Localized Carbon-Reduction Strategies

Keywords: climate strategy, localized climate action, carbon drawdown
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Monday
Session Start / End Time: 2/28/2022 02:00 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/28/2022 03:20 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 56

Abstract

Localized carbon-reduction strategies are especially critical in states and regions that lack top-down climate leadership. A team of universities and stakeholders has developed a framework for identifying and scaling promising climate solutions that are tailor-made for the unique economic, social and natural resources of sub-national entities including states and metropolitan areas. The framework considers the magnitude of carbon reduction opportunities, the net present value associated with implementing them, and gives preference to those that advance equity, promote economic development, improve public health and nurture the larger environment. In addition, solutions that minimize emissions and maximize sinks are also considered, spanning the electricity, transportation, built environment, agriculture, and forestry. The framework illustrates how robust place-specific plans for climate action could be derived from foundational global and national work and by embedding that research into the context of socio-ecological-technological systems. The framework has been applied to the state of Georgia, where a custom mix of carbon reduction solutions has been identified that is tailor-made to fit the state’s unique economic, social and natural resources.