Why climate mitigation is more effective

🌍 We Can’t Afford to Get Climate Policy Wrong—A Look at the Data Behind What Really Works 🌍 In the race against time to combat climate change, bold promises are everywhere. But here’s the critical question: Are the policies being implemented actually reducing emissions at the scale we need? A groundbreaking study published in Science, cuts through the noise and delivers the insights we desperately need. Evaluating 1,500 climate policies from around the world, the research identifies the 63 most effective ones—policies that have delivered tangible, significant reductions in emissions. What’s striking is that the most successful strategies often involve combinations of policies, rather than single initiatives. Think of it as the ultimate teamwork: when policies like carbon pricing, renewable energy mandates, and efficiency standards are combined thoughtfully, the impact is far greater than any one policy could achieve on its own. It’s a powerful reminder that for climate solutions the whole is indeed greater than the sum of its parts. Moreover, the study’s use of counterfactual emissions pathways is a game changer. By showing what would have happened without these policies, it provides a clear, quantifiable measure of their effectiveness. This is exactly the kind of rigorous evaluation we need to ensure that every policy counts, especially when we’re working against the clock. If we’re serious about meeting the Paris Agreement’s targets, we need to focus on what works—and this research offers a clear roadmap. Let’s champion policies that have proven to make a difference, because we don’t have time to waste on anything less. 🔗 Full study in the comments #ClimateAction #Sustainability #PolicyEffectiveness #ParisAgreement #NetZero #ClimateScience

This chart shows something counterintuitive: many of the most effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions actually save money rather than cost it. The left side shows solutions with negative costs - meaning they pay for themselves through savings. Switching office lights to LEDs, improving building insulation, and making industrial processes more efficient all reduce emissions while cutting energy bills. Let's put this in perspective with some real numbers: The savings are massive. Looking at just the top money-saving solutions on this chart, we could reduce about 8 billion tons of CO2 annually by 2030 while saving approximately €400 billion per year globally. That's roughly €50 saved for every ton of CO2 eliminated. For a typical large corporation, this might translate to millions in annual savings. A company reducing 100,000 tons of CO2 through efficiency measures could save €5 million yearly while hitting sustainability targets. The middle section shows low-cost solutions like solar power and wind energy, which have become remarkably affordable in recent years - often under €25 per ton of CO2 avoided. Only the most expensive solutions on the right - like retrofitting coal plants with carbon capture technology - require significant upfront investment, costing €40-60 per ton. This data comes from comprehensive climate research (see link in comments) showing we have about 38 billion tons of CO2 reduction potential by 2030. The key insight? We don't need to choose between environmental progress and economic sense - many climate solutions deliver both. This suggests that sustainability initiatives often improve the bottom line while reducing environmental impact. The question isn't whether we can afford to act on climate change, but whether we can afford not to pursue these win-win opportunities. #climatechange #sustainability #businessstrategy #energyefficiency #carboncapture

Something to ruminate on this Friday... As researchers, agrifood system companies, and farmers continue to develop solutions for reducing GHG emissions from livestock production, what's becoming more clear is that harnessing capitalism--an economic system in which private actors own and control property in accord with their interests--will be one of our most powerful tools. The simple truth in agriculture is that for a practice (including GHG mitigation) to be both scalable and self-sustaining, it must, at a minimum, pay for itself. Ideally, it should also improve productivity and profitability. Many of the technologies or behavior changes that stakeholders are advocating for today--especially aimed at methane mitigation--don't pass this simple test. They increase costs, introduce risk and management complexity, or create societal costs (as in: more expensive and scarce food). As one American political pundit put it once: it's the economy, stupid. So, how can we align economic self-interests with addressing the mother of all externalities--climate change? The FAO provides a roadmap. In December 2023, they published "Pathways to lower emissions," a seminal report that assessed mitigation options for livestock agrifood systems. I've linked to this study below--should be required reading for stakeholders searching for a balanced framework to considering options. A key takeaway: Of the 11 GHG mitigation strategies evaluated, the most effective for reducing emissions also provide economic uplift for farmers and the broader food system. These categories of practices include: (1) animal productivity increases, (2) breeding, (3) improve animal health, and (4) feed and nutrition improvements. The good news? These are off-the-shelf solutions available today. We know how to do this through good ol' fashioned extension, technical assistance, and supporting farmer-to-farmer networks. Next time I'll share a real-world example of how aligning economic incentives with public needs can drive both food security, emissions mitigation, and climate resilience. https://lnkd.in/gXg9t4a9

A comprehensive analysis of climate policies implemented across 41 countries from 1998 to 2022 has identified 63 successful interventions that reduced emissions by 0.6 to 1.8 billion metric tonnes of CO2. The study highlights the effectiveness of well-designed policy mixes, particularly those incorporating price-based instruments, in addressing the emissions gap. Findings indicate that successful policy approaches vary by sector and region, with pricing mechanisms proving effective in developed economies and regulatory measures showing promise in developing economies. The research underscores the need for tailored, diverse policy instruments and increased efforts to meet global climate goals, as current successful practices would need to be scaled up more than four times to close the emissions gap. #climateaction #parisagreement #emissionreduction #sustainablefuture #climatepolicy #globalimpact #environmentalstrategy #netzero #climatechange #policyinnovation

Rethinking #ClimatePolicy: The Power of Tailored Approaches 🌍🏭🧩 Climate policy effectiveness isn't a simple yes or no question. The real challenge lies in understanding which policies work under specific conditions. 🔍 A recent study in Science offers crucial insights into this complex issue, analysing approximately 1,500 climate policies across 41 countries from 1998 to 2022. The research, led by Annika Stechemesser and colleagues, identified 63 successful policy interventions that significantly reduced emissions. Their findings reveal that tailored policy mixes often outperform single-instrument approaches. In the transport sector of developed economies, combining pricing with subsidies was highly effective, while in developing economies, regulation was most powerful, both alone and in combination with other policies. 🚗💨 In the electricity sector of developed economies, pricing was key in 50% of effective interventions, while in developing economies, standalone subsidies were most effective. These findings underscore the importance of context-specific policy design in driving meaningful emission reductions. 🏙️🏭 The study's nuanced approach provides a solid foundation for more effective climate action. However, I believe its implications extend beyond environmental outcomes to the realm of political feasibility. 🏛️🤝 In my view, these tailored policy mixes may offer a promising path through the political gridlock that often impedes climate action. By incorporating diverse policy instruments - from market-based mechanisms to regulations and incentives - these mixes provide multiple points for negotiation between differing ideological positions. 🔧🎯 Consider how this approach might bridge the gap between left and right. Conservatives might favour pricing mechanisms for their market-based approach, while progressives could support strong regulatory measures. A well-designed mix that includes both could potentially satisfy both camps, leading to a more politically viable solution. 🌈🤝 Furthermore, the sector-specific nature of effective policy mixes aligns well with the diverse interests represented in most political systems. Policies tailored to the buildings sector might appeal to urban representatives, while measures targeting industry could gain support from legislators in manufacturing-heavy districts. This granularity allows for more precise addressing of constituent concerns, potentially reducing overall opposition and fostering compromise. 🏙️🏭🤔 In a world grappling with polarization, could this approach offer a pragmatic way forward on climate action? By providing a framework for compromise without sacrificing effectiveness, tailored policy mixes might be key to unlocking sustained, impactful climate policy. 🔑🌱 What's your perspective on this? How might we leverage these insights to overcome political barriers to climate action? Link to study: https://lnkd.in/ehH8tHxf

🌍 Climate Policies to cut Emissions: are they working? A groundbreaking analysis published in @Science has pinpointed the world’s most effective policies in curbing planet-heating pollution, revealing unexpected outcomes 🌱 Researchers examined 1,500 climate policies across 41 countries, identifying just 63 "success stories"—a sobering yet valuable blueprint for impactful action. The study found that policy combinations—rather than standalone initiatives—proved most successful in slashing emissions. Notably, popular measures like coal plant bans need support from additional policies, such as carbon taxes, to be truly effective. The study also highlights the critical role of often unpopular carbon taxes, which, when paired with more accepted measures, can drive significant climate progress. This research emphasizes that while progress has been made, current efforts are insufficient. Scaling up successful strategies globally and planning with a long-term vision is crucial to closing the gap between current emissions and the levels needed to avoid catastrophic warming. The findings underscore a clear message: Smart, combined policy approaches are essential to meaningful #climateaction. Read the article here 👇 https://lnkd.in/eWNhVRFC

The success of climate policies hinges on the right mix of instruments, and taxation and price incentives are the most successful in reducing emissions. This concludes the recent PIK - Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change (MCC) gGmbH study that analyzed over 1,500 #ClimatePolicy instruments across 41 countries from 1998 to 2022 focusing on their effect on emissions reduction. The researchers identified only 63 policy mixes that achieved significant emissions reductions of at least 5%. This raises the crucial question: which national climate policies are truly effective? By examining the effects of pricing, regulation, subsidies, and information in the building, electricity, industry, and transportation sectors, the research shows that subsidies and regulation alone do not reduce emissions. Instead, they only do so in combination with tax and pricing incentives, as policy mixes work best. From my experience, energy and agriculture sectors demonstrate how sustainability and economic goals go hand in hand. Policymakers should focus on tax incentives and innovation, not just regulation. For example, promoting agricultural innovations that offer carbon-neutral alternatives to conventional fertilizers are a helpful measure for farmers and industry alike. These insights are crucial for policymakers, and anyone interested in #ClimatePolicy. To develop truly effective policies and reduce bureaucracy, we need more research like this to guide our efforts. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eJPWQhmm #Sustainability #EmissionsReduction #ClimatePolicy #PIK #MCC