Climate change mitigation facts for kids

Climate change mitigation means taking action to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. These gases cause climate change. It's like trying to stop a bathtub from overflowing by turning down the tap.

Some main ways to do this include saving energy and switching from fossil fuels (like coal and oil) to clean energy sources. We can also change how we use land and remove carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the air.

Right now, our efforts aren't enough. Scientists say we are still headed for about 2.7°C of warming by 2100. This is much higher than the 2015 Paris Agreement goal. That goal was to keep warming below 2°C, or even better, 1.5°C.

Solar energy and wind power are often the cheapest ways to replace fossil fuels. But sunshine and wind can change, so we need ways to store energy. We also need better electrical grids to move power around. Using Energy storage helps keep power steady. Also, managing when we use electricity can help when less power is being made.

Clean electricity can power cars, heat buildings, and run factories. Some things are harder to make carbon-free, like air travel and making cement. For these, Carbon capture and storage (CCS) can help. CCS captures CO₂ before it goes into the air.

How humans use land, like farming and cutting down forests, causes about a quarter of climate change. These actions affect how much CO₂ plants absorb. They also change how much CO₂ is released when plants decay or burn. Methane is another gas that comes from decaying plants and farm animals. It also comes from getting fossil fuels out of the ground.

Governments can use different rules to encourage climate action. They can put a carbon price on CO₂ emissions. This means companies pay for the pollution they create. Governments can also stop giving money to fossil fuel companies. Instead, they can support clean energy.

What is Climate Change Mitigation?

Climate change mitigation aims to protect our ecosystems and human life. This means we must greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says mitigation is "a human action to reduce emissions or increase the ways we remove greenhouse gases."

There are many ways to limit global warming. We can work on several at the same time. These include:

• Using Sustainable energy and sustainable transport.
• Saving energy and using it more wisely.
• Making Sustainable agriculture and green industrial policy better.
• Improving carbon sinks and removing CO₂ from the air.

How Many Emissions Are There?

Human activities release greenhouse gases. These gases make the greenhouse effect stronger, which causes climate change. Most of these gases are carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas.

Since the time before factories were common, human-caused CO₂ in the air has gone up by about 50%. In the 2010s, we released a record 56 billion tons of greenhouse gases each year. In 2016, making electricity, heating, and transport caused 73.2% of these emissions.

The biggest single source of greenhouse gases is coal-fired power stations. They cause 20% of all emissions. Cutting down forests and other land use changes also release CO₂ and methane. Farm animals are the biggest source of methane from agriculture.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the main greenhouse gas we release. Methane (CH
4) has a big impact in the short term. Nitrous oxide (N₂O) and fluorinated gases (F-Gases) play a smaller role.

Scientists use satellites more and more to find and measure greenhouse gas emissions. Before, they mostly used estimates or government reports.

How Much Do We Need to Cut?

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) said in 2022 that we need to cut emissions by almost half. To limit global warming to 1.5°C, global emissions must drop by 45% by 2030. They need to keep falling fast after that.

In 2022, the IPCC warned that greenhouse gas emissions must peak by 2025 at the latest. They then need to drop by 43% by 2030. This gives us a good chance of limiting warming to 1.5°C. The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, said: "Main emitters must drastically cut emissions starting this year."

What Countries Have Promised

Countries make promises, called pledges, to cut emissions. The Climate Action Tracker group looked at countries that cause 85% of greenhouse gas emissions. In 2021, they found that only four places had a detailed plan to meet their 2030 goals. These were the EU, UK, Chile, and Costa Rica. They cause 6% of global emissions.

In 2021, the US and EU started the Global Methane Pledge. This aims to cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030. Many other countries have joined this effort.

Clean Energy

Our energy system, which includes how we make and use energy, is the biggest source of carbon dioxide. We need to quickly and deeply cut these emissions to keep global warming below 2°C. The IPCC suggests using less fossil fuel. They also recommend making more energy from clean sources. And we should use more electricity and other clean energy types.

Almost all plans to fight climate change involve a big increase in renewable energy. They also include using energy more efficiently. We need to speed up how fast we use renewable energy.

Renewable energy is becoming cheaper. In 2020, wind and solar were the cheapest ways to make new electricity in many places. A carbon price can make renewable energy even more competitive.

Solar and Wind Power

Wind and sun can provide lots of clean energy at good prices. The IPCC says these two options have the biggest potential to cut emissions cheaply by 2030.

Solar photovoltaics (PV) is now the cheapest way to make electricity in many parts of the world. Solar power has grown very fast, almost doubling every three years since the 1990s. Another type is concentrated solar power (CSP). This uses mirrors to focus sunlight. CSP can store energy for a few hours, providing power in the evening.

Wind power works best in higher northern and southern areas. Offshore wind farms cost more but produce more energy. Wind power is usually higher in winter when solar power is low. So, combining wind and solar makes a more balanced energy system.

Other Renewable Energy Sources

Other common renewable energy forms are hydropower, bioenergy, and geothermal energy.

• Hydroelectricity uses water power to make electricity. It is very important in countries like Brazil and Norway. But there are limits to where it can be used.
• Bioenergy can provide energy for electricity, heat, and transport. Burning plant material releases CO₂, but the plants absorb CO₂ as they grow.
• Geothermal power uses heat from inside the Earth to make electricity. It is used in 26 countries. Geothermal heating is used in 70 countries.

Making Variable Renewables Work

Wind and solar power don't always produce electricity when we need it most. To get reliable electricity from these sources, our power systems need to be flexible. Most power grids were built for steady energy sources like coal plants. Adding more solar and wind means changing the energy system. This is needed to make sure supply matches demand.

There are ways to make the electricity system more flexible. Wind and solar often work well together. For example, there is more wind at night and in winter when solar energy is low. Connecting different areas with long-distance power lines also helps reduce changes in supply. We can also shift when we use energy. Using Energy demand management and smart grids helps match energy use to when power is being made.

Energy storage helps with renewable energy that isn't always on. The most common storage is pumped-storage hydroelectricity. This needs places with big height differences and water. Batteries are also widely used. They usually store electricity for short times.

Nuclear Power

Nuclear power can help make electricity without carbon. However, there are environmental and safety risks. For example, radioactive water can be released into ecosystems. Also, building new nuclear reactors takes about 10 years. This is much longer than building wind or solar farms.

Using Less Energy

Reducing our need for products and services that cause greenhouse gas emissions helps fight climate change. We can do this by changing our habits. For example, eating less meat is a good way to reduce our carbon footprint. We can also improve our cities by building good public transport. This means people drive less.

Another way is to use better technology. A house with good insulation uses less energy for heating and cooling. People with higher incomes often cause more greenhouse gas emissions. If they reduce their emissions, they can be good examples for others.

Governments can help by promoting circular economy ideas. This means reusing and recycling things more. Reducing emissions is also linked to the sharing economy.

Saving Energy and Being Efficient

Energy conservation means using less energy. One way is to use energy more efficiently. This means getting the same job done with less energy. Another way is to simply use less of an energy service, like driving less. Saving energy is a top priority for a sustainable energy system.

Efficient energy use means reducing the energy needed for products and services. Making buildings more energy-efficient can cut the world's energy needs by one-third by 2050. For example, insulating a building helps it stay warm in winter and cool in summer with less energy.

Lifestyle Changes

Our personal choices can make a difference. These include what we eat, how we travel, how much energy we use at home, and what we buy. People can reduce their carbon footprint by avoiding frequent flying and gas cars. They can also eat a plant-based diet, use clothes and electronics longer, and make their homes electric.

These changes are easier for people in rich countries. People with lower incomes might not have choices like electric cars. Too much consumption causes more climate change than population growth. The richest 10% of people cause about half of all lifestyle emissions.

Changing Our Diet

Some scientists say that avoiding meat and dairy is the biggest way to reduce our environmental impact. If everyone became vegetarian, food-related greenhouse gas emissions could drop by 63% by 2050. China introduced new diet rules in 2016 to cut meat eating by 50%. This could reduce emissions by 1 billion tons per year by 2030.

Food causes the largest share of our carbon footprint, nearly 20%. Almost 15% of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions come from raising livestock.

Switching to plant-based diets helps fight climate change. Reducing meat eating would especially cut methane emissions. If rich countries switched to plant-based diets, huge amounts of land used for animals could return to nature. This could store 100 billion tons of CO₂ by the end of the century.

Protecting and Improving Carbon Sinks

An important way to fight climate change is to protect and improve carbon sinks. These are natural systems that remove CO₂ from the atmosphere and store it. Scientists call this carbon sequestration. The two most important carbon sinks are plants and the ocean.

To help ecosystems store more carbon, we need to change farming and forestry. This includes stopping deforestation and restoring natural areas by reforestation. Plans to limit warming to 1.5°C usually involve using large-scale carbon dioxide removal methods.

Forests

Protecting Forests

Stopping deforestation is a very cheap way to cut greenhouse gas emissions. About 95% of deforestation happens in tropical areas. Clearing land for farming is a main reason. One way to protect forests is to give land rights to the people who live there.

Proforestation means helping forests grow to their full natural potential. This is a good way to fight climate change. Older, natural forests store 60% more carbon than new forests.

Planting Trees and Preventing Deserts

Afforestation means planting trees where there were no trees before. Reforestation means replanting trees in areas that were recently forests or where forests have been cut down. Reforestation could save at least 1 billion tons of CO₂ per year.

Planting new trees can be expensive and risky. For example, about 80% of trees planted in the Sahel region die within two years. Helping native trees grow back naturally is cheaper and more likely to work. This can include trimming and cutting trees to help them grow faster.

Rangelands cover more than half the world's land. They could store 35% of the carbon on land. People who move their herds across these lands, called pastoralists, help keep the ecosystem healthy. But governments are making it harder for them to move freely. This can lead to too much grazing and desertification.

Soils

There are many ways to increase carbon in soil. One benefit is that these methods have fewer downsides than other options. Protecting healthy soils and restoring their ability to hold carbon could remove 7.6 billion tons of CO₂ from the air each year. This is more than the US's yearly emissions.

Farming can remove carbon from soil. But conservation farming can protect carbon in soils and repair damage. Methods that help soil store carbon include no-till farming and crop rotation.

Another option is making biochar and storing it in soils. Biochar is a solid material left after heating plant matter without oxygen. It can stay in soil for thousands of years. Biochar can make soil healthier and help plants grow better.

Wetlands

Restoring wetlands is an important way to fight climate change. Wetlands can store carbon by turning CO₂ into plant material through photosynthesis. They also store and control water. Wetlands store about 45 million tons of carbon globally each year.

Peatlands cover only 3% of the Earth's land. But they store up to 550 billion tons of carbon. This is more than all other plants, including forests. Peatlands are threatened by draining for farming and cutting down trees. We can restore damaged peatlands by blocking drainage channels.

Mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses are important ocean habitats. They store carbon 40 times faster than tropical forests. These coastal areas have been damaged by fishing, building, and pollution. Restoring coastal wetlands is often cheaper than restoring inland wetlands.

Deep Ocean

These options focus on how much carbon the ocean can store. They include adding nutrients to the ocean or making it less acidic. The IPCC found in 2022 that ocean-based methods have limited use now. But they could have a big impact in the future. They could remove 1–100 billion tons of CO₂ per year.

Bringing back whale populations can also help. Whales help recycle nutrients in the ocean. Their waste helps tiny ocean plants called Phytoplankton grow. These plants are the base of the ocean food chain and absorb CO₂.

"Blue carbon management" is another way to remove CO₂ using the ocean. This usually refers to the role of tidal marshes, mangroves, and seagrasses in storing carbon. These ecosystems can help fight climate change and also help us adapt to it.

Enhanced Weathering

Enhanced weathering could remove 2–4 billion tons of CO₂ per year. This method speeds up natural weathering by spreading finely ground rock, like basalt, on surfaces. This helps rocks, water, and air react faster. It removes CO₂ from the air and stores it permanently in solid minerals or the ocean.

Other Ways to Capture and Store CO₂

New technologies are being developed to reduce CO₂ emissions and lower existing levels in the air. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) captures CO₂ from big sources like cement factories. It then stores it safely underground instead of releasing it. The IPCC thinks that stopping global warming would cost twice as much without CCS.

One promising method is biochar soil amendment. It is already being used. Studies show that the carbon in biochar stays stable in soils for hundreds of years. This means it can remove billions of tons of CO₂ per year.

Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) aims to lower CO₂ levels even more. This process uses plants grown for energy. When these plants are used for energy, the CO₂ they absorbed while growing is captured. It is then stored underground or as biochar. This effectively removes CO₂ from the atmosphere.

Scientists estimated that BECCS could remove 0–22 billion tons of CO₂ per year. As of 2022, BECCS was capturing about 2 million tons of CO₂ annually. The cost and availability of plants limit how much BECCS can be used.

Direct air capture is a process that captures CO₂ directly from the air around us. This is different from CCS, which captures carbon from specific sources like factory smokestacks. It creates a concentrated stream of CO₂ for storage or use.

How Different Areas Can Help

Buildings

The building sector causes 23% of global CO₂ emissions from energy. About half of this energy is used for heating and cooling. Building insulation can greatly reduce energy use. Heat pumps can efficiently heat and cool buildings. They can also help balance the energy grid.

Refrigeration and air conditioning cause about 10% of global CO₂ emissions. This is from the energy used and from certain gases. Using passive cooling designs can reduce the need for air conditioning.

Energy use for cooling will likely rise a lot. This is because of increasing heat and more devices in poorer countries. By making air conditioning more efficient and using clean electricity, we could avoid huge amounts of greenhouse gas emissions.

City Planning

Cities released 28 billion tons of CO₂ and methane in 2020. This was from making and using goods and services. Smart urban planning aims to reduce how much cities spread out. This cuts down on travel distances and emissions from transport. Switching from cars to walking and biking helps the economy.

City forests, lakes, and other green areas can reduce emissions. They do this by lowering the energy needed for cooling. Methane emissions from city waste can be cut by sorting, composting, and recycling.

Transport

Transport causes 15% of global emissions. Using more public transport, low-carbon freight, and cycling are key to making transport cleaner.

Electric vehicles and eco-friendly trains help reduce fossil fuel use. Electric trains are usually more efficient than planes and trucks. Other ways to be efficient include better public transport and carsharing.

Heavy, large personal vehicles use a lot of energy and space. Many other ways to travel are available. The European Union is making smart mobility a key part of its plan.

The World Bank helps poorer countries buy electric buses. They cost more to buy than diesel buses. But they have lower running costs and improve health with cleaner air.

Experts expect that between a quarter and three-quarters of cars will be electric by 2050. Hydrogen might be used for long-distance heavy trucks if batteries are too heavy.

Shipping

In shipping, using liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel is growing because of emission rules. Ship operators must switch from heavy fuel oil. They can also use costly systems to clean exhaust gases or switch to LNG engines.

Some companies are trying out ships powered partly by hydrogen. Hybrid and all-electric ferries work well for short distances. Norway aims for an all-electric ferry fleet by 2025.

Air Travel

Jet planes add to climate change by releasing carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and other particles. In 2018, global commercial flights caused 2.4% of all CO₂ emissions.

The aviation industry has become more fuel-efficient. But overall emissions have risen because more people are flying. By 2020, aviation emissions were 70% higher than in 2005. They could grow by 300% by 2050.

We can reduce aviation's environmental impact by making planes more fuel-efficient. Optimizing flight paths can also help. Aviation biofuel and carbon emission trading can lower CO₂ emissions. Taking fewer flights, using trains, and taxing flights can also help.

Experts expect aviation emissions to rise until at least 2040. Aviation biofuel and hydrogen can only cover a small part of flights in the coming years.

Farming, Forests, and Land Use

Almost 20% of greenhouse gas emissions come from farming and forestry. To greatly reduce these emissions, we need to invest $260 billion more each year in farming by 2030. The benefits from these investments could be $4.3 trillion by 2030.

Ways to reduce emissions from food include:

• Reducing food waste.
• Changing to a diet with fewer animal products, like plant-based diets.

Cattle are a big cause of global warming, causing 21% of global methane emissions. When rainforests are cut down for grazing, the impact is even higher. Making 1 kg of beef in Brazil can release as much as 335 kg of CO₂.

Other farm animals, how we handle manure, and growing rice also release greenhouse gases. Ways to cut methane from farm animals include better breeding, special feeds, and changing their diets.

We can cut methane emissions from rice farming by managing water better. This can reduce emissions by up to 90% and even increase harvests. Using less nitrogen fertilizers can also avoid nitrous oxide emissions.

Industry

Industry is the biggest source of greenhouse gases when all emissions are counted. Using electricity more in industry can cut emissions. Green hydrogen can play a big role in industries that use a lot of energy and can't easily switch to electricity.

Other ways to reduce emissions include:

• Making steel and cement with less polluting methods.
• Using less material to make products.
• Making industrial processes more efficient.
• Using circular economy ideas to reduce the need for new materials.

Making cement without carbon needs new technologies and investment. So, CCS will be needed at least for a while.

The steel industry also has a big carbon footprint, causing about 7% of global emissions. Emissions can be cut by using electric arc furnaces to recycle scrap steel. For new steel, blast furnaces could be replaced by hydrogen methods. Or, carbon capture and storage can be used.

Coal, gas, and oil production often have big methane leaks. Some governments are now making rules to fix this. Methane leaks at oil and gas sites are often cheap to fix.

Benefits of Climate Action

Taking action on climate change has many good side effects, also called "co-benefits." These include better air quality, which leads to healthier people. Research on co-benefits has grown to include economic, social, and political impacts.

The IPCC said in 2007 that co-benefits are important for decision-makers. But they are often ignored. Considering co-benefits can greatly affect when and how much action we take. It can also bring big advantages to a country's economy and new ideas.

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

Jobs and Economic Growth

Co-benefits can help create jobs and grow industries. They can also make countries more energy independent. Using renewable energy can create more jobs. Replacing coal power plants with renewables can more than double the number of jobs.

Investing in renewables, especially solar and wind, can boost economic value. Countries that import energy can become more secure by using more renewables. This also saves money that would have been spent on fossil fuel imports.

The European Commission expects a shortage of 180,000 skilled workers in hydrogen production by 2030. They also expect a shortage of 66,000 in solar power.

Energy Security

More renewable energy can also lead to more energy security. This means a more reliable energy supply. Renewables can help bring energy to rural areas that don't have full electricity. Solar-powered mini-grids can be affordable and reduce power cuts. Reliable electricity also improves education.

Health and Well-being

The health benefits from fighting climate change are big. Actions can not only prevent future health problems from climate change but also improve health right away. Climate action is linked to better health from reduced air pollution. Air pollution from burning fossil fuels causes many deaths each year.

Climate policies can also encourage healthier diets, more active lifestyles, and more green spaces in cities. Access to green spaces helps mental health. More green and blue areas in cities can reduce the urban heat island effect. This lowers heat stress on people.

Adapting to Climate Change

Some climate actions also help us adapt to climate change. This is true for many nature-based solutions. For example, green areas in cities, like urban forests and green roofs, help fight climate change. They do this by storing carbon and reducing energy use in buildings. They also help us adapt by reducing heat stress and flood risk.

Negative Side Effects

Climate actions can also have negative side effects and risks. In farming and forestry, actions might affect plants and animals. In renewable energy, mining for metals can threaten natural areas. There is research on recycling solar panels and electronic waste. This would create materials without needing to mine them.

Sometimes, talking about the risks of climate actions can make people feel stuck. They might think there are too many barriers to taking action.

Costs and Funding

Many things affect how much climate action costs. These include what we compare it to and how we guess future government rules. The costs of action for specific areas depend on how many emissions are allowed and when actions are taken.

Early, well-planned action will cost less. Overall, the benefits of keeping warming under 2°C are greater than the costs. Economists estimate the cost of climate action at 1% to 2% of GDP. This is a lot, but it's less than the money governments give to fossil fuel companies.

Another estimate says that money for climate action will be over $800 billion per year. These needs are expected to go over $4 trillion per year by 2030.

Globally, limiting warming to 2°C may bring more economic benefits than costs. The economic effects of climate action will vary greatly. This depends on the rules and how much countries work together.

Avoiding Costs of Climate Change

We can avoid some costs of effects of climate change by limiting climate change. One report said that doing nothing could cost as much as losing 5% of global GDP each year, forever. This could be up to 20% of GDP or more when including more risks. But fighting climate change will only cost about 2% of GDP.

Sharing the Costs

Cutting emissions as fast as needed means big economic and structural changes. This raises questions about how to share the costs fairly. This includes across regions, income groups, and industries.

There have been different ideas on how to share the responsibility for cutting emissions. These include equal shares for everyone or making polluters pay. One idea is "equal per person rights" to emissions.

Funding

To help developing countries grow while cutting carbon, they need special support. This includes money and technical help. The IPCC found that more support would also help with unfairness in how vulnerable countries are to climate change.

Policies

Climate change policies can have a big and complex impact on people and countries. This can be both good and bad. It is important to design policies well and make them fair. Otherwise, climate actions can cost poor families more.

A study looked at 1,500 climate policies from 1998 to 2022. These policies were in 41 countries that caused 81% of the world's emissions. The study found 63 successful actions that greatly cut emissions. Carbon pricing worked best in rich countries. Rules worked best in developing countries.

The OECD lists 48 different climate policies for countries. These can be grouped into three types: market-based, non-market-based, and other policies.

• Other policies include setting up an independent climate advisory group.
• Non-market-based policies include setting or tightening rules. These set standards for technology or performance.
• Market-based policies include:
  • Carbon price: This is often the most effective, especially for rich countries.
  • Emissions taxes: Companies pay a fixed fee for every ton of CO₂ they release.
  • Removing unhelpful subsidies: Many countries give money to activities that cause emissions, like fossil fuel subsidies. Stopping these is key to fighting climate change. But it must be done carefully to avoid hurting poor people.
  • Creating helpful subsidies: Giving money and incentives for clean energy.
  • Tradable permits: A permit system can limit emissions.

Carbon Pricing

Adding costs to greenhouse gas emissions can make fossil fuels less competitive. This speeds up investment in low-carbon energy. More countries are using a fixed carbon tax or carbon emission trading (ETS) systems. In 2021, over 21% of global greenhouse gas emissions were covered by a carbon price.

Trading systems can limit emission permits to meet reduction goals. However, too many permits keep most ETS prices low. An exception is the European Union Emission Trading Scheme. Prices there started to rise in 2018. They reached about €80 per ton of CO₂ in 2022.

International Agreements

International cooperation is very important for climate action. Conflicts usually make it harder. Almost all countries are part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Its goal is to stabilize greenhouse gas levels to prevent dangerous human impact on the climate.

The Montreal Protocol in 1987 helped climate action. It successfully reduced emissions of ozone-depleting substances. These are also greenhouse gases.

Paris Agreement

The Paris Agreement was reached in 2015. It replaced the Kyoto Protocol, which ended in 2020. Countries that joined the Kyoto Protocol promised to cut their emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Or they could trade emission permits if they kept or increased emissions.

In 2015, experts said that even with warming above 1.5°C, there would be high risks in some areas. This finding, along with strong voices from the poorest countries, led to the Paris Climate Conference decision. They added the 1.5°C long-term goal to the existing 2°C goal.

Challenges

There are challenges for individuals, organizations, and markets in fighting climate change. These challenges are different for each action, region, and society.

Difficulties in counting carbon removal can be an economic challenge. This applies to BECCS (bioenergy with carbon capture and storage). The way companies operate can also be a challenge or help speed up decarbonization.

To make societies carbon-free, governments need to play a big role. This needs a lot of coordination. This strong government role only works well with social unity, political stability, and trust.

For land-based climate actions, money is a major challenge. Other challenges include cultural values, how things are governed, and how well organizations can do their job.

Developing countries face more challenges.

• The cost of money increased in the early 2020s. Many developing countries lack money and resources. This, along with a lack of rules, leads to more inefficient equipment.
• They also have financial and training challenges.

One study found that only a tiny part of climate research funding goes to the social science of climate action. Much more money goes to natural science studies of climate change.

Society and Culture

Promises to Divest

More than 1,000 organizations have promised to stop investing in fossil fuel divestment. These investments are worth $8 trillion. Funds that invest responsibly allow people to invest in companies that meet high environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic made some governments temporarily shift their focus away from climate action. This may have slowed investment in green energy. The economic slowdown from COVID-19 added to this effect.

In 2020, carbon dioxide emissions fell by 6.4% globally. But greenhouse gas emissions went back up later in the pandemic. This happened as many countries lifted restrictions. The pandemic policies had little long-term effect on climate change.

Examples by Country

United States

The United States has policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

China

China has promised to reach peak emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2060. Warming cannot be limited to 1.5°C if any coal plants in China (without carbon capture) are still running after 2045. China's national carbon trading system started in 2021.

European Union

The European Commission estimates that the European Union needs an extra €477 million in yearly investment. This is to meet its Fit-for-55 decarbonization goals.

In the European Union, government policies and the European Green Deal have made green technology a key area for investment. By 2023, investment in green technology in the EU was equal to that in the United States. This shows a strong effort to drive new ideas and fight climate change with targeted money.

The European Green Deal has led to policies that helped increase investment in green technology companies in the EU by 30% from 2021 to 2023. This happened even when other areas saw a decrease. Key areas getting more money are energy storage, circular economy projects, and farming technology. This supports the EU's big goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030.

Related Approaches

Solar Radiation Modification (SRM)

Solar radiation modification (SRM) could lower surface temperatures. But it only temporarily hides climate change. It does not fix the main problem, which is greenhouse gases. SRM would work by changing how much sunlight the Earth absorbs. Examples include reducing sunlight reaching the surface or changing how much the surface reflects light. The IPCC sees SRM as a way to reduce climate risk or a backup option. It is not a climate mitigation option.

Scientists sometimes use the term geoengineering for both carbon dioxide removal and SRM. This is when the techniques are used on a global scale. IPCC reports no longer use the terms geoengineering or climate engineering.

See also

In Spanish: Mitigación del cambio climático para niños

• Carbon budget
• Carbon offsets and credits
• Carbon price
• Climate movement
• Climate change denial
• Tipping points in the climate system