Mitigating Climate Change

Urgency of action in climate change discussions mitigation refers to reducing emissions into the atmosphere of gases which contribute to climate change, principally carbon dioxide but also other gases such as nitrous oxide and methane. Successful reduction of the levels of these greenhouse gases (GHG) in the earth's atmosphere will require a cooperative international mitigation effort. As UN negotiations approach the time for a second, more robust, treaty to tackle climate change, mitigation efforts of differing degrees will be necessary in both developed and developing countries. Practical Action supports calls for urgent and strong action from developed countries to reduce their GHG emissions. The UNFCCC Copenhagen agreement for post-2012 was to include clear and binding targets for GHG emission reductions that will result in stabilization of global temperature rise below +2°C (above preindustrial levels). The latest science indicates that for this to be achievable, emissions globally must peak and begin declining by 2015 at the latest, and must be reduced by at least 50 per cent by 2050. Very steep declines in emissions are necessary by developed countries, to give the space for developing countries to achieve sustainable development. For these goals to be achievable, industrialized countries must develop strategies to achieve these targets and move to a low carbon development path.