Climate change mitigation requires either decreasing heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions, or expanding carbon sinks that absorb them from the atmosphere, or both, as well as taking adaptive measures.
Restoring or conserving forests, wetlands and other natural areas not only sequesters carbon, but can also improve water quality, wildlife habitat and resilience to wildfire and flooding events.
Biological carbon sequestration
Photosynthesis, as the Earth’s natural way of sequestering carbon from its atmosphere, has long been used by life to control atmospheric CO2 levels. This non-anthropogenic process has been taking place for billions of years without human interference.
Plants and other photosynthetic organisms absorb and store carbon in their leaves, stems, roots, and wood for future release into the environment as part of the complex organic carbon pool. When these organisms die off, their stored carbon enters soil as part of an even greater source of organic matter.
Human interventions such as afforestation and deforestation prevention can increase biological carbon sequestration rates and longevity; however, quantifying this process remains challenging due to ecosystem diversity and soil complexity. Further, many mechanisms reliant on climate conditions for their functioning – which in turn influence growth or decomposition processes – remain sensitive to climate events or land-use changes and can reverse themselves unexpectedly.
Carbon reuse
Companies are exploring carbon reuse technology as a means to turn greenhouse gases into valuable products and cut costs, with particular application in industrial operations where a significant share of emissions come from fuel usage. Their goal is to lower net CO2 atmospheric concentrations while also creating a circular economy.
Quasar Energy Group in the US has developed anaerobic digesters that produce biogas from manure and food waste, while their molten carbonate electrolysis process transforms CO2 into carbon nanotubes and oxygen; this could eliminate costly feedstocks like petroleum.
Climate mitigation efforts should extend beyond simply reducing greenhouse gas emissions; they should also include supporting economic development in countries and communities most vulnerable to climate impacts in order to help them adapt and build resilience against future changes.
Carbon storage
Carbon storage is an approach for keeping fossil fuel emissions out of the atmosphere for extended periods. It involves collecting CO2 from power plants and other industrial sites before transporting and permanently storing it underground in geological formations.
Compressed CO2 is transported through thick steel pipelines or ships and stored underground at an impenetrable geologic formation where impermeable layers of rock seal above it and keep its content secure.
Storage sites for long-term carbon dioxide storage include saline aquifers and depleted oil or gas reservoirs deep underground. There are countless projects worldwide in various stages of development to demonstrate long-term storage as viable option.
Energy efficiency
Energy efficiency is one of the most cost-effective strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This approach involves using less energy to perform tasks that previously required more, eliminating waste, improving existing infrastructure performance and saving costs on both a household and economy level – all while decreasing dependence on fossil fuels.
The COP28 outcome statement established a global goal to double energy efficiency improvements, acknowledging its central role as “the first fuel.” This measure is key towards realizing zero-emissions energy systems.
Other climate change mitigation measures include increasing renewable energy production, supporting regenerative agriculture practices and expanding forest ecosystems as carbon sinks. Effective mitigation requires taking an interdisciplinary approach with structural transformations and international cooperation – with wealthy nations acknowledging their historical responsibility for climate change impacts in order to equitably mitigate. Climate justice also remains key.
Adaptation
Adaptation reduces our vulnerability to climate change-induced consequences such as sea-level rise, extreme weather events, food insecurity or habitat loss. It includes early warning systems, resilient infrastructure investments and investments in renewable energy.
Governments and citizens are taking action at a local level to address climate change. Examples include urban planning for heat waves and floods, green infrastructure development, recycling waste products responsibly, as well as cultivating climate-resilient crops – all helping mitigate its effects.
Restoring forests and wetlands not only capture carbon emissions but also enhance native plant communities and wildlife habitat while providing flood protection services. A WRI study revealed that 57% of adaptation projects for sustainable agriculture and forest management expected to yield mitigation benefits; their value should be factored into project designs in order to drive finance towards climate-smart development solutions.