/ddpext_download/POP.pdf |publisher=World Bank |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241022200208/https://databankfiles.worldbank.org/public/ddpext_download/POP.pdf |archive-date=22 October 2024 |date=2024 |url-status=live }}</ref> Though China has the greatest total annual carbon dioxide emissions, the U.S. and a few other high-emitting countries exceed China in ''per capita'' emissions.
| image2 = 2021 Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per person versus GDP per person - scatter plot.svg
| caption2 = Richer ] countries emit more {{CO2}} per person than poorer ] countries.<ref name=WashPost_20230301>{{cite news |last1=Stevens |first1=Harry |title=The United States has caused the most global warming. When will China pass it? |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/interactive/2023/global-warming-carbon-emissions-china-us/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=1 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301130719/https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/interactive/2023/global-warming-carbon-emissions-china-us/ |archive-date=1 March 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> Emissions are roughly proportional to ] per person, though the rate of increase diminishes with average GDP/pp of about $10,000.
}}

=== United States ===
{{Main|Climate change in the United States}}

{{excerpt|Greenhouse gas emissions by the United States#Federal Policies}}

=== China ===
{{main|Greenhouse gas emissions by China|Climate change in China|Debate over China's economic responsibilities for climate change mitigation}}

China has committed to peak emissions by 2030 and reach ] by 2060.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stanway |first=David |date=2022-11-21 |title=China's {{CO2}} emissions fall but policies still not aligned with long-term goals |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/cop/chinas-co2-emissions-down-since-2021-still-not-peak-report-2022-11-21/ |access-date=2023-04-14}}</ref> Warming cannot be limited to 1.5&nbsp;°C if any ] (without carbon capture) operate after 2045.<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://www.efchina.org/Attachments/Report/report-lceg-20201210/Full-Report_Synthesis-Report-2020-on-Chinas-Carbon-Neutrality_EN.pdf |title=China's New Growth Pathway: From the 14th Five-Year Plan to Carbon Neutrality |last= |first= |date=December 2020 |publisher=Energy Foundation China |page=24 |access-date=20 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416100821/https://www.efchina.org/Attachments/Report/report-lceg-20201210/Full-Report_Synthesis-Report-2020-on-Chinas-Carbon-Neutrality_EN.pdf |archive-date=16 April 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The ] started in 2021.

=== European Union ===
The ] estimates that an additional €477 million in annual investment is needed for the European Union to meet its ] decarbonization goals.<ref name=":2112">{{Cite web |title=The scale-up gap: Financial market constraints holding back innovative firms in the European Union |url=https://www.eib.org/the-scale-up-gap |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=European Investment Bank |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Andersson |first1=Malin |last2=Nerlich |first2=Carolin |last3=Pasqua |first3=Carlo |last4=Rusinova |first4=Desislava |date=2024-06-18 |title=Massive investment needs to meet EU green and digital targets |url=https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/fie/box/html/ecb.fiebox202406_01.en.html |language=en}}</ref>

In the European Union, government-driven policies and the ] have helped position greentech (as an example) as a vital area for venture capital investment. By 2023, venture capital in the EU's greentech sector equaled that of the United States, reflecting a concerted effort to drive innovation and mitigate climate change through targeted financial support.<ref name=":2113">{{Cite web |title=The scale-up gap: Financial market constraints holding back innovative firms in the European Union |url=https://www.eib.org/the-scale-up-gap |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=European Investment Bank |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Financing and commercialisation of cleantech innovation |url=https://link.epo.org/web/publications/studies/en-financing-and-commercialisation-of-cleantech-innovation-study.pdf}}</ref> The European Green Deal has fostered policies that contributed to a 30% rise in venture capital for greentech companies in the EU from 2021 to 2023, despite a downturn in other sectors during the same period.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Cleantech Annual Briefing 2023 |url=https://www.cleantechforeurope.com/publications/cleantech-annual-briefing-2023 |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=www.cleantechforeurope.com}}</ref>

While overall venture capital investment in the EU remains about six times lower than in the United States, the greentech sector has closed this gap significantly, attracting substantial funding. Key areas benefitting from increased investments are energy storage, circular economy initiatives, and agricultural technology. This is supported by the EU's ambitious goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030.<ref name=":1" />

== Related approaches ==

=== Relationship with solar radiation modification (SRM) ===
While ] (SRM) could reduce surface temperatures, it temporarily masks climate change rather than addressing the root cause, which is greenhouse gases.<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 14">IPCC (2022) in , Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, United States]</ref>{{rp|14–56}} SRM would work by altering how much solar radiation the Earth absorbs.<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 14" />{{rp|14–56}} Examples include reducing the amount of sunlight reaching the surface, reducing the optical thickness and lifetime of clouds, and changing the ability of the surface to reflect radiation.<ref>{{Cite book |last=National Academies of Sciences |first=Engineering |url=https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/25762/reflecting-sunlight-recommendations-for-solar-geoengineering-research-and-research-governance |title=Reflecting Sunlight: Recommendations for Solar Geoengineering Research and Research Governance |date=25 March 2021 |isbn=978-0-309-67605-2 |language=en |doi=10.17226/25762 |s2cid=234327299}}</ref> The ] describes SRM as a climate risk reduction strategy or supplementary option rather than a climate mitigation option.<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 14" />

The terminology in this area is still evolving. Experts sometimes use the term ''geoengineering'' or ] in the scientific literature for both CDR or SRM, if the techniques are used at a global scale.<ref name="AR6 WGIII Ch 1" />{{rp|6–11}} IPCC reports no longer use the terms ''geoengineering'' or ''climate engineering''.<ref name="IPCC AR6 WGI Glossary" />

== See also ==
{{portal|border=no|Climate change|Plants|Trees}}
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Climate change}}
{{World topic|Climate change in|title=Climate change by country|noredlinks=no}}
{{Sustainability}}
{{Population}}
{{Authority control}}

]
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Latest revision as of 16:40, 25 December 2024

Actions to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions to limit climate change 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.Aerial view of a solar farm with part of a wind farm in the backgroundpublic transportreforestationPlant-based dishesVarious aspects of climate change mitigation: Renewable energy (solar and wind power) in England, electrified public transport in France, a reforestation project in Haiti to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and an example of a plant-based meal

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. Current climate change mitigation policies are insufficient as they would still result in global warming of about 2.7 °C by 2100, significantly above the 2015 Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to below 2 °C.

Solar energy and wind power can replace fossil fuels at the lowest cost compared to other renewable energy options. 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. 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.

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.

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. Another issue is overcoming environmental objections when constructing new clean energy sources and making grid modifications. Limiting climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions or removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere could be supplemented by climate technologies such as solar radiation management (or solar geoengineering). Complementary climate change actions, including climate activism, have a focus on political and cultural aspects.

Definitions and scope

Part of a series on
Climate change mitigation
Energy
Economics
Frameworks and treaties
Carbon sinks
Related content

Climate change mitigation aims to sustain ecosystems to maintain human civilisation. This requires drastic cuts in greenhouse gas emissions . The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) defines mitigation (of climate change) as "a human intervention to reduce emissions or enhance the sinks of greenhouse gases".

It is possible to approach various mitigation measures in parallel. This is because there is no single pathway to limit global warming to 1.5 or 2 °C. There are four types of measures:

  1. Sustainable energy and sustainable transport
  2. Energy conservation, including efficient energy use
  3. Sustainable agriculture and green industrial policy
  4. Enhancing carbon sinks and carbon dioxide removal (CDR), including carbon sequestration

The IPCC defined carbon dioxide removal as "Anthropogenic activities removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and durably storing it in geological, terrestrial, or ocean reservoirs, or in products. It includes existing and potential anthropogenic enhancement of biological or geochemical CO2 sinks and direct air carbon dioxide capture and storage (DACCS), but excludes natural CO2 uptake not directly caused by human activities."

Emission trends and pledges

Main article: Greenhouse gas emissions

GHG emissions 2020 by gas type
without land-use change
using 100 year GWP
Total: 49.8 GtCO2e

  CO2 mostly by fossil fuel (72%)  CH4 methane (19%)  N
2O nitrous oxide (6%)  Fluorinated gases (3%)

CO2 emissions by fuel type

  coal (39%)  oil (34%)  gas (21%)  cement (4%)  others (1.5%)

Greenhouse gas emissions from human activities strengthen the greenhouse effect. This contributes to climate change. Most is carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels: coal, oil, and natural gas. Human-caused emissions have increased atmospheric carbon dioxide by about 50% over pre-industrial levels. Emissions in the 2010s averaged a record 56 billion tons (Gt) a year. In 2016, energy for electricity, heat and transport was responsible for 73.2% of GHG emissions. Direct industrial processes accounted for 5.2%, waste for 3.2% and agriculture, forestry and land use for 18.4%.

Electricity generation and transport are major emitters. The largest single source is coal-fired power stations with 20% of greenhouse gas emissions. Deforestation and other changes in land use also emit carbon dioxide and methane. The largest sources of anthropogenic methane emissions are agriculture, and gas venting and fugitive emissions from the fossil-fuel industry. The largest agricultural methane source is livestock. Agricultural soils emit nitrous oxide, partly due to fertilizers. There is now a political solution to the problem of fluorinated gases from refrigerants. This is because many countries have ratified the Kigali Amendment.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the dominant emitted greenhouse gas. Methane (CH4) emissions almost have the same short-term impact. Nitrous oxide (N2O) and fluorinated gases (F-Gases) play a minor role. Livestock and manure produce 5.8% of all greenhouse gas emissions. But this depends on the time frame used to calculate the global warming potential of the respective gas.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are measured in CO2 equivalents. Scientists determine their CO2 equivalents from their global warming potential (GWP). This depends on their lifetime in the atmosphere. There are widely used greenhouse gas accounting methods that convert volumes of methane, nitrous oxide and other greenhouse gases to carbon dioxide equivalents. Estimates largely depend on the ability of oceans and land sinks to absorb these gases. Short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) persist in the atmosphere for a period ranging from days to 15 years. Carbon dioxide can remain in the atmosphere for millennia. Short-lived climate pollutants include methane, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), tropospheric ozone and black carbon.

Scientists increasingly use satellites to locate and measure greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation. Earlier, scientists largely relied on or calculated estimates of greenhouse gas emissions and governments' self-reported data.

Needed emissions cuts

Global greenhouse gas emission scenarios, based on policies and pledges as of 11/21

The annual "Emissions Gap Report" by UNEP stated in 2022 that it was necessary to almost halve emissions. "To get on track for limiting global warming to 1.5°C, global annual GHG emissions must be reduced by 45 per cent compared with emissions projections under policies currently in place in just eight years, and they must continue to decline rapidly after 2030, to avoid exhausting the limited remaining atmospheric carbon budget." The report commented that the world should focus on broad-based economy-wide transformations and not incremental change.

In 2022, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its Sixth Assessment Report on climate change. It warned that greenhouse gas emissions must peak before 2025 at the latest and decline 43% by 2030 to have a good chance of limiting global warming to 1.5 °C (2.7 °F). Or in the words of Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres: "Main emitters must drastically cut emissions starting this year".

Pledges

Further information: Climate target

Climate Action Tracker described the situation on 9 November 2021 as follows. The global temperature will rise by 2.7 °C by the end of the century with current policies and by 2.9 °C with nationally adopted policies. The temperature will rise by 2.4 °C if countries only implement the pledges for 2030. The rise would be 2.1 °C with the achievement of the long-term targets too. Full achievement of all announced targets would mean the rise in global temperature will peak at 1.9 °C and go down to 1.8 °C by the year 2100. Experts gather information about climate pledges in the Global Climate Action Portal - Nazca. The scientific community is checking their fulfilment.

There has not been a definitive or detailed evaluation of most goals set for 2020. But it appears the world failed to meet most or all international goals set for that year.

One update came during the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow. The group of researchers running the Climate Action Tracker looked at countries responsible for 85% of greenhouse gas emissions. It found that only four countries or political entities—the EU, UK, Chile and Costa Rica—have published a detailed official policy‑plan that describes the steps to realise 2030 mitigation targets. These four polities are responsible for 6% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

In 2021 the US and EU launched the Global Methane Pledge to cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030. The UK, Argentina, Indonesia, Italy and Mexico joined the initiative. Ghana and Iraq signaled interest in joining. A White House summary of the meeting noted those countries represent six of the top 15 methane emitters globally. Israel also joined the initiative.

Low-carbon energy

Main articles: Sustainable energy and Energy transition
Coal, oil, and natural gas remain the primary global energy sources even as renewables have begun rapidly increasing.

The energy system includes the delivery and use of energy. It is the main emitter of carbon dioxide (CO2). Rapid and deep reductions in the carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector are necessary to limit global warming to well below 2 °C. IPCC recommendations include reducing fossil fuel consumption, increasing production from low- and zero carbon energy sources, and increasing use of electricity and alternative energy carriers.

Nearly all scenarios and strategies involve a major increase in the use of renewable energy in combination with increased energy efficiency measures. It will be necessary to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy six-fold from 0.25% annual growth in 2015 to 1.5% to keep global warming under 2 °C.

Renewable energy sources, especially solar photovoltaic and wind power, are providing an increasing share of power capacity.

The competitiveness of renewable energy is a key to a rapid deployment. In 2020, onshore wind and solar photovoltaics were the cheapest source for new bulk electricity generation in many regions. Renewables may have higher storage costs but non-renewables may have higher clean-up costs. A carbon price can increase the competitiveness of renewable energy.

Solar and wind energy

Main articles: Solar energy and Wind power
The 150 MW Andasol solar power station is a commercial parabolic trough solar thermal power plant, located in Spain. The Andasol plant uses tanks of molten salt to store solar energy so that it can continue generating electricity for 7.5 hours after the sun has stopped shining.

Wind and sun can provide large amounts of low-carbon energy at competitive production costs. The IPCC estimates that these two mitigation options have the largest potential to reduce emissions before 2030 at low cost. Solar photovoltaics (PV) has become the cheapest way to generate electricity in many regions of the world. The growth of photovoltaics has been close to exponential. It has about doubled every three years since the 1990s. A different technology is concentrated solar power (CSP). This uses mirrors or lenses to concentrate a large area of sunlight on to a receiver. With CSP, the energy can be stored for a few hours. This provides supply in the evening. Solar water heating doubled between 2010 and 2019.

The Shepherds Flat Wind Farm is an 845 megawatt (MW) nameplate capacity, wind farm in the US state of Oregon. Each turbine is a nameplate 2 or 2.5 MW electricity generator.

Regions in the higher northern and southern latitudes have the greatest potential for wind power. Offshore wind farms are more expensive. But offshore units deliver more energy per installed capacity with less fluctuations. In most regions, wind power generation is higher in the winter when PV output is low. For this reason, combinations of wind and solar power lead to better-balanced systems.

Other renewables

The 22,500 MW nameplate capacity Three Gorges Dam in the People's Republic of China, the largest hydroelectric power station in the world

Other well-established renewable energy forms include hydropower, bioenergy and geothermal energy.

  • Hydroelectricity is electricity generated by hydropower and plays a leading role in countries like Brazil, Norway and China. but there are geographical limits and environmental issues. Tidal power can be used in coastal regions.
  • Bioenergy can provide energy for electricity, heat and transport. Bioenergy, in particular biogas, can provide dispatchable electricity generation. 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. For example, aviation is starting to use renewable biofuels.
  • Geothermal power is electrical power generated from geothermal energy. Geothermal electricity generation is currently used in 26 countries. Geothermal heating is in use in 70 countries.

Integrating variable renewable energy

Further information: Variable renewable energy and energy storage

Wind and solar power production does not consistently match demand. To deliver reliable electricity from variable renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, electrical power systems must be flexible. Most electrical grids were constructed for non-intermittent energy sources such as coal-fired power plants. The integration of larger amounts of solar and wind energy into the grid requires a change of the energy system; this is necessary to ensure that the supply of electricity matches demand.

There are various ways to make the electricity system more flexible. In many places, wind and solar generation are complementary on a daily and a seasonal scale. There is more wind during the night and in winter when solar energy production is low. Linking different geographical regions through long-distance transmission lines also makes it possible to reduce variability. It is possible to shift energy demand in time. Energy demand management and the use of smart grids make it possible to match the times when variable energy production is highest. Sector coupling can provide further flexibility. This involves coupling the electricity sector to the heat and mobility sector via power-to-heat-systems and electric vehicles.

Photo with a set of white containers
Battery storage facility

Energy storage helps overcome barriers to intermittent renewable energy. The most commonly used and available storage method is pumped-storage hydroelectricity. This requires locations with large differences in height and access to water. Batteries are also in wide use. They typically store electricity for short periods. Batteries have low energy density. This and their cost makes them impractical for the large energy storage necessary to balance inter-seasonal variations in energy production. Some locations have implemented pumped hydro storage with capacity for multi-month usage.

Nuclear power

Further information: Sustainable energy § Nuclear power, Nuclear power § Carbon emissions, and Nuclear power § Comparison with renewable energy

Nuclear power could complement renewables for electricity. On the other hand, environmental and security risks could outweigh the benefits.

The construction of new nuclear reactors currently takes about 10 years. This is much longer than scaling up the deployment of wind and solar. And this timing gives rise to credit risks. However nuclear may be much cheaper in China. China is building a significant number of new power plants. As of 2019 the cost of extending nuclear power plant lifetimes is competitive with other electricity generation technologies if long term costs for nuclear waste disposal are excluded from the calculation. There is also no sufficient financial insurance for nuclear accidents.

Replacing coal with natural gas

This section is an excerpt from Sustainable energy § Fossil fuel switching and mitigation.

Switching from coal to natural gas has advantages in terms of sustainability. For a given unit of energy produced, the life-cycle greenhouse-gas emissions of natural gas are around 40 times the emissions of wind or nuclear energy but are much less than coal. Burning natural gas produces around half the emissions of coal when used to generate electricity and around two-thirds the emissions of coal when used to produce heat. Natural gas combustion also produces less air pollution than coal. However, natural gas is a potent greenhouse gas in itself, and leaks during extraction and transportation can negate the advantages of switching away from coal. The technology to curb methane leaks is widely available but it is not always used.

Switching from coal to natural gas reduces emissions in the short term and thus contributes to climate change mitigation. However, in the long term it does not provide a path to net-zero emissions. Developing natural gas infrastructure risks carbon lock-in and stranded assets, where new fossil infrastructure either commits to decades of carbon emissions, or has to be written off before it makes a profit.

Demand reduction

Further information: Individual action on climate change

Reducing demand for products and services that cause greenhouse gas emissions can help in mitigating climate change. One is to reduce demand by behavioural and cultural changes, for example by making changes in diet, especially the decision to reduce meat consumption, an effective action individuals take to fight climate change. Another is by reducing the demand by improving infrastructure, by building a good public transport network, for example. Lastly, changes in end-use technology can reduce energy demand. For instance a well-insulated house emits less than a poorly-insulated house.

Mitigation options that reduce demand for products or services help people make personal choices to reduce their carbon footprint. This could be in their choice of transport or food. So these mitigation options have many social aspects that focus on demand reduction; they are therefore demand-side mitigation actions. For example, people with high socio-economic status often cause more greenhouse gas emissions than those from a lower status. If they reduce their emissions and promote green policies, these people could become low-carbon lifestyle role models. However, there are many psychological variables that influence consumers. These include awareness and perceived risk.

Government policies can support or hinder demand-side mitigation options. For example, public policy can promote circular economy concepts which would support climate change mitigation. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is linked to the sharing economy.

There is a debate regarding the correlation of economic growth and emissions. It seems economic growth no longer necessarily means higher emissions.

Energy conservation and efficiency

Main articles: Energy conservation and Efficient energy use

Global primary energy demand exceeded 161,000 terawatt hours (TWh) in 2018. This refers to electricity, transport and heating including all losses. In transport and electricity production, fossil fuel usage has a low efficiency of less than 50%. Large amounts of heat in power plants and in motors of vehicles go to waste. The actual amount of energy consumed is significantly lower at 116,000 TWh.

Energy conservation is the effort made to reduce the consumption of energy by using less of an energy service. One way is to use energy more efficiently. This means using less energy than before to produce the same service. Another way is to reduce the amount of service used. An example of this would be to drive less. Energy conservation is at the top of the sustainable energy hierarchy. When consumers reduce wastage and losses they can conserve energy. The upgrading of technology as well as the improvements to operations and maintenance can result in overall efficiency improvements.

Efficient energy use (or energy efficiency) is the process of reducing the amount of energy required to provide products and services. Improved energy efficiency in buildings ("green buildings"), industrial processes and transportation could reduce the world's energy needs in 2050 by one third. This would help reduce global emissions of greenhouse gases. For example, insulating a building allows it to use less heating and cooling energy to achieve and maintain thermal comfort. Improvements in energy efficiency are generally achieved by adopting a more efficient technology or production process. Another way is to use commonly accepted methods to reduce energy losses.

Lifestyle changes

The emissions of the richest 1% of the global population account for more than twice the combined share of the poorest 50%. Meeting the 1.5°C goal of the 2015 Paris Agreement means that the richest 1% would need to reduce their current emissions by at least a factor of 30, while per capita emissions of the poorest 50% could increase by around three times their current levels.This pie chart illustrates both total emissions for each income group, and emissions per person within each income group. For example, the 10% with the highest incomes are responsible for half of carbon emissions, and its members emit an average of more than five times as much per person as members of the lowest half of the income scale.

Individual action on climate change can include personal choices in many areas. These include diet, travel, household energy use, consumption of goods and services, and family size. People who wish to reduce their carbon footprint can take high-impact actions such as avoiding frequent flying and petrol-fuelled cars, eating mainly a plant-based diet, having fewer children, using clothes and electrical products for longer, and electrifying homes. These approaches are more practical for people in high-income countries with high-consumption lifestyles. Naturally, it is more difficult for those with lower income statuses to make these changes. This is because choices like electric-powered cars may not be available. Excessive consumption is more to blame for climate change than population increase. High-consumption lifestyles have a greater environmental impact, with the richest 10% of people emitting about half the total lifestyle emissions.

Dietary change

Main articles: Low-carbon diet and Plant-based diet

Some scientists say that avoiding meat and dairy foods is the single biggest way an individual can reduce their environmental impact. The widespread adoption of a vegetarian diet could cut food-related greenhouse gas emissions by 63% by 2050. China introduced new dietary guidelines in 2016 which aim to cut meat consumption by 50% and thereby reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1 Gt per year by 2030. Overall, food accounts for the largest share of consumption-based greenhouse gas emissions. It is responsible for nearly 20% of the global carbon footprint. Almost 15% of all anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions have been attributed to the livestock sector.

A shift towards plant-based diets would help to mitigate climate change. In particular, reducing meat consumption would help to reduce methane emissions. If high-income nations switched to a plant-based diet, vast amounts of land used for animal agriculture could be allowed to return to their natural state. This in turn has the potential to sequester 100 billion tonnes of CO2 by the end of the century. A comprehensive analysis found that plant based diets reduce emissions, water pollution and land use significantly (by 75%), while reducing the destruction of wildlife and usage of water.

Environmental footprint of 55,504 UK citizens by diet group (Nat Food 4, 565–574, 2023).

Family size

Further information: Individual action on climate change § Family size
Since 1950, world population has tripled.

Population growth has resulted in higher greenhouse gas emissions in most regions, particularly Africa. However, economic growth has a bigger effect than population growth. Rising incomes, changes in consumption and dietary patterns, as well as population growth, cause pressure on land and other natural resources. This leads to more greenhouse gas emissions and fewer carbon sinks. Some scholars have argued that humane policies to slow population growth should be part of a broad climate response together with policies that end fossil fuel use and encourage sustainable consumption. Advances in female education and reproductive health, especially voluntary family planning, can contribute to reducing population growth.

Preserving and enhancing carbon sinks

About 58% of CO2 emissions have been absorbed by carbon sinks, including plant growth, soil uptake, and ocean uptake (2020 Global Carbon Budget).
Main articles: Carbon dioxide removal, Carbon sequestration, and Carbon sink

An important mitigation measure is "preserving and enhancing carbon sinks". This refers to the management of Earth's natural carbon sinks in a way that preserves or increases their capability to remove CO2 from the atmosphere and to store it durably. Scientists call this process also carbon sequestration. In the context of climate change mitigation, the IPCC defines a sink as "Any process, activity or mechanism which removes a greenhouse gas, an aerosol or a precursor of a greenhouse gas from the atmosphere". Globally, the two most important carbon sinks are vegetation and the ocean.

To enhance the ability of ecosystems to sequester carbon, changes are necessary in agriculture and forestry. Examples are preventing deforestation and restoring natural ecosystems by reforestation. Scenarios that limit global warming to 1.5 °C typically project the large-scale use of carbon dioxide removal methods over the 21st century. There are concerns about over-reliance on these technologies, and their environmental impacts. But ecosystem restoration and reduced conversion are among the mitigation tools that can yield the most emissions reductions before 2030.

Land-based mitigation options are referred to as "AFOLU mitigation options" in the 2022 IPCC report on mitigation. The abbreviation stands for "agriculture, forestry and other land use" The report described the economic mitigation potential from relevant activities around forests and ecosystems as follows: "the conservation, improved management, and restoration of forests and other ecosystems (coastal wetlands, peatlands, savannas and grasslands)". A high mitigation potential is found for reducing deforestation in tropical regions. The economic potential of these activities has been estimated to be 4.2 to 7.4 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (GtCO2 -eq) per year.

Forests

Further information: Carbon sequestration § Forestry, Deforestation and climate change, and Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation

Conservation

Main articles: Deforestation § Control, Desertification § Countermeasures, Proforestation, and Wildfire § Prevention
Transferring land rights to indigenous inhabitants is argued to efficiently conserve forests.

The Stern Review on the economics of climate change stated in 2007 that curbing deforestation was a highly cost-effective way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. About 95% of deforestation occurs in the tropics, where clearing of land for agriculture is one of the main causes. One forest conservation strategy is to transfer rights over land from public ownership to its indigenous inhabitants. Land concessions often go to powerful extractive companies. Conservation strategies that exclude and even evict humans, called fortress conservation, often lead to more exploitation of the land. This is because the native inhabitants turn to work for extractive companies to survive.

Proforestation is promoting forests to capture their full ecological potential. This is a mitigation strategy as secondary forests that have regrown in abandoned farmland are found to have less biodiversity than the original old-growth forests. Original forests store 60% more carbon than these new forests. Strategies include rewilding and establishing wildlife corridors.

Afforestation and reforestation

Afforestation is the establishment of trees where there was previously no tree cover. Scenarios for new plantations covering up to 4000 million hectares (Mha) (6300 x 6300 km) suggest cumulative carbon storage of more than 900 GtC (2300 GtCO2) until 2100. But they are not a viable alternative to aggressive emissions reduction. This is because the plantations would need to be so large they would eliminate most natural ecosystems or reduce food production. One example is the Trillion Tree Campaign. However, preserving biodiversity is also important and for example not all grasslands are suitable for conversion into forests. Grasslands can even turn from carbon sinks to carbon sources.

Helping existing roots and tree stumps regrow even in long deforested areas is argued to be more efficient than planting trees. Lack of legal ownership to trees by locals is the biggest obstacle preventing regrowth.

Reforestation is the restocking of existing depleted forests or in places where there were recently forests. Reforestation could save at least 1 GtCO2 per year, at an estimated cost of $5–15 per tonne of carbon dioxide (tCO2). Restoring all degraded forests all over the world could capture about 205 GtC (750 GtCO2). With increased intensive agriculture and urbanization, there is an increase in the amount of abandoned farmland. By some estimates, for every acre of original old-growth forest cut down, more than 50 acres of new secondary forests are growing. In some countries, promoting regrowth on abandoned farmland could offset years of emissions.

Planting new trees can be expensive and a risky investment. For example, about 80 percent of planted trees in the Sahel die within two years. Reforestation has higher carbon storage potential than afforestation. Even long-deforested areas still contain an "underground forest" of living roots and tree stumps. Helping native species sprout naturally is cheaper than planting new trees and they are more likely to survive. This could include pruning and coppicing to accelerate growth. This also provides woodfuel, which is otherwise a major source of deforestation. Such practices, called farmer-managed natural regeneration, are centuries old but the biggest obstacle towards implementation is ownership of the trees by the state. The state often sells timber rights to businesses which leads to locals uprooting seedlings because they see them as a liability. Legal aid for locals and changes to property law such as in Mali and Niger have led to significant changes. Scientists describe them as the largest positive environmental transformation in Africa. It is possible to discern from space the border between Niger and the more barren land in Nigeria, where the law has not changed.

Soils

Further information: Carbon sequestration § Agriculture, and Carbon farming

There are many measures to increase soil carbon. This makes it complex and hard to measure and account for. One advantage is that there are fewer trade-offs for these measures than for BECCS or afforestation, for example.

Globally, protecting healthy soils and restoring the soil carbon sponge could remove 7.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually. This is more than the annual emissions of the US. Trees capture CO2 while growing above ground and exuding larger amounts of carbon below ground. Trees contribute to the building of a soil carbon sponge. Carbon formed above ground is released as CO2 immediately when wood is burned. If dead wood remains untouched, only some of the carbon returns to the atmosphere as decomposition proceeds.

Farming can deplete soil carbon and render soil incapable of supporting life. However, conservation farming can protect carbon in soils, and repair damage over time. The farming practice of cover crops is a form of carbon farming. Methods that enhance carbon sequestration in soil include no-till farming, residue mulching and crop rotation. Scientists have described the best management practices for European soils to increase soil organic carbon. These are conversion of arable land to grassland, straw incorporation, reduced tillage, straw incorporation combined with reduced tillage, ley cropping system and cover crops.

Another mitigation option is the production of biochar and its storage in soils This is the solid material that remains after the pyrolysis of biomass. Biochar production releases half of the carbon from the biomass—either released into the atmosphere or captured with CCS—and retains the other half in the stable biochar. It can endure in soil for thousands of years. Biochar may increase the soil fertility of acidic soils and increase agricultural productivity. During production of biochar, heat is released which may be used as bioenergy.

Wetlands

Further information: Carbon sequestration § Wetlands, and Wetland § Climate change mitigation

Wetland restoration is an important mitigation measure. It has moderate to great mitigation potential on a limited land area with low trade-offs and costs. Wetlands perform two important functions in relation to climate change. They can sequester carbon, converting carbon dioxide to solid plant material through photosynthesis. They also store and regulate water. Wetlands store about 45 million tonnes of carbon per year globally.

Some wetlands are a significant source of methane emissions. Some also emit nitrous oxide. Peatland globally covers just 3% of the land's surface. But it stores up to 550 gigatonnes (Gt) of carbon. This represents 42% of all soil carbon and exceeds the carbon stored in all other vegetation types, including the world's forests. The threat to peatlands includes draining the areas for agriculture. Another threat is cutting down trees for lumber, as the trees help hold and fix the peatland. Additionally, peat is often sold for compost. It is possible to restore degraded peatlands by blocking drainage channels in the peatland, and allowing natural vegetation to recover.

Mangroves, salt marshes and seagrasses make up the majority of the ocean's vegetated habitats. They only equal 0.05% of the plant biomass on land. But they store carbon 40 times faster than tropical forests. Bottom trawling, dredging for coastal development and fertilizer runoff have damaged coastal habitats. Notably, 85% of oyster reefs globally have been removed in the last two centuries. Oyster reefs clean the water and help other species thrive. This increases biomass in that area. In addition, oyster reefs mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing the force of waves from hurricanes. They also reduce the erosion from rising sea levels. Restoration of coastal wetlands is thought to be more cost-effective than restoration of inland wetlands.

Deep ocean

Further information: Carbon sequestration § Sequestration techniques in oceans, Ocean acidification § Technologies to remove carbon dioxide from the ocean, and Blue carbon

These options focus on the carbon which ocean reservoirs can store. They include ocean fertilization, ocean alkalinity enhancement or enhanced weathering. The IPCC found in 2022 ocean-based mitigation options currently have only limited deployment potential. But it assessed that their future mitigation potential is large. It found that in total, ocean-based methods could remove 1–100 Gt of CO2 per year. Their costs are in the order of US$40–500 per tonne of CO2. Most of these options could also help to reduce ocean acidification. This is the drop in pH value caused by increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations.

Blue carbon management is another type of ocean-based biological carbon dioxide removal (CDR). It can involve land-based as well as ocean-based measures. The term usually refers to the role that tidal marshes, mangroves and seagrasses can play in carbon sequestration. Some of these efforts can also take place in deep ocean waters. This is where the vast majority of ocean carbon is held. These ecosystems can contribute to climate change mitigation and also to ecosystem-based adaptation. Conversely, when blue carbon ecosystems are degraded or lost they release carbon back to the atmosphere. There is increasing interest in developing blue carbon potential. Scientists have found that in some cases these types of ecosystems remove far more carbon per area than terrestrial forests. However, the long-term effectiveness of blue carbon as a carbon dioxide removal solution remains under discussion.

Enhanced weathering

Main article: Enhanced weathering

Enhanced weathering could remove 2–4 Gt of CO2 per year. This process aims to accelerate natural weathering by spreading finely ground silicate rock, such as basalt, onto surfaces. This speeds up chemical reactions between rocks, water, and air. It removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, permanently storing it in solid carbonate minerals or ocean alkalinity. Cost estimates are in the US$50–200 per tonne range of CO2.

Other methods to capture and store CO2

Main articles: Direct air capture, Carbon capture and storage, and Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage
Schematic showing both terrestrial and geological sequestration of carbon dioxide emissions from a large point source, for example burning natural gas

In addition to traditional land-based methods to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air, other technologies are under development. These could reduce CO2 emissions and lower existing atmospheric CO2 levels. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a method to mitigate climate change by capturing CO2 from large point sources, such as cement factories or biomass power plants. It then stores it away safely instead of releasing it into the atmosphere. The IPCC estimates that the costs of halting global warming would double without CCS.

Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) expands on the potential of CCS and aims to lower atmospheric CO2 levels. This process uses biomass grown for bioenergy. The biomass yields energy in useful forms such as electricity, heat, biofuels, etc. through consumption of the biomass via combustion, fermentation, or pyrolysis. The process captures the CO2 that was extracted from the atmosphere when it grew. It then stores it underground or via land application as biochar. This effectively removes it from the atmosphere. This makes BECCS a negative emissions technology (NET).

Scientists estimated the potential range of negative emissions from BECCS in 2018 as 0–22 Gt per year. As of 2022, BECCS was capturing approximately 2 million tonnes per year of CO2 annually. The cost and availability of biomass limits wide deployment of BECCS. BECCS currently forms a big part of achieving climate targets beyond 2050 in modelling, such as by the Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) associated with the IPCC process. But many scientists are sceptical due to the risk of loss of biodiversity.

Direct air capture is a process of capturing CO2 directly from the ambient air. This is in contrast to CCS which captures carbon from point sources. It generates a concentrated stream of CO2 for sequestration, utilization or production of carbon-neutral fuel and windgas. Artificial processes vary, and there are concerns about the long-term effects of some of these processes.

Mitigation by sector

See also: Greenhouse gas emissions § Emissions by sector Taking into account direct and indirect emissions, industry is the sector with the highest share of global emissions.2016 global greenhouse gas emissions by sector. Percentages are calculated from estimated global emissions of all Kyoto Greenhouse Gases, converted to CO2 equivalent quantities (GtCO2e).

Buildings

Further information: Energy-efficient buildings, Sustainable architecture, Green building, and Low-energy house

The building sector accounts for 23% of global energy-related CO2 emissions. About half of the energy is used for space and water heating. Building insulation can reduce the primary energy demand significantly. Heat pump loads may also provide a flexible resource that can participate in demand response to integrate variable renewable resources into the grid. Solar water heating uses thermal energy directly. Sufficiency measures include moving to smaller houses when the needs of households change, mixed use of spaces and the collective use of devices. Planners and civil engineers can construct new buildings using passive solar building design, low-energy building, or zero-energy building techniques. In addition, it is possible to design buildings that are more energy-efficient to cool by using lighter-coloured, more reflective materials in the development of urban areas.

Heat pumps efficiently heat buildings, and cool them by air conditioning. A modern heat pump typically transports around three to five times more thermal energy than electrical energy consumed. The amount depends on the coefficient of performance and the outside temperature.

Refrigeration and air conditioning account for about 10% of global CO2 emissions caused by fossil fuel-based energy production and the use of fluorinated gases. Alternative cooling systems, such as passive cooling building design and passive daytime radiative cooling surfaces, can reduce air conditioning use. Suburbs and cities in hot and arid climates can significantly reduce energy consumption from cooling with daytime radiative cooling.

Energy consumption for cooling is likely to rise significantly due to increasing heat and availability of devices in poorer countries. Of the 2.8 billion people living in the hottest parts of the world, only 8% currently have air conditioners, compared with 90% of people in the US and Japan. Adoption of air conditioners typically increases in warmer areas at above $10,000 annual household income. By combining energy efficiency improvements and decarbonising electricity for air conditioning with the transition away from super-polluting refrigerants, the world could avoid cumulative greenhouse gas emissions of up to 210–460 GtCO2-eq over the next four decades. A shift to renewable energy in the cooling sector comes with two advantages: Solar energy production with mid-day peaks corresponds with the load required for cooling and additionally, cooling has a large potential for load management in the electric grid.

Urban planning

Main article: Climate change and cities
Bicycles have almost no carbon footprint.

Cities emitted 28 GtCO2-eq in 2020 of combined CO2 and CH4 emissions. This was from producing and consuming goods and services. Climate-smart urban planning aims to reduce sprawl to reduce the distance travelled. This lowers emissions from transportation. Switching from cars by improving walkability and cycling infrastructure is beneficial to a country's economy as a whole.

Urban forestry, lakes and other blue and green infrastructure can reduce emissions directly and indirectly by reducing energy demand for cooling. Methane emissions from municipal solid waste can be reduced by segregation, composting, and recycling.

Transport

Main articles: Sustainable transport and Phase-out of fossil fuel vehicles
Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) indicate a trend away from gas-powered vehicles that generate greenhouse gases.

Transportation accounts for 15% of emissions worldwide. Increasing the use of public transport, low-carbon freight transport and cycling are important components of transport decarbonisation.

Electric vehicles and environmentally friendly rail help to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. In most cases, electric trains are more efficient than air transport and truck transport. Other efficiency means include improved public transport, smart mobility, carsharing and electric hybrids. Fossil-fuel for passenger cars can be included in emissions trading. Furthermore, moving away from a car-dominated transport system towards low-carbon advanced public transport system is important.

Heavyweight, large personal vehicles (such as cars) require a lot of energy to move and take up much urban space. Several alternatives modes of transport are available to replace these. The European Union has made smart mobility part of its European Green Deal. In smart cities, smart mobility is also important.

Battery electric bus in Montreal

The World Bank is helping lower income countries buy electric buses. Their purchase price is higher than diesel buses. But lower running costs and health improvements due to cleaner air can offset this higher price.

Between one quarter and three quarters of cars on the road by 2050 are forecast to be electric vehicles. Hydrogen may be a solution for long-distance heavy freight trucks, if batteries alone are too heavy.

Shipping

Further information: Environmental effects of shipping § Greenhouse gas emissions

In the shipping industry, the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine bunker fuel is driven by emissions regulations. Ship operators must switch from heavy fuel oil to more expensive oil-based fuels, implement costly flue gas treatment technologies or switch to LNG engines. Methane slip, when gas leaks unburned through the engine, lowers the advantages of LNG. Maersk, the world's biggest container shipping line and vessel operator, warns of stranded assets when investing in transitional fuels like LNG. The company lists green ammonia as one of the preferred fuel types of the future. It has announced the first carbon-neutral vessel on the water by 2023, running on carbon-neutral methanol. Cruise operators are trialling partially hydrogen-powered ships.

Hybrid and all electric ferries are suitable for short distances. Norway's goal is an all electric fleet by 2025.

Air transport

Further information: environmental impact of aviation
Between 1940 and 2018, aviation CO2 emissions grew from 0.7% to 2.65% of all CO2 emissions.

Jet airliners contribute to climate change by emitting carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, contrails and particulates. Their radiative forcing is estimated at 1.3–1.4 that of CO2 alone, excluding induced cirrus cloud. In 2018, global commercial operations generated 2.4% of all CO2 emissions.

The aviation industry has become more fuel efficient. But overall emissions have risen as the volume of air travel has increased. By 2020, aviation emissions were 70% higher than in 2005 and they could grow by 300% by 2050.

It is possible to reduce aviation's environmental footprint by better fuel economy in aircraft. Optimising flight routes to lower non-CO2 effects on climate from nitrogen oxides, particulates or contrails can also help. Aviation biofuel, carbon emission trading and carbon offsetting, part of the 191 nation ICAO's Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), can lower CO2 emissions. Short-haul flight bans, train connections, personal choices and taxation on flights can lead to fewer flights. Hybrid electric aircraft and electric aircraft or hydrogen-powered aircraft may replace fossil fuel-powered aircraft.

Experts expect emissions from aviation to rise in most projections, at least until 2040. They currently amount to 180 Mt of CO2 or 11% of transport emissions. Aviation biofuel and hydrogen can only cover a small proportion of flights in the coming years. Experts expect hybrid-driven aircraft to start commercial regional scheduled flights after 2030. Battery-powered aircraft are likely to enter the market after 2035. Under CORSIA, flight operators can purchase carbon offsets to cover their emissions above 2019 levels. CORSIA will be compulsory from 2027.

Agriculture, forestry and land use

Greenhouse gas emissions across the supply chain for different foods, showing which type of food should be encouraged and which discouraged from a mitigation perspective
See also: Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, Environmental impact of meat production, and Sustainable agriculture

Almost 20% of greenhouse gas emissions come from the agriculture and forestry sector. To significantly reduce these emissions, annual investments in the agriculture sector need to increase to $260 billion by 2030. The potential benefits from these investments are estimated at about $4.3 trillion by 2030, offering a substantial economic return of 16-to-1.

Mitigation measures in the food system can be divided into four categories. These are demand-side changes, ecosystem protections, mitigation on farms, and mitigation in supply chains. On the demand side, limiting food waste is an effective way to reduce food emissions. Changes to a diet less reliant on animal products such as plant-based diets are also effective.

With 21% of global methane emissions, cattle are a major driver of global warming. When rainforests are cut and the land is converted for grazing, the impact is even higher. In Brazil, producing 1 kg of beef can result in the emission of up to 335 kg CO2-eq. Other livestock, manure management and rice cultivation also emit greenhouse gases, in addition to fossil fuel combustion in agriculture.

Important mitigation options for reducing the greenhouse gas emissions from livestock include genetic selection, introduction of methanotrophic bacteria into the rumen, vaccines, feeds, diet modification and grazing management. Other options are diet changes towards ruminant-free alternatives, such as milk substitutes and meat analogues. Non-ruminant livestock, such as poultry, emit far fewer GHGs.

It is possible to cut methane emissions in rice cultivation by improved water management, combining dry seeding and one drawdown, or executing a sequence of wetting and drying. This results in emission reductions of up to 90% compared to full flooding and even increased yields.

Industry

Global carbon dioxide emissions by country in 2023:

  China (31.8%)  United States (14.4%)  European Union (4.9%)  India (9.5%)  Russia (5.8%)  Japan (3.5%)  Other (30.1%)

Industry is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases when direct and indirect emissions are included. Electrification can reduce emissions from industry. Green hydrogen can play a major role in energy-intensive industries for which electricity is not an option. Further mitigation options involve the steel and cement industry, which can switch to a less polluting production process. Products can be made with less material to reduce emission-intensity and industrial processes can be made more efficient. Finally, circular economy measures reduce the need for new materials. This also saves on emissions that would have been released from the mining of collecting of those materials.

The decarbonisation of cement production requires new technologies, and therefore investment in innovation. Bioconcrete is one possibility to reduce emissions. But no technology for mitigation is yet mature. So CCS will be necessary at least in the short-term.

Another sector with a significant carbon footprint is the steel sector, which is responsible for about 7% of global emissions. Emissions can be reduced by using electric arc furnaces to melt and recycle scrap steel. To produce virgin steel without emissions, blast furnaces could be replaced by hydrogen direct reduced iron and electric arc furnaces. Alternatively, carbon capture and storage solutions can be used.

Coal, gas and oil production often come with significant methane leakage. In the early 2020s some governments recognized the scale of the problem and introduced regulations. Methane leaks at oil and gas wells and processing plants are cost-effective to fix in countries which can easily trade gas internationally. There are leaks in countries where gas is cheap; such as Iran, Russia, and Turkmenistan. Nearly all this can be stopped by replacing old components and preventing routine flaring. Coalbed methane may continue leaking even after the mine has been closed. But it can be captured by drainage and/or ventilation systems. Fossil fuel firms do not always have financial incentives to tackle methane leakage.

Co-benefits

Co-benefits of climate change mitigation, also often referred to as ancillary benefits, were firstly dominated in the scientific literature by studies that describe how lower GHG emissions lead to better air quality and consequently impact human health positively. The scope of co-benefits research expanded to its economic, social, ecological and political implications.

Positive secondary effects that occur from climate mitigation and adaptation measures have been mentioned in research since the 1990s. The IPCC first mentioned the role of co-benefits in 2001, followed by its fourth and fifth assessment cycle stressing improved working environment, reduced waste, health benefits and reduced capital expenditures. In the early 2000s the OECD was further fostering its efforts in promoting ancillary benefits.

The IPCC pointed out in 2007: "Co-benefits of GHG mitigation can be an important decision criteria in analyses carried out by policy-makers, but they are often neglected" and added that the co-benefits are "not quantified, monetised or even identified by businesses and decision-makers". Appropriate consideration of co-benefits can greatly "influence policy decisions concerning the timing and level of mitigation action", and there can be "significant advantages to the national economy and technical innovation".

An analysis of climate action in the UK found that public health benefits are a major component of the total benefits derived from climate action.

Employment and economic development

See also: Renewable energy § Market and industry trends

Co-benefits can positively impact employment, industrial development, states' energy independence and energy self-consumption. The deployment of renewable energies can foster job opportunities. Depending on the country and deployment scenario, replacing coal power plants with renewable energy can more than double the number of jobs per average MW capacity. Investments in renewable energies, especially in solar- and wind energy, can boost the value of production. Countries which rely on energy imports can enhance their energy independence and ensure supply security by deploying renewables. National energy generation from renewables lowers the demand for fossil fuel imports which scales up annual economic saving.

The European Commission forecasts a shortage of 180,000 skilled workers in hydrogen production and 66,000 in solar photovoltaic power by 2030.

Energy security

A higher share of renewables can additionally lead to more energy security. Socioeconomic co-benefits have been analysed such as energy access in rural areas and improved rural livelihoods. Rural areas which are not fully electrified can benefit from the deployment of renewable energies. Solar-powered mini-grids can remain economically viable, cost-competitive and reduce the number of power cuts. Energy reliability has additional social implications: stable electricity improves the quality of education.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) spelled out the "multiple benefits approach" of energy efficiency while the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) operationalised the list of co-benefits of the renewable energy sector.

Health and well-being

Further information: Effects of climate change on human health § Benefits from climate change mitigation and adaptation See also: Health and environmental impact of the coal industry and Health and environmental impact of the petroleum industry

The health benefits from climate change mitigation are significant. Potential measures can not only mitigate future health impacts from climate change but also improve health directly. Climate change mitigation is interconnected with various health co-benefits, such as those from reduced air pollution. Air pollution generated by fossil fuel combustion is both a major driver of global warming and the cause of a large number of annual deaths. Some estimates are as high as 8.7 million excess deaths during 2018. A 2023 study estimated that fossil fuels kill over 5 million people each year, as of 2019, by causing diseases such as heart attack, stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Particulate air pollution kills by far the most, followed by ground-level ozone.

Mitigation policies can also promote healthier diets such as less red meat, more active lifestyles, and increased exposure to green urban spaces. Access to urban green spaces provides benefits to mental health as well. The increased use of green and blue infrastructure can reduce the urban heat island effect. This reduces heat stress on people.

Climate change adaptation

Further information: Climate change adaptation § Co-benefits with mitigation

Some mitigation measures have co-benefits in the area of climate change adaptation. This is for example the case for many nature-based solutions. Examples in the urban context include urban green and blue infrastructure which provide mitigation as well as adaptation benefits. This can be in the form of urban forests and street trees, green roofs and walls, urban agriculture and so forth. The mitigation is achieved through the conservation and expansion of carbon sinks and reduced energy use of buildings. Adaptation benefits come for example through reduced heat stress and flooding risk.

Carbon taxes and emission trading worldwide
Emission trading and carbon taxes around the world (2019)   Carbon emission trading implemented or scheduled   Carbon tax implemented or scheduled   Carbon emission trading or carbon tax under consideration

Negative side effects

Mitigation measures can also have negative side effects and risks. In agriculture and forestry, mitigation measures can affect biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. In renewable energy, mining for metals and minerals can increase threats to conservation areas. 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.

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.

Costs and funding

Main articles: Economics of climate change mitigation § Assessing costs and benefits, and Economic analysis of climate change

Several factors affect mitigation cost estimates. One is the baseline. This is a reference scenario that the alternative mitigation scenario is compared with. Others are the way costs are modelled, and assumptions about future government policy. Cost estimates for mitigation for specific regions depend on the quantity of emissions allowed for that region in future, as well as the timing of interventions.

Mitigation costs will vary according to how and when emissions are cut. Early, well-planned action will minimize the costs. Globally, the benefits of keeping warming under 2 °C exceed the costs, which according to The Economist are affordable.

Economists estimate the cost of climate change mitigation at between 1% and 2% of GDP. While this is a large sum, it is still far less than the subsidies governments provide to the ailing fossil fuel industry. The International Monetary Fund estimated this at more than $5 trillion per year.

Another estimate says that financial flows for climate mitigation and adaptation are going to be over $800 billion per year. These financial requirements are predicted to exceed $4 trillion per year by 2030.

Globally, limiting warming to 2 °C may result in higher economic benefits than economic costs. The economic repercussions of mitigation vary widely across regions and households, depending on policy design and level of international cooperation. Delayed global cooperation increases policy costs across regions, especially in those that are relatively carbon intensive at present. Pathways with uniform carbon values show higher mitigation costs in more carbon-intensive regions, in fossil-fuels exporting regions and in poorer regions. Aggregate quantifications expressed in GDP or monetary terms undervalue the economic effects on households in poorer countries. The actual effects on welfare and well-being are comparatively larger.

Cost–benefit analysis may be unsuitable for analysing climate change mitigation as a whole. But it is still useful for analysing the difference between a 1.5 °C target and 2 °C. One way of estimating the cost of reducing emissions is by considering the likely costs of potential technological and output changes. Policymakers can compare the marginal abatement costs of different methods to assess the cost and amount of possible abatement over time. The marginal abatement costs of the various measures will differ by country, by sector, and over time.

Eco-tariffs on only imports contribute to reduced global export competitiveness and to deindustrialization.

Avoided costs of climate change effects

See also: Economic impacts of climate change

It is possible to avoid some of the costs of the effects of climate change by limiting climate change. According to the Stern Review, inaction can be as high as the equivalent of losing at least 5% of global gross domestic product (GDP) each year, now and forever. This can be up to 20% of GDP or more when including a wider range of risks and impacts. But mitigating climate change will only cost about 2% of GDP. Also it may not be a good idea from a financial perspective to delay significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Mitigation solutions are often evaluated in terms of costs and greenhouse gas reduction potentials. This fails to take into account the direct effects on human well-being.

Distributing emissions abatement costs

Mitigation at the speed and scale required to limit warming to 2 °C or below implies deep economic and structural changes. These raise multiple types of distributional concerns across regions, income classes and sectors.

There have been different proposals on how to allocate responsibility for cutting emissions. These include egalitarianism, basic needs according to a minimum level of consumption, proportionality and the polluter-pays principle. A specific proposal is "equal per capita entitlements". This approach has two categories. In the first category, emissions are allocated according to national population. In the second category, emissions are allocated in a way that attempts to account for historical or cumulative emissions.

Funding

Main articles: Climate finance and Economics of climate change mitigation § Finance

In order to reconcile economic development with mitigating carbon emissions, developing countries need particular support. This would be both financial and technical. The IPCC found that accelerated support would also tackle inequities in financial and economic vulnerability to climate change. One way to achieve this is the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

Policies

National policies

Although China is the leading producer of CO2 emissions in the world with the U.S. second, per capita the U.S. leads China by a fair margin (data from 2017).

Climate change mitigation policies can have a large and complex impact on the socio-economic status of individuals and countries This can be both positive and negative. It is important to design policies well and make them inclusive. Otherwise climate change mitigation measures can impose higher financial costs on poor households.

An evaluation was conducted on 1,500 climate policy interventions made between 1998 and 2022. The interventions took place in 41 countries and across 6 continents, which together contributed 81% of the world's total emissions as of 2019. The evaluation found 63 successful interventions that resulted in significant emission reductions; the total CO2 release averted by these interventions was between 0.6 and 1.8 billion metric tonnes. The study focused on interventions with at least 4.5% emission reductions, but the researchers noted that meeting the reductions required by the Paris Agreement would require 23 billion metric tonnes per year. Generally, carbon pricing was found to be most effective in developed countries, while regulation was most effective in the developing countries. Complementary policy mixes benefited from synergies, and were mostly found to be more effective interventions than the implementation of isolated policies.

The OECD recognise 48 distinct climate mitigation policies suitable for implementation at national level. Broadly, these can be categorised into three types: market based instruments, non market based instruments and other policies.

  • Other policies include the Establishing an Independent climate advisory body.
  • Non market based policies include the Implementing or tighening of Regulatory standards. These set technology or performance standards. They can be effective in addressing the market failure of informational barriers.
  • Among market based policies, the carbon price has been found to be the most effective (at least for developed economies), and has its own section below. Additional market based policy instruments for climate change mitigation include:

Emissions taxes These often require domestic emitters to pay a fixed fee or tax for every tonne of CO2 emissions they release into the atmosphere. Methane emissions from fossil fuel extraction are also occasionally taxed. But methane and nitrous oxide from agriculture are typically not subject to tax.
Removing unhelpful subsidies: Many countries provide subsidies for activities that affect emissions. For example, significant fossil fuel subsidies are present in many countries. Phasing-out fossil fuel subsidies is crucial to address the climate crisis. It must however be done carefully to avoid protests and making poor people poorer.
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.
Tradable permits: A permit system can limit emissions.

Carbon pricing

Main article: Carbon price
Carbon emission trade – allowance prices from 2008

Imposing additional costs on greenhouse gas emissions can make fossil fuels less competitive and accelerate investments into low-carbon sources of energy. A growing number of countries raise a fixed carbon tax or participate in dynamic carbon emission trading (ETS) systems. In 2021, more than 21% of global greenhouse gas emissions were covered by a carbon price. This was a big increase from earlier due to the introduction of the Chinese national carbon trading scheme.

Trading schemes offer the possibility to limit emission allowances to certain reduction targets. However, an oversupply of allowances keeps most ETS at low price levels around $10 with a low impact. This includes the Chinese ETS which started with $7/tCO2 in 2021. One exception is the European Union Emission Trading Scheme where prices began to rise in 2018. They reached about €80/tCO2 in 2022. This results in additional costs of about €0.04/KWh for coal and €0.02/KWh for gas combustion for electricity, depending on the emission intensity. Industries which have high energy requirements and high emissions often pay only very low energy taxes, or even none at all.

While this is often part of national schemes, carbon offsets and credits can be part of a voluntary market as well such as on the international market. Notably, the company Blue Carbon of the UAE has bought ownership over an area equivalent to the United Kingdom to be preserved in return for carbon credits.

International agreements

Main article: Politics of climate change See also: Climate change § Policies and politics, and Climate change mitigation framework

Almost all countries are parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The ultimate objective of the UNFCCC is to stabilize atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases at a level that would prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system.

Although not designed for this purpose, the Montreal Protocol has benefited climate change mitigation efforts. The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty that has successfully reduced emissions of ozone-depleting substances such as CFCs. These are also greenhouse gases.

Paris Agreement

Signatories (yellow) and parties (blue) to the Paris Agreement
This section is an excerpt from Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement (also called the Paris Accords or Paris Climate Accords) is an international treaty on climate change that was signed in 2016. The treaty covers climate change mitigation, adaptation, and finance. The Paris Agreement was negotiated by 196 parties at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference near Paris, France. As of February 2023, 195 members of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are parties to the agreement. Of the three UNFCCC member states which have not ratified the agreement, the only major emitter is Iran. The United States withdrew from the agreement in 2020, but rejoined in 2021.

History

See also: Climate change mitigation framework, History of climate change policy and politics, Kyoto Protocol § Chronology, and Paris Agreement § Development

Historically efforts to deal with climate change have taken place at a multinational level. They involve attempts to reach a consensus decision at the United Nations, under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This is the dominant approach historically of engaging as many international governments as possible in taking action on a worldwide public issue. The Montreal Protocol in 1987 is a precedent that this approach can work. But some critics say the top-down framework of only utilizing the UNFCCC consensus approach is ineffective. They put forward counter-proposals of bottom-up governance. At this same time this would lessen the emphasis on the UNFCCC.

The Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC adopted in 1997 set out legally binding emission reduction commitments for the "Annex 1" countries. The Protocol defined three international policy instruments ("Flexibility Mechanisms") which could be used by the Annex 1 countries to meet their emission reduction commitments. According to Bashmakov, use of these instruments could significantly reduce the costs for Annex 1 countries in meeting their emission reduction commitments.

The Paris Agreement reached in 2015 succeeded the Kyoto Protocol which expired in 2020. Countries that ratified the Kyoto protocol committed to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases, or engage in carbon emissions trading if they maintain or increase emissions of these gases.

In 2015, the UNFCCC's "structured expert dialogue" came to the conclusion that, "in some regions and vulnerable ecosystems, high risks are projected even for warming above 1.5 °C". Together with the strong diplomatic voice of the poorest countries and the island nations in the Pacific, this expert finding was the driving force leading to the decision of the 2015 Paris Climate Conference to lay down this 1.5 °C long-term target on top of the existing 2 °C goal.

Society and culture

Commitments to divest

More firms plan to invest in climate change mitigation, specifically focusing on low-carbon sectors.

More than 1000 organizations with investments worth US$8 trillion have made commitments to fossil fuel divestment. Socially responsible investing funds allow investors to invest in funds that meet high environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) standards.

Barriers

See also: Politics of climate change, Climate change denial, Media coverage of climate change, Public opinion on climate change, and Sustainability § Barriers
A typology of discourses aimed at delaying climate change mitigation
Distribution of committed CO2 emissions from developed fossil fuel reserves

There are individual, institutional and market barriers to achieving climate change mitigation. They differ for all the different mitigation options, regions and societies.

Difficulties with accounting for carbon dioxide removal can act as economic barriers. This would apply to BECCS (bioenergy with carbon capture and storage). The strategies that companies follow can act as a barrier. But they can also accelerate decarbonisation.

In order to decarbonise societies the state needs to play a predominant role. This is because it requires a massive coordination effort. This strong government role can only work well if there is social cohesion, political stability and trust.

For land-based mitigation options, finance is a major barrier. Other barriers are cultural values, governance, accountability and institutional capacity.

Developing countries face further barriers to mitigation.

  • The cost of capital increased in the early 2020s. A lack of available capital and finance is common in developing countries. Together with the absence of regulatory standards, this barrier supports the proliferation of inefficient equipment.
  • There are also financial and capacity barrier in many of these countries.

One study estimates that only 0.12% of all funding for climate-related research goes on the social science of climate change mitigation. Vastly more funding goes on natural science studies of climate change. Considerable sums also go on studies of the impact of climate change and adaptation to it.

Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic

Main article: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the environment § Climate change

The COVID-19 pandemic led some governments to shift their focus away from climate action, at least temporarily. This obstacle to environmental policy efforts may have contributed to slowed investment in green energy technologies. The economic slowdown resulting from COVID-19 added to this effect.

In 2020, carbon dioxide emissions fell by 6.4% or 2.3 billion tonnes globally. Greenhouse gas emissions rebounded later in the pandemic as many countries began lifting restrictions. The direct impact of pandemic policies had a negligible long-term impact on climate change.

Examples by country

Greenhouse gas emissions per person in the highest-emitting countries. Though China has the greatest total annual carbon dioxide emissions, the U.S. and a few other high-emitting countries exceed China in per capita emissions.Richer (developed) countries emit more CO2 per person than poorer (developing) countries. Emissions are roughly proportional to GDP per person, though the rate of increase diminishes with average GDP/pp of about $10,000.

United States

Main article: Climate change in the United States This section is an excerpt from Greenhouse gas emissions by the United States § Federal Policies.

The United States government has held shifting attitudes toward addressing greenhouse gas emissions. The George W. Bush administration opted not to sign the Kyoto Protocol, but the Obama administration entered the Paris Agreement. The Trump administration withdrew from the Paris Agreement while increasing the export of crude oil and gas, making the United States the largest producer.

In 2021, the Biden administration committed to reducing emissions to half of 2005 levels by 2030. In 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, which is estimated to provide around $375 billion over 10 years to fight climate change. As of 2022 the social cost of carbon is 51 dollars a tonne whereas academics say it should be more than three times higher.

China

Main articles: Greenhouse gas emissions by China, Climate change in China, and Debate over China's economic responsibilities for climate change mitigation

China has committed to peak emissions by 2030 and reach net zero by 2060. Warming cannot be limited to 1.5 °C if any coal plants in China (without carbon capture) operate after 2045. The Chinese national carbon trading scheme started in 2021.

European Union

The European Commission estimates that an additional €477 million in annual investment is needed for the European Union to meet its Fit-for-55 decarbonization goals.

In the European Union, government-driven policies and the European Green Deal have helped position greentech (as an example) as a vital area for venture capital investment. By 2023, venture capital in the EU's greentech sector equaled that of the United States, reflecting a concerted effort to drive innovation and mitigate climate change through targeted financial support. The European Green Deal has fostered policies that contributed to a 30% rise in venture capital for greentech companies in the EU from 2021 to 2023, despite a downturn in other sectors during the same period.

While overall venture capital investment in the EU remains about six times lower than in the United States, the greentech sector has closed this gap significantly, attracting substantial funding. Key areas benefitting from increased investments are energy storage, circular economy initiatives, and agricultural technology. This is supported by the EU's ambitious goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030.

Related approaches

Relationship with solar radiation modification (SRM)

While solar radiation modification (SRM) could reduce surface temperatures, it temporarily masks climate change rather than addressing the root cause, which is greenhouse gases. SRM would work by altering how much solar radiation the Earth absorbs. Examples include reducing the amount of sunlight reaching the surface, reducing the optical thickness and lifetime of clouds, and changing the ability of the surface to reflect radiation. The IPCC describes SRM as a climate risk reduction strategy or supplementary option rather than a climate mitigation option.

The terminology in this area is still evolving. Experts sometimes use the term geoengineering or climate engineering in the scientific literature for both CDR or SRM, if the techniques are used at a global scale. IPCC reports no longer use the terms geoengineering or climate engineering.

See also

References

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