Climate change mitigation includes reducing heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions and stabilizing carbon levels in Earth’s atmosphere, as well as restoring forests and wetlands for wildlife habitat improvement.
NASA provides climate data to the world, but does not set climate policy or suggest specific solutions. That responsibility rests with 195 global parties who signed onto the Paris Agreement.
Reducing Short-Lived Climate Pollutants
Reducing short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) is an effective climate change mitigation strategy with immediate and substantial benefits for human health and the environment. Emissions caused by inefficient fuel combustion, agricultural practices and waste management contribute significantly. Since they have shorter atmospheric lifetimes than CO2, quick reduction can make a meaningful difference over time.
Reaching the global trajectory set forth in the Paris Agreement’s 1.5 degree Celsius limit requires taking all possible steps to reduce climate forcing emissions, including those related to SLCPs, and limit self-amplifying climate feedbacks that lead to irreversible warming. Achieve this reduction and you could help preserve our Earth.
UNDP assists countries in the Arctic in implementing policies designed to decrease SLCPs and low-long-lived greenhouse gases (LLGHGs) by providing technical expertise, research, knowledge dissemination, financial mobilization and mobilization support. This work contributes to sustainable low carbon climate resilient development while meeting Sustainable Development Goals; such support includes policy/legal frameworks/technology transfer/pilot projects focused on climate change mitigation in the Arctic region.
Adapting to a Changing Climate
Adapting to climate change involves making adjustments that account for expected or actual effects of our shifting climate, such as sea-level rise, more extreme weather events or food insecurity, as well as taking advantage of any positive opportunities brought about by a warmer environment (such as longer growing seasons or higher agricultural yields).
Governments at all levels are making strides toward better incorporating adaptation into their development plans, whether this means setting National Adaptation Plans or building infrastructure that can withstand more intense disasters, improving early warning systems or providing access to climate risk information, protecting wildlife habitats from adverse changes, etc.
Private sector organizations also play an essential role, from companies pledging to reduce emissions to individuals opting for products with reduced carbon output. Mitigation often provides financial advantages and should encourage profit-maximizing companies to become involved. Many already have.
Transitioning to a Low Carbon Economy
Low carbon economies aim to decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through responsible resource usage and switching to renewable energy sources, as well as encouraging businesses to implement efficiency measures and other environmentally-friendly practices.
Transitioning to a low carbon economy provides businesses with several opportunities for growth and competitive edge, including cost reduction (through energy efficiency improvements and reliance reduction on fossil fuels), regulatory compliance (carbon pricing, emissions caps, environmental standards), new market access opportunities, enhanced brand value/reputation as well as protection against price volatility or supply chain disruptions.
Transitioning to a low carbon economy requires advanced tools for measuring and managing emissions, from measuring greenhouse gas footprints to designing personalized decarbonization plans. Advantech’s WISE-IoT iEMS provides businesses with a complete smart energy solution encompassing GHG inventory management, data analytics, HVAC and compressed air efficiency as well as motor efficiency – helping businesses set science-based targets aligned with climate goals while mitigating financial risk such as “stranding”.1 This also reduces their exposure to financial risk as it reduces exposure related to existing fossil fuel assets that may become worthless due to possible “stranding”.1
Reducing Overall Consumption
Fighting climate change requires making substantial shifts to how societies produce and consume energy, including using renewable sources of power and electrifying sections of the economy. Furthermore, energy consumption needs to decrease whenever possible – this learning resource will examine strategies for doing just that by choosing energy-saving appliances or driving less miles.
As part of sustainable living, it is also important to choose a diet rich in plant foods and avoid meat products which require more energy for production. Furthermore, living a zero waste lifestyle and purchasing secondhand goods are both excellent ways of supporting businesses that ensure their products can be as sustainable as possible with options such as reselling, repair or rental options available.
An increased commitment to reduced consumption goes beyond individual frugality and embraces degrowth principles that advocate for planned and selective reduction of the economy in wealthy nations in order to stay within global boundaries and avoid Absolute Decoupling, where economic expansion exceeds ecological carrying capacities. This represents an important step toward Absolute Decoupling that ensures our economic expansion does not surpass ecological carrying capacities.