The concept of mitigation and its key approaches

Mitigation refers to actions taken to reduce or stabilise greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to remove these gases from the atmosphere.

Core approaches to mitigation

• Reducing energy consumption - Cutting down on the overall use of energy through efficiency measures and lifestyle changes to lower GHG emissions.
• Alternative energy sources - Shifting from fossil fuels to renewable options like wind, solar, and hydropower to decrease reliance on carbon-intensive energy.
• Geo-engineering solutions - Implementing large-scale interventions to alter natural processes, such as reflecting sunlight or enhancing carbon absorption, to counteract climate change effects.

Carbon capture and storage techniques

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a technology aimed at preventing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from entering the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned. This approach seeks to mitigate the long-term presence of CO₂ in the atmosphere, where it can linger for decades or even centuries.

Methods of carbon capture and storage

• Site-specific capture - CO₂ is captured directly at the source, such as power plants, and then stored underground in geological formations to prevent atmospheric release.
• Direct air capture - CO₂ is allowed to enter the atmosphere but is later extracted using specialised processes designed to remove it from the air.

Challenges in CCS implementation

• Limited research - There is insufficient study on the technological feasibility of large-scale CCS, making its widespread adoption uncertain.
• Economic barriers - The high costs associated with developing and deploying CCS technology pose significant hurdles.
• Geological uncertainties - Questions remain about the long-term stability and safety of storing CO₂ in underground deposits.

Economic strategies like carbon taxes and trading

Economic mechanisms are designed to incentivise reductions in CO₂ emissions by making fossil fuel use more expensive or by creating markets for emission rights. These strategies aim to shift behaviours towards low-carbon alternatives.

Carbon taxes

Carbon taxes are levied on the carbon content of fuels to make producers and consumers accountable for the social costs of CO₂ emissions, which are often borne by society and future generations. By increasing the cost of coal, oil, and gas, carbon taxes encourage a transition to renewables like solar and wind, which become more competitive in comparison. The tax reflects the broader damages caused by emissions, aiming to internalise these external costs into the price of fossil fuels.

Carbon trading systems

Carbon trading involves governments issuing permits for CO₂ emissions, which can be traded in a market. This creates a financial incentive for industries to reduce emissions. In Europe, the Emissions Trading System (ETS) regulates carbon permits, where industries exceeding their emission limits must purchase additional permits from those with surplus allowances. This system encourages companies to innovate and cut emissions to avoid the cost of buying extra permits or to profit from selling unused ones.

Carbon offset schemes

Carbon offset schemes allow individuals or companies to compensate for their CO₂ emissions by funding projects that reduce emissions elsewhere, such as reforestation or renewable energy initiatives. Some experts argue that offsets may discourage necessary behavioural changes, as they can create a false sense of environmental responsibility without addressing the root cause of emissions.

Geo-engineering and ocean fertilisation methods

Geo-engineering involves large-scale interventions to manipulate natural processes in order to counteract climate change. Ocean fertilisation is one such technique, alongside other radical proposals, though many remain speculative or untested.

Geo-engineering proposals for climate mitigation

Ocean fertilisation as a carbon sink

Ocean fertilisation involves adding nutrients like iron, nitrogen, and phosphorus to the upper ocean to stimulate marine growth, particularly algal blooms, which absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere. As algae grow and die, they sink to the ocean floor, trapping CO₂ in deep-sea sediments and reducing atmospheric levels. However, this method is experimental, with concerns about unintended ecological impacts, such as disrupting marine ecosystems or altering ocean chemistry.

Challenges with geo-engineering

• High costs - Many geo-engineering solutions are expensive to develop and implement on a global scale.
• Feasibility issues - Some ideas, like placing mirrors in space to deflect sunlight, are considered impractical or unworkable with current technology.
• Ethical concerns - Altering natural systems on a large scale raises questions about unintended consequences and the morality of manipulating the environment.

Civil society and corporate efforts in addressing climate change

Beyond governmental and technological approaches, civil society organisations and corporations play significant roles in mitigating climate change. Their initiatives often focus on advocacy, innovation, and influencing public and corporate behaviour.

Civil society contributions to mitigation

Groups like the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Greenpeace actively combat climate change through advocacy and public engagement. WWF pressures major and emerging economies to cut GHG emissions, urges governments to commit to international agreements for 100% renewable energy by 2050, and promotes greener lifestyles through new technologies.

The One in Five Challenge: The One in Five Challenge is a WWF programme encouraging companies and government agencies to reduce the environmental impact of business travel and operations.

Benefits of the programme include:

• Financial savings from reduced travel costs.
• Time efficiencies by minimising travel.
• Productivity gains through alternative working methods.
• Improved family life for employees with less time away.
• Higher staff retention due to better work-life balance.

Vodafone case study: In 2010, Vodafone invested $600,000 in video-conferencing facilities. In the first five months after the investment, it spent 3,600 hours on video-conferencing and travelled 320,000 km less on business. The company saved about one-third of its previous costs of air travel.

Corporate strategies for climate action

US corporate partnerships:

• The US Climate Action Partnership (USCAP), formed in 2007 by 28 companies including Shell and Siemens, lobby for legally binding CO₂ reduction targets of 80% by 2050.
• The Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy (BICEP), established in 2008 by firms like Nike and Starbucks, pushes for a 25% reduction below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80% by 2050.
• Despite these efforts, many US companies and citizens resist such policies, citing concerns over reduced competitiveness and potential job losses.

WWF and IKEA collaboration: WWF partners with IKEA on six climate projects:

• Climate Positive project - A broad initiative to map ways IKEA can positively impact society's climate footprint beyond just reducing its own emissions.
• Sustainable Life at Home - Testing methods to help customers lower CO₂ emissions through smart products and communication since 2010.
• IKEA Food range improvements - Seeking ways to cut CO₂ emissions from food sold in IKEA restaurants and markets while maintaining appeal and health benefits.
• Closing the loops - Exploring full recyclability and cyclic systems to save resources, reduce emissions, and focus on reusable or recyclable products.
• Sustainable Transportation of People (STOP) - Developing tools to decrease CO₂ emissions from customer transport to IKEA stores.
• Climate Positive Opportunities for Suppliers - Targeting energy efficiency improvements in IKEA's supply chain to foster a low-carbon production process.