Climate change mitigation is the action of reducing or preventing greenhouse gas emissions, in order to limit global warming. This includes implementing renewable energy, promoting green construction and adopting regenerative agricultural practices.

Taking measures to protect and restore ecosystems is also critical as they are effective carbon sinks, absorbing and sequestering carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. These efforts can also help to reduce the impacts of climate change and improve resilience.

Adaptation

Adaptation is a means of mitigating climate change by helping communities and ecosystems cope with the impacts of rising temperatures, severe weather events, ocean acidification, droughts and floods. It can also help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and increase resilience to future climate impacts.

UNDP supports countries to mitigate climate change by guiding them towards sustainable, low-emission development pathways. UNDP’s approach to mitigation includes addressing equity by recognizing the unequal historical responsibility for climate change impacts, and calling on high-income countries to take a lead role in contributing to climate finance, carbon dioxide removal and climate justice.

Solutions that both reduce emissions and build resilience are referred to as “mitigation and adaptation”. Research shows that many climate actions—such as expanding mass transit systems in cities to withstand climate impacts like heat waves or urban flooding, and using wood rather than concrete to construct building foundations—will deliver both adaptation and mitigation benefits. Other examples include converting livestock farming to silvopasture, which integrates trees or shrubs with crops and pastures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Mitigation

The goal of mitigation is to reduce our risk from harmful climate impacts. It encompasses preventative measures across sectors, from land-use planning to pollution controls. Energy-related mitigation efforts are key: Transitioning to renewable energy sources like wind and solar slashes emissions from power generation, and promoting more efficient building practices, transportation, and industrial processes cuts fuel consumption. Nature-based solutions are also crucial: protecting existing forests reduces carbon releases, and reforestation and afforestation actively draw carbon out of the air.

While mitigation and adaptation are usually seen as two distinct approaches to environmental challenges, they often overlap. For instance, UNDP projects like the Comoros solar minigrids address both mitigation and resilience by reducing greenhouse gas emissions while boosting access to reliable electricity. Mitigation is also an essential element of disaster risk reduction, reducing the impact of hazards like wildfires and floods through actions like building flood barriers or establishing firebreaks.

Tribal governments

Tribal governments provide essential services like regulating business operations, delivering culturally appropriate healthcare and stewarding tribal lands. They also support economic development through initiatives that promote sustainable growth and encourage Indigenous entrepreneurship.

Each federally recognized tribe is a sovereign nation with its own laws and constitutions. Like city, state or county governments, they have executive (a governor, president or chief), legislative and judicial branches.

While many Native American nations have long-held grievances with US government entities, working closely with these agencies is a way to maintain sovereignty and boost outcomes in important areas such as Indigenous health and education. An online Master of Tribal Administration and Governance program can help leaders leverage complex agency-based relationships to empower their communities.

Local governments

Local governments are the level of government closest to citizens, which makes them an important channel for climate change mitigation. They have the power to set laws based on community priorities. They also prioritize land use and mobility planning that reduces emissions. They can also implement Green City Labs to help residents make low-carbon choices, and they can use international climate finance resources to promote community forest management programmes.

In federal systems, they are supervised by higher levels of government but operate as independent jurisdictions and active participants in intergovernmental arrangements. They regularly seek additional funding, lobby for statutory interpretations and waivers of standards, and propose policies that advance local interests.

In exchange for their authority to levy taxes, citizens expect that local officials will conduct themselves fairly and efficiently. This is why they are a key link in a democracy, and why citizens entrust local officials with significant powers to improve their quality of life.