ABSTRACT
Mitigation targets result from a scientific understanding of the climate, natural and human systems, with value-judgements as to what thresholds of change are to be avoided, and socio-political negotiation as to processes to achieve emissions reductions. Reducing emissions of greenhouse gases is characterised by some economists, business people and politicians, as severely limiting economic growth, and likely to lead to reductions in future standards of living. Mitigation, or greenhouse gas emissions reductions, can be achieved in several general ways: through increased energy efficiency, fuel substitution, use of non-fossil-carbon fuels, carbon sequestration, and infrastructure and lifestyle changes. Carbon intensity varies greatly between countries, depending on economic structure, the mix of fuels used, and energy efficiency. Solar energy has huge potential, with the lowest estimates of supply, taking account of such factors as land availability, being some four times current global energy consumption. The main problems with wind power are public resistance to wind farms on-shore and high costs for them offshore.
