Solutions to climate change
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Solutions to Climate Change
Demand-Side Solutions for Climate Change Mitigation
While much of the focus on climate change mitigation has traditionally been on supply-side technological solutions, there is a growing recognition of the importance of demand-side solutions. These involve changes in consumption patterns and behaviors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A transdisciplinary approach is essential to identify effective demand-side solutions, assess their mitigation potential, and understand their implications for well-being1.
Natural Climate Solutions (NCS)
Conservation, Restoration, and Land Management
Natural climate solutions (NCS) encompass a range of conservation, restoration, and improved land management actions that enhance carbon storage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These actions span across forests, wetlands, grasslands, and agricultural lands. NCS can provide over one-third of the cost-effective climate mitigation needed by 2030 to stabilize global warming below 2°C. They also offer additional benefits such as improved soil productivity, cleaner air and water, and biodiversity conservation2.
Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) for Climate Change
Nature-based solutions (NbS) are gaining traction as integrated approaches that address climate change and biodiversity loss while supporting sustainable development. However, it is crucial to ensure that NbS are not seen as substitutes for the rapid phase-out of fossil fuels. Effective NbS should involve a wide range of ecosystems, respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and provide measurable benefits for biodiversity3.
Urban Nature-Based Solutions
Enhancing Urban Resilience
In urban areas, nature-based solutions can significantly reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience to climate change impacts. Green and blue urban spaces, such as parks and water bodies, can mitigate climate-induced impacts and serve as proactive adaptation measures. Effective implementation of these solutions requires strong evidence, adaptive governance, and consideration of socio-environmental justice4.
Reducing Vulnerability in the Global South
In the rural Global South, nature-based solutions have been shown to reduce vulnerability to climate change by lowering ecosystem sensitivity and increasing adaptive capacity. These solutions are particularly effective when they address both social and ecological dimensions of vulnerability, ensuring equity and effectiveness5.
National and Global Perspectives on NCS
Canada's Natural Climate Solutions
Canada's natural climate solutions include the protection, management, and restoration of forests, wetlands, grasslands, and agricultural lands. These solutions can contribute significantly to Canada's emission reduction goals and provide co-benefits such as enhanced soil productivity and biodiversity conservation6.
Global Evidence and Implementation
Globally, there is substantial evidence that nature-based interventions can mitigate climate impacts and provide broader ecological and social benefits. However, there are gaps in the evidence base, particularly regarding the cost-effectiveness of these interventions and their broader social and ecological outcomes. More research is needed to inform policy and practice effectively7.
Integrated Climate Solutions
Combining Technological, Nature-Based, and Social Solutions
Integrating technological, nature-based, and social solutions can address complex socio-ecological issues in cities and increase resilience to climate impacts. Successful implementation of integrated solutions requires systematic research, enabling environments, and prioritization of disadvantaged urban areas, particularly in the Global South10.
Conclusion
Addressing climate change requires a multifaceted approach that includes demand-side solutions, natural climate solutions, and integrated urban strategies. By leveraging conservation, restoration, and improved land management, alongside technological and social innovations, we can achieve significant mitigation and adaptation outcomes. Ensuring the equitable and effective implementation of these solutions is crucial for sustaining both nature and human well-being in the face of a changing climate.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Towards demand-side solutions for mitigating climate change
This paper proposes a transdisciplinary approach to identify demand-side climate solutions, investigate their mitigation potential, detail policy measures, and assess their implications for well-being.
Highly CitedNatural climate solutions
Natural climate solutions (NCS) can provide over one-third of the cost-effective climate mitigation needed to stabilize warming to below 2°C, while improving soil productivity, air and water quality, and maintaining biodiversity.
Highly CitedGetting the message right on nature‐based solutions to climate change
Nature-based solutions can address climate change and biodiversity loss, but they must not replace rapid fossil fuel phase-out and involve diverse ecosystems, respect Indigenous and local rights, and provide measurable benefits for biodiversity.
Highly CitedNature-based solutions to climate change mitigation and adaptation in urban areas: perspectives on indicators, knowledge gaps, barriers, and opportunities for action
Nature-based solutions can help mitigate climate change impacts and enhance urban resilience, but require stronger evidence, adaptive governance, and social cohesion for effective implementation.
Highly CitedContributions of nature-based solutions to reducing people’s vulnerabilities to climate change across the rural Global South
Nature-based solutions in the rural Global South reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts by lowering ecosystem sensitivity, increasing social adaptive capacity, and enhancing ecological adaptive capacity.
Systematic ReviewNatural climate solutions for Canada
Natural climate solutions, such as forests, wetlands, grasslands, and agriculture, can contribute to Canada's climate goals by providing up to 394.4 Tg CO2e of mitigation annually between 2021 and 2030, with cover crops and improved forest management offering the largest mitigation opportunities.
Highly CitedMapping the effectiveness of nature‐based solutions for climate change adaptation
Nature-based interventions can effectively reduce climate impacts, but more research is needed on their cost-effectiveness, integration, and broader social and ecological outcomes.
Highly CitedStrategies for mitigation of climate change: a review
Conventional mitigation efforts alone are insufficient to meet the Paris agreement targets, and alternative technologies like biogenic-based sequestration are needed for immediate deployment.
Highly CitedUnderstanding the value and limits of nature-based solutions to climate change and other global challenges
Nature-based solutions show potential for climate change adaptation and mitigation, but face challenges in reliability, cost-effectiveness, and resilience, requiring scientific engagement with policy makers.
Highly CitedIntegrating solutions to adapt cities for climate change.
Integrating technological, nature-based, and social solutions can improve urban liveability and resilience to climate change impacts, but successful implementation requires systematic research and enabling environments.
Highly Cited