Mitigation refers to deliberate actions and strategies aimed at reducing or preventing the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere, thereby limiting the magnitude of global warming and its associated impacts. Effective mitigation addresses the root causes of climate change rather than its consequences.
Mitigation can take many forms across sectors:
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Energy: transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency in power generation, buildings, and industry.
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Transport: promoting electric vehicles, public transport, and low-carbon fuels.
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Agriculture and Land Use: adopting sustainable farming, reforestation, afforestation, and reducing deforestation.
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Industry: implementing cleaner production methods and carbon capture technologies.
Mitigation requires coordinated action by governments, businesses, and civil society to develop policies, regulations, incentives, and investment frameworks that encourage low-carbon development. Its ultimate goal is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that avoids dangerous interference with the climate system, in line with international agreements such as the Paris Agreement.
