Module 4

Introduction to Climate Change

Mitigation

One UN Training Service Platform

on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn
 Learning Objectives
2

1. Explain the importance of 2. Describe relevant policy

climate change mitigation and approaches and strategic
low carbon development frameworks

By the end of
the module
participants will
be able to:
4. Define main international
3. Identify key sectors for low
mechanisms to support climate
carbon development and
outline relevant mitigation
change mitigation and low
options
carbon development

One UN Training Service Platform Module 4: Introduction to Climate Change

on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Mitigation
 Overview
3

Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4

Introduction to Strategic Sectors with High International

Climate Change Frameworks and Mitigation Initiatives to
Mitigation and Policy Potential Support Climate
Low Carbon Approaches for
OVERVIEW Change Mitigation
Development Mitigation and
Low Carbon
Development

One UN Training Service Platform Module 4: Introduction to Climate Change

on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Mitigation
4

Introduction to Climate
Section
1 Change Mitigation
and Low Carbon
Development

One UN Training Service Platform Module 4: Introduction to Climate Change

on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Mitigation
 What is Climate Change
Mitigation?
5

Mitigation refers to efforts to

reduce/prevent emission of
greenhouse gases (GHGs) or to
enhance their removal from the
atmosphere
by sinks.
Source: UNFCCC 2009. Further info:
UNEP Website

One UN Training Service Platform Section 1: Introduction to Climate Change

on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Mitigation and Low Carbon Development
 Key Concepts Related to
Climate Change Mitigation
6

Mitigation Option

• A technology, practice, or policy that reduces or limits

emissions of GHGs or increases their sequestration

Low Carbon/Emission Development

• Low carbon development refers to economic
development with minimal output of GHG emissions

Green Economy

• An economy that results in “improved human well-

being and social equity, while significantly reducing
environmental risks and ecological scarcities” (UNEP
2010) Further info: UN Sustainable Development
Knowledge Platform
One UN Training Service Platform Section 1: Introduction to Climate Change
on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Mitigation and Low Carbon Development
 Major Greenhouse Gases
Contributing to Climate
7 Change
Greenhouse Gas Human Source (Examples) % of Total Global
GHG Emissions
(2010)
Carbon dioxide (CO2) Fossil fuel combustion, land use 76%
changes, cement production, …
Methane (CH4) Fossil fuel mining/distribution, 16%
livestock, rice agriculture,
landfills, …
Nitrous oxide (N2O) Agriculture (fertilisers) and 6%
associated land use change, …
Hydrofluorocarbons Liquid coolants, … < 2%
(e.g. HFCs)
Perfluorocarbons Refrigerant, electronics industry < 2%
(e.g. PFCs) and aluminium industry, …
Sulphur hexafluoride Insulator in electronics and < 2%
(SF6) magnesium industry, …
Source: Reproduced from IPCC 2007, UNEP 2012, and FERN
Nitrogen trifluoride
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Electronics and photovoltaic < 2%
Section 1: Introduction to Climate Change
(NF )
on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn
3 industries, … Mitigation and Low Carbon Development
 Global “Carbon Budget” to
Avoid Warming Beyond 2°C
8

Total budget of anthropogenic appr. 1,000

CO2 emissions to limit GtC
warming to 2°C
Total anthropogenic CO2 appr. 500 GtC
emissions 1870-2011
Remaining “carbon budget” appr. 500 GtC
If no action is taken,
carbon budget will be exhausted in 30 years
Source: Based on IPCC 2013

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on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Mitigation and Low Carbon Development
 Mitigation Contributions
9

Source: WRI 2015

One UN Training Service Platform Section 1: Introduction to Climate Change
on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Mitigation and Low Carbon Development
 Estimated and Projected
Levels of Annual GHG
10 Emissions

Source: UNEP 2012, p2

One UN Training Service Platform Section 1: Introduction to Climate Change
on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Mitigation and Low Carbon Development
 Mitigating Greenhouse Gases:
A Shared Global Responsibility
11

 Global emissions need to

be reduced by at least
50% by 2050
 The emission pledges
made, if fully met, place
the world on a trajectory
for a global warming of
well over 3°C
 Without emission
reduction in developing
countries it will not
possible to stay within the
YEAR
maximum temperature
Global average surface temperature increase compared
increase of 2ºC to pre-industrial levels (source: World Bank 2012)

Source: Reproduced from IPCC 2007 and World Bank 2012

One UN Training Service Platform Section 1: Introduction to Climate Change

on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Mitigation and Low Carbon Development
 Total GHG Emissions of G20
Countries
12

Source: UNEP 2012, p19

One UN Training Service Platform Section 1: Introduction to Climate Change
on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Mitigation and Low Carbon Development
 GHG Emissions of G20
Countries per Unit of GDP
13

Source: UNEP 2012, p19

One UN Training Service Platform Section 1: Introduction to Climate Change
on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Mitigation and Low Carbon Development
 GHG Emissions of G20
Countries per Capita
14

Source: UNEP 2012, p20

One UN Training Service Platform Section 1: Introduction to Climate Change
on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Mitigation and Low Carbon Development
 Co-Benefits Resulting from
Mitigation and Low Carbon
15 Development
• Conservation of biodiversity and
ecosystems
Environmental • Improved water and air quality
• Restoration of degraded land
•…
• Employment creation
• Energy security
Economic • New economic opportunities
• Potential cost savings
• …

• Access to better services

• Health benefits
Social • Lifestyle benefits
• …

One UN Training Service Platform Section 1: Introduction to Climate Change

on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Mitigation and Low Carbon Development
 Co-Benefits from Biogas
Energy Production in Rural
16 China

Video: Example of a project for biogas

energy production in China.
URL: [Link]

One UN Training Service Platform Section 1: Introduction to Climate Change

on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Mitigation and Low Carbon Development
17

Strategic Frameworks
Section and Policy
2 Approaches for
Mitigation and Low
Carbon Development

One UN Training Service Platform Module 4: Introduction to Climate Change

on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Mitigation
 Low Carbon Development
Requires:
18

Political thinking to develop and

implement plans and strategies
resulting in less carbon intense
economic development

Patterns of consumption and Further info:

production, which are resource and EU and UNPD
Low Emission
energy efficient Capacity
Building Progra
mme

Redirection of investments towards

clean technologies, renewable energy,
and sustainable management of
water, agriculture and forests

Section 2: Strategic Frameworks and Policy Approaches

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for
on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn
Mitigation and Low Carbon Development
 Low-Emission Development
Strategy (LEDS)
19

Green
growth
strategy

National
National
sustainable
developme
developme
nt plan
nt strategy

LEDS

Poverty
Sectoral
reduction
strategies
strategy

Other
national
strategies

Source: Reproduced from GIZ 2012

Section 2: Strategic Frameworks and Policy Approaches

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for
on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn
Mitigation and Low Carbon Development
 Examples of LEDS
20

Ethiopia’s Climate Resilient Green Economy

Strategy

Bangladesh‘s Climate Change Strategy and

Action Plan

Korea’s National Strategy for Green Growth

Further info: UNDP website,

UNCSD website Section 2: Strategic Frameworks and Policy Approaches
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for
on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn
Mitigation and Low Carbon Development
 Elements of LEDS
21

Economy-wide, long-term mitigation goals and vision

Emissions data and projections

Survey of cost-efficient mitigation options and their
prioritization
Identification of mitigation policies, actions and related
targets

Further info:
Mitigation Partnership website

Section 2: Strategic Frameworks and Policy Approaches

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for
on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn
Mitigation and Low Carbon Development
 Policy Instruments to Foster
Low Carbon Development
22

• Emission trading schemes

Market based instruments • Payment for ecosystem services

• Subsidies
Financial incentives • Access to capital

Taxes and tariffs

Fiscal instruments
Sector-specific fiscal stimulus package

• Research, development and

demonstration activities
Other • Environmental and social standards
• Skills development and awareness-
raising
Section 2: Strategic Frameworks and Policy Approaches
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for
on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn
Mitigation and Low Carbon Development
 Nationally Appropriate
Mitigation Actions (NAMAs)
23

Source: GIZ 2012

Section 2: Strategic Frameworks and Policy Approaches

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for
on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn
Mitigation and Low Carbon Development
 Examples of NAMAs Underway
24

Mexico
• Building
• Transport

Indonesia
• Peat Land

Tunisia
• Solar Plan

For more information

Chile on planned and
implemented NAMAs
• Transport Sector please visit the
NAMA Database or
the NAMA registry
Section 2: Strategic Frameworks and Policy Approaches
One UN Training Service Platform
for
on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn
Mitigation and Low Carbon Development
25

Sectors with High

Section
Mitigation Potential
3

One UN Training Service Platform Module 4: Introduction to Climate Change

on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Mitigation
 Sectors with High Mitigation
Potential
26

Source: IPCC (2014). Fifth Assessment Report

One UN Training Service Platform Section 3: Sectors with High Mitigation

on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Potential
 Selected Mitigation Options:
Energy
27

 Use of renewable heat and

power (hydropower, solar, wind,
geothermal and bioenergy)
 Improved supply and
distribution efficiency
 Carbon capture storage (CCS)
 Combined heat and power Source: UNEP

…

One UN Training Service Platform Section 3: Sectors with High Mitigation

on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Potential
 Case Example Energy:
Renewable Energy in Bhutan
28

Rural electrification has been an integral part of the Royal

Government of Bhutan’s strategy to reduce poverty and stimulate
economic activities in rural areas. In order to improve national
energy security, the Department of Energy of the Ministry of
Economic Affairs of Bhutan developed a Renewable Energy Policy in
2011. Further info: UNESCAP Green Growth
Website
One UN Training Service Platform Section 3: Sectors with High Mitigation
on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Potential
 Selected Mitigation Options:
Transport
29

 More fuel efficient vehicles

 Use of alternative energy
sources (biofuels, cleaner
diesel, etc.)
 Better land-use and transport
planning
 Shift from individual transport
to public transport systems
Source: City Fix
 More efficient driving practices
 Non-motorized transport
(cycling, walking)

One UN Training Service Platform
… Change: UN CC:Learn
on Climate
Section 3: Sectors with High Mitigation
Potential
 Case Example Transport: Co-
Benefits of Bogotá’s Bus Rapid
30 Transit System

Source: UNFCCC

One UN Training Service Platform Section 3: Sectors with High Mitigation

on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Potential
 Selected Mitigation Options:
Buildings
31

 Efficient lighting and day

lighting
 More efficient electrical
appliances and heating and
cooling devices
 Improved insulation
 Integrated design of buildings
including technologies such
as intelligent meters that Source: UN-Habitat

provide feedback and control

 Solar photovoltaic systems
integrated in buildings
One UN Training Service Platform Section 3: Sectors with High Mitigation

on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Potential
 Case Example Buildings:
Energy Efficient Housing in
32 Bulgaria

Video: This video presents an example of work by

UNECE on efficient housing in Bulgaria

URL: [Link]

One UN Training Service Platform Section 3: Sectors with High Mitigation

on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Potential
 Selected Mitigation Options:
Industry
33

 Process-specific technologies
that improve efficiency and
reduce emissions
 Material recycling and
substitution
 Heat and power
recovery/cogeneration
 Control of greenhouse gas Source: UNIDO

emissions
…

One UN Training Service Platform Section 3: Sectors with High Mitigation

on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Potential
 Case Example: Emission
Reductions in
34
the Cement Industry in Mongolia
 New emission removal
and control system
 Investment costs:
USD 2,210
 Annual net savings:
USD 14,400
 Payback period:
less than 2 months
Source: UNEP/Yurtcimento. Further info: Green
Industry Platform

One UN Training Service Platform Section 3: Sectors with High Mitigation

on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Potential
 Selected Mitigation Options:
Agriculture
35

 Manure and livestock

management to reduce CH4
emissions
 Improved fertilizer application
techniques to reduce N2O
emissions
 Improved crop and grazing
land management to increase
soil carbon storage Source: Succow-Stiftung

 Restoration of cultivated peaty

soils and degraded lands
 Agro-forestry practices
One UN Training Service Platform Section 3: Sectors with High Mitigation
on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Potential
 In Focus:
FAO Climate-Smart Agriculture
36

Agriculture faces
intertwined challenges
 Ensuring food

security
 Adapting to climate

change
 Contributing to

climate change
mitigation

One UN Training Service Platform Section 3: Sectors with High Mitigation

on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Potential
 Selected Mitigation Options:
Forestry
37

 Reduced deforestation
 Afforestation/reforestation
 Forest management
 Tree species improvement to
increase biomass productivity
and carbon sequestration
… Source: UN-REDD

One UN Training Service Platform Section 3: Sectors with High Mitigation

on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Potential
 Case Example Forestry:
UN-REDD in Indonesia
38

Video: This video present the UN-REDD

programme in Indonesia

URL: [Link]

One UN Training Service Platform Section 3: Sectors with High Mitigation

on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Potential
 Selected Mitigation Options:
Waste
39

 Landfill methane recovery

 Waste incineration with
energy recovery
 Composting of organic
waste
 Controlled wastewater
treatment Source: UNEP

 Recycling and waste

minimization
 Biocovers and biofilters to
One UNoptimize CH oxidation
Training Service Platform Section 3: Sectors with High Mitigation
on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn 4 Potential
 Case Example: Waste
Management in South Africa
40

 Mariannhill Landfill -
South Africa’s first
Clean Development
Mechanism (CDM)
project
 Landfill electricity
generation from
methane Source: Durban Solid Waste

 The project is made

possible via the flexible
mechanisms for carbon
funding
One UN Training Service Platform
on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn
Section 3: Sectors with High Mitigation
Potential
41

International
Section Initiatives to Support
4 Climate Change
Mitigation

One UN Training Service Platform Module 4: Introduction to Climate Change

on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Mitigation
 International Mechanisms to
Promote Climate Change
42
Mitigation

Source: IGES 2013, slide 10

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on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Climate Change Mitigation
 Market and Non-Market
Mechanisms
43

UNFCCC approaches

Framework for Non-market- New market-

various based based
approaches approaches mechanism
(FVA) (NMA) (NMM)

Source: UNFCCC website

One UN Training Service Platform Section 4: International Initiatives to Support

on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Climate Change Mitigation
 New Market Mechanism (NMM)
44

Decision at COP
NMM will operate
17 to create a
Recognized limits under COP and
New Market
of CDM will
Mechanism to
implementation be voluntary –
account for
(project focus) details to be
sector-wide
negotiated
emissions

One UN Training Service Platform Section 4: International Initiatives to Support

on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Climate Change Mitigation
 How Does the European
Emissions Trading Scheme
45
Work?

Video: This video provides more

detailed information on the
Emission Trading Scheme

URL:
[Link]
45 One UN Training Service Platform 4 Section 4: International Initiatives to Support
on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Climate Change Mitigation
 Some UN Work Programmes
and Initiatives to Support
46
Mitigation
Nairobi Framework

• To assist countries with CDM implementation

• To enable countries to identify, develop and submit and process CDM projects

UN REDD Program

• Seeks to create a financial value for carbon stored in trees

• Offers incentives for developing countries to reduce emissions from forested
lands

NAMA Registry

• Web based platform linking developers and facilitators

One UN Training Service Platform Section 4: International Initiatives to Support

on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Climate Change Mitigation
47

Annex Additional Resources

One UN Training Service Platform Module 4: Introduction to Climate Change

on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn Mitigation
 Module Summary
48

 Mitigation refers to efforts to reduce greenhouse gases

emissions or to enhance their removal from the atmosphere
by sinks.
 Implementing mitigation actions can bring social, economic
and environmental co-benefits.
 The sectors with the biggest mitigation potential are: energy,
industry, transport, agriculture, forestry and waste.
 Given the fundamental changes required to achieve low
carbon development, mitigation actions needs to be
integrated with broader development goals and plans.
 Many countries have made pledges to reduce their emissions.
However current pledges are not sufficient to prevent
dangerous climate change (global temperature increase
beyond 2°C).
 There are several international mechanisms to support
One UN Training Service Platform
mitigation, many of them created under the Kyoto Protocol.
on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn
Additional Resources
 Useful Links
49

NAMA Partnersh CIFOR – Forest CDM Bazaar

ip Carbon Databas
e

International Pa Green Growth K UNEP CDM Meth

rtnership on Miti nowledge Platfo odologies & Tec
gation and MRV rm hnologies Select
ion Tool

WBI e-Courses o UNESCAP Asia-P ClimateTechWiki

n Low Carbon D acific Knowledg
evelopment e Platform

One UN Training Service Platform

on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn
Additional Resources
 Recommended Readings
50

 FAO (2013). Climate-Smart Agriculture Sourcebook

 IPCC (2011).
Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation
 UNIDO (2011). Policies for Supporting Green Industry
 UNEP (2011).
Towards a Green Economy: Pathways to Sustainable Develop
ment and Poverty Eradication
 UNEP (2012). The Emissions Gap Report
 Olivier J., Janssens-Maenhout G. and Peters J. (2012).
Trends in Global CO2 Emissions 2012 Report
 OECD (2010).
Low-Emission Development Strategies (LEDS): Technical, Ins
titutional and Policy Lessons
 World Bank (2012). Turn Down the Heat
One UN Training Service Platform
on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn
Additional Resources
 Main References
51

 UNEP (2012). The Emissions Gap Report

 UNFCCC.
CGE Training Materials – Mitigating Climate Change
 UNFCCC. Official Website – Mitigation
 UNITAR (2013).
Climate Change Diplomacy: Negotiating Effectively under t
he UNFCCC, Module IV Mitigating Climate Change

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on Climate Change: UN CC:Learn
Additional Resources