Climate change mitigation refers to actions we can take to lower greenhouse gas emissions and transition towards renewable energy sources, while simultaneously combatting infectious disease outbreaks and protecting biodiversity.
UNDP is working towards pricing carbon pollution and speeding the switch towards cleaner energies across countries worldwide, in an attempt to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees C.
Mitigation
Climate mitigation can provide protection for people and the environment alike from its adverse effects, including sea-level rise, lessened impacts from extreme weather events, and access to sustainable energy solutions.
Climate change mitigation efforts rely on decreasing production and emission of greenhouse gases that cause global warming, such as fossil fuel use. Emissions can be decreased through switching to renewable energy or increasing carbon sinks such as forests.
Scientists estimate that as global average temperatures continue to increase, Earth could experience devastating repercussions, including coral reef loss of 70% or greater and summers without Arctic sea ice every 100 years as well as diminishing water supplies.
UNDP’s GEF mitigation projects assist developing countries in fulfilling their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and transitioning toward low-carbon and climate-resilient development pathways. These projects cover key areas like policy, regulatory approaches, finance, capacity building and innovation – and align with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Adaptation
As we all understand, climate change mitigation involves both reducing greenhouse gas emissions and expanding carbon sinks (such as forests). Everyone plays their part, from individuals committing to adopt sustainable lifestyle habits through to governments implementing regulations, providing incentives, and encouraging investments.
At present, one of the greatest needs is to reduce global warming trends and limit temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius if we want to limit impactful scenarios while keeping a livable climate.
Even as we work to reduce emissions quickly, climate change has already had devastating effects on people and nature alike. Warmer temperatures increase storm intensity and frequency as well as floods and wildfires. Warming also causes sea levels to rise displacing millions of people living in low-lying areas while also destabilising marine food chains; melting Arctic ice sheets causing their food chains to collapse destabilizing marine food chains while terrestrial ecosystems experience warmer temperatures which cause insect extinctions or damage vegetation.
Local Governments
Local governments provide citizens with essential services like water and sewer, parks, fire protection, roads, transportation and street cleaning, social welfare and education programs. Furthermore, they enforce zoning codes, building codes and smoking regulations.
Though local governments are overseen and controlled by higher-level governmental institutions, in the Anglo-American system of self-government they enjoy significant autonomy in practice. This means they are permitted to acquire and utilize external funding for local initiatives; experiment with new functions and services; initiate programs across states or nations; participate in decision making about issues impacting their communities, etc.
Climate change mitigation requires creating flood defenses, adapting to heat waves, prioritizing energy-efficiency in construction, and introducing green transport solutions; improving urban water management; supporting low-carbon rural development projects, and exploring innovative forms of community forestry as part of REDD+ framework – among many other strategies.
Resources
The global economy’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels – and the various vested interests who depend on them for survival – represents one of the greatest barriers to climate change mitigation. Tackling this dependence requires taking an all-of-society approach with structural transformations as part of an overarching solution.
Investment in renewable energy, sustainable agricultural practices and restoring forests and critical ecosystems are integral parts of mitigating climate change. Not only can these actions strengthen resilience but they may also offer co-benefits such as water filtration, stormwater absorption and an increase in biodiversity.
One can contribute to lowering their carbon footprint in numerous ways. Consider switching to energy efficient appliances, heating and cooling systems, and electric vehicles; purchasing energy from renewable sources like wind and solar; recycling waste effectively to limit waste; supporting community efforts that preserve natural areas while adapting them to climate change;