Climate Change Mitigation Actions Research Articles

Climate leadership competencies in public sector organisations in the Pirkanmaa region of Finland

Regions play an important role in concretising climate change mitigation and adaptation action. In this study, we asked those who work in designing and implementing climate strategies in regional public sector organisations in the Pirkanmaa region of Finland, for their views on what is needed for climate leadership in a regional organisation. We characterise the attributes of a climate leader in the context of regional public sector organisations in terms of the resources, processes, challenges and motivations in their work on climate change mitigation and adaptation, and describe the competencies needed for regional climate leadership. This research aims to support education design better to respond to the needs of regional climate actors.

Mitigation of climate change. Risk and uncertainty research gaps in the specification of mitigation actions

In this perspective paper, we are concerned with the general problem of how to increase the probability of achieving the expected outcomes of climate change mitigation actions. Climate change mitigation actions prevent, limit, reduce, delay or slow the rate of environmental changes produced by greenhouse gas emissions. A mitigation action can fail to achieve its intended outcome or create an adverse outcome elsewhere, which means uncertainty about mitigation outcomes or risk. Thus, mitigation risk can be defined by the deviation from a given mitigation goal and the associated uncertainties. We observe a lack of take-up of crucial concepts associated with risk in the climate change mitigation literature. Next, the concepts of risk, risk perception, risk acceptance and agents’ concerns are sometimes used interchangeably. As discussed in this paper, this has resulted in a lack of research about, for example, critical causes of mitigation failure. This situation means that some crucial knowledge gaps remain unaddressed or little researched. In this paper, we strive to identify those research gaps that need to be addressed in managing mitigation actions. Based on literature on risk, clarifications and distinctions regarding the potential meaning, scope, roles and implications among key concepts, such as risk knowledge, mitigation risk, uncertainty, agents’ concerns, risk perception and risk acceptance are given. A key distinction is that the central concept of concerns is associated with agentsʼ objectives, interests, visions, needs, preferences, norms, criteria or values and is different from risk perception. Following this, the gaps this perspective paper discusses are identified and justified by the analysis of how specialised literature in mitigation of climate change reflects aspects linked to the risk concepts. The discussed gaps entail the identification and operationalisation of agents’ concerns, the lack of knowledge about the influence of risk perception and risk acceptance on the weighting of agents’ concerns, and the impacts of the disparity in power relations among agents involved in mitigation.

Comparative Perceptions Influence Actions on Climate Change Between Eastern and Western Europeans

Climate change is an important issue that countries worldwide are aware of and campaign to reduce. All parties must cooperate, whether the government, the private sector, individuals, etc. Many perception surveys have met the public's understanding and knowledge about climate change. Despite the odds, previous research supported environmental protection and sustainability in surveys, polls, and past research. However, the existing literary gap between intentions and actions and awareness and implementation has recently widened. The objectives of this research include comparing perceptions and climate change mitigation actions between Eastern and Western European countries because both regions are different, as well as searching for and comparing perceptions influencing climate change mitigation actions between them. The research adopts a quantitative methodology, emphasizing exploring secondary data from the European Investment Bank (EIB) climate change survey 2022–2023. It analyzed the data to compare the perceptions and actions of the two regions in mitigating climate change. The statistical tests included a t-test and stepwise multiple regression analysis to predict the influence of perceptions and actions on reducing climate change. The results showed that respondents' perceptions of climate change in Eastern and Western Europe were not significantly different. However, there was a significant difference in the number of reduction actions taken by Western Europeans compared to Eastern Europeans. Perceptions of climate change catastrophes and serious government mitigation actions positively influenced actions in Eastern Europe. This study found that businesses' attention to mitigation and their perception of the catastrophic effects of climate change positively influence mitigation actions in Western Europe. The recommendations guided governments, policymakers, and businesses to take action to reduce climate change, motivating people's adequate perceptions and actions. Stakeholders communicating climate change's impacts on catastrophe should present true information with honesty and transparency. Doi: 10.28991/HEF-2024-05-03-03 Full Text: PDF

Health Co-benefits of Climate Change Mitigation Action

Health Co-benefits of Climate Change Mitigation Action

Private Woodland Owner Perceptions of Threat and Efficacy Shape Management Responses for Climate Change Adaptation

Abstract Private woodland owners (PWOs) face an increasing number of considerations for climate change adaptation and mitigation activities in their forest management. Evidence suggests there may be a disconnect between PWOs’ climate change perceptions and behaviors, which can limit implementation. We conducted seventeen semistructured interviews in Maine to develop a typological framework of PWOs based on their perceptions of climate-induced threats and efficacy. Our results produced three types of PWOs: the steady-as-they-go landowner (low perceived threat), the science-driven landowner (high perceived threat; high efficacy), and the seeking-support landowner (high perceived threat; low efficacy). Although all three types of PWOs regularly implemented resistance and resilience practices, their attitudes toward transition practices (i.e., assisted migration) diverged based on their perceptions of threat and efficacy. This typological framework can be used when targeting communications to PWOs regarding the overlap between climate adaptive management and traditional best management practices. Study Implications: PWOs in our study recognized climate-related impacts while implementing diverse forest management practices to meet both climate-related and non-climate-related objectives. The divergent attitudes toward transition practices exhibited by our three PWO types highlight the notion that adaptive practices can be both intentional and incidental. Our findings suggest that outreach efforts should understand PWO perceptions of climate change threats and their feelings of efficacy in responding to such threats. When combined with knowledge about the overlap between traditional best management practices and new climate-adaptive strategies, extension and outreach efforts can tailor their messaging to fit the appropriate audience.

Current and future scenarios of suitability and expansion of cassava brown streak disease, Bemisia tabaci species complex, and cassava planting in Africa.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is among the most important staple crops globally, with an imperative role in supporting the Sustainable Development Goal of 'Zero hunger'. In sub-Saharan Africa, it is cultivated mainly by millions of subsistence farmers who depend directly on it for their socio-economic welfare. However, its yield in some regions has been threatened by several diseases, especially the cassava brown streak disease (CBSD). Changes in climatic conditions enhance the risk of the disease spreading to other planting regions. Here, we characterise the current and future distribution of cassava, CBSD and whitefly Bemisia tabaci species complex in Africa, using an ensemble of four species distribution models (SDMs): boosted regression trees, maximum entropy, generalised additive model, and multivariate adaptive regression splines, together with 28 environmental covariates. We collected 1,422 and 1,169 occurrence records for cassava and Bemisia tabaci species complex from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and 750 CBSD occurrence records from published literature and systematic surveys in East Africa. Our results identified isothermality as having the highest contribution to the current distribution of cassava, while elevation was the top predictor of the current distribution of Bemisia tabaci species complex. Cassava harvested area and precipitation of the driest month contributed the most to explain the current distribution of CBSD outbreaks. The geographic distributions of these target species are also expected to shift under climate projection scenarios for two mid-century periods (2041-2060 and 2061-2080). Our results indicate that major cassava producers, like Cameron, Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Nigeria, are at greater risk of invasion of CBSD. These results highlight the need for firmer agricultural management and climate-change mitigation actions in Africa to combat new outbreaks and to contain the spread of CBSD.

How corporate climate change mitigation actions affect the cost of capital

AbstractJapan has been at the forefront of global efforts to accelerate climate change mitigation. Japanese firms have led in the development of decarbonization technologies and have positively disclosed climate change‐related information based on the Task Force on Climate‐related Financial Disclosures recommendations to address climate change. We explore the relationship between corporate climate change mitigation actions and the cost of capital for 2100 Japanese listed companies from 2017 to 2021. The results reveal that a higher carbon intensity correlates with an increased cost of equity, debt, and weighted average cost of capital. Interestingly, although climate‐related information disclosure is associated with an increased cost of debt, it concurrently lowers the cost of equity and overall capital. This research recommends strategic approaches for firms to reduce their costs of capital while proactively combating climate change, highlighting the divergent responses of equity and bond markets to decarbonization initiatives.

Driving toward sustainable cities: The interplay between Chinese emerging corporate ESG performance and climate finance in achieving low-carbon development

Climate finance plays a pivotal role in directing increased capital flow toward climate change mitigation and adaptation activities. Many emerging enterprises have grown rapidly under the influence of climate finance policies, contributing to urban low-carbon transition. Therefore, it is important to explore the interrelationships between climate finance, enterprise low-carbon transformations, and urban carbon emission efficiency. This study delves into the impact of climate finance on urban carbon emission efficiency and its underlying transmission mechanisms, drawing upon comprehensive panel data of 262 Chinese cities and 4125 enterprises from 2009 to 2019. The findings indicate that urban climate finance have significantly positive influences on urban carbon emission efficiency and unveil that enterprise environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance exhibits positive influences on urban carbon emission efficiency, underscoring the critical role of enterprises as the vanguard of climate finance. Moreover, the research presents the mediating effect of enterprise green innovation between the urban climate finance and carbon emission efficiency. The mediating effect manifests distinct threshold effects among different levels of enterprise green innovation. Our results suggest that China should enact tailored climate finance policies for higher urban emission efficiency, including judicious allocation of climate funds and effective guidance on enterprise-driven green technological innovation.

Long-term effects of tillage systems on soil health of a silt loam in Lower Austria

Tillage is an essential practice for soil preparation in agriculture that influences a broad variety of soil parameters. However, the long-term implications of tillage on soil health are complex, context specific, and need to be better understood. The aim of our study is to evaluate soil physical, chemical, and biological effects of three different tillage practices: conventional tillage (CT), mulch tillage (MT), and no-till (NT). A long-term experiment in Mistelbach, Lower Austria, was launched in 1994 and comprehensively sampled in 2002 and 2021. To evaluate tillage-impacts over the two decadal monitoring we assessed soil health indicators in the 0–20 cm soil depth (conventional ploughing layer) and below 20 cm. A "Soil Management Assessment Framework" (SMAF) procedure was applied to assess and compare soil quality using the Soil Quality Index (SQI). Considering multiple indicators, we found overall quality improvements in all three tillage-experiments over time. However, particularly the conservation practices (MT and NT) enhanced soil quality, predominately soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil physical indicators (e.g. water holding capacity, coarse pores). The study confirms that SOC in the 0–20 cm layer significantly increased under no-till (46 Mg C ha−1) compared to conventional tillage (26 Mg C ha−1). At the same time aggregate stability and water holding capacity increased under conservation agriculture (MT and NT). The proven positive impacts on soil health will further help to promote agricultural practices that sustain productivity while pushing forward climate change mitigation actions in temperate climate.

Relevance of population mobility for climate change mitigation

Population mobility and immobility are depicted prominently in the climate change adaptation literature either as maladaptation, or failure to adapt, or as a key strategy for adaptation in place or elsewhere. On the other hand, the relevance of population mobility in the context of climate change mitigation has not been highlighted to the same extent as, for example, population growth and fertility. And yet, as the outcomes of people moving around – sometimes in unexpected ways because of local combinations of policies, contexts and shocks – population mobility patterns, trends and levels could both facilitate and constrain climate change mitigation efforts. In this brief note, I suggest that climate change mitigation strategies and actions need to take into account their potential interactions with population mobility because it is a key component of population growth, population distribution and urbanisation trends, as well as a potential contributor to behavioural change.

Climate Change Mitigation in Agriculture beyond 2030: Options for Carbon Pricing and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms

SummaryIn the EU's climate policy, agriculture is covered as an Effort‐Sharing (ESR) sector, i.e. a sector beyond the Emission Trading System and LULUCF. Despite ambitious climate targets for the ESR sectors and an emerging focus on the need for agriculture to make a substantial contribution to climate change mitigation, agriculture has contributed much less to achieving climate targets than other ESR sectors in most EU Member States. A more radical mitigation instrument is required since the potential to increase climate efficiency in EU agriculture is limited. Carbon pricing is considered an effective instrument and is widely adopted in other sectors worldwide. Options on how to reduce related carbon leakage are discussed. Our recommendations for efficient climate change mitigation policy in agriculture are threefold. First, the agricultural sector needs more precise guidance and clear climate targets. Second, although preventing all conflicts between climate change mitigation actions and other policy goals is impossible and inefficient, a policy could minimise adverse effects. Third, since agricultural GHG emissions can only be minimised and compensated by negative emissions in other sectors, well‐defined intersectoral coordination is required.

Knowledge and Attitude of Village Communities towards Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Activities

The aim of this research is to determine the knowledge and attitudes of village communities towards climate change adaptation and mitigation activities to support the climate village program. The type of research is qualitative research, taking place in Laikang village, Takalar Regency. The study population was 6774 people. A sample of 200 people was determined using the side purposive method. The research instruments were questionnaires, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) sheets, and observation sheets. The data analysis technique used in this research is descriptive analysis. The research results show that (1) the level of respondents’ knowledge regarding adaptation and mitigation activities is in the medium category; (2) respondents' attitudes towards adaptation and mitigation activities are in the medium category.

Estimating Sugarcane Aboveground Biomass and Carbon Stock Using the Combined Time Series of Sentinel Data with Machine Learning Algorithms

Accurately mapping crop aboveground biomass (AGB) in a timely manner is crucial for promoting sustainable agricultural practices and effective climate change mitigation actions. To address this challenge, the integration of satellite-based Earth Observation (EO) data with advanced machine learning algorithms offers promising prospects to monitor land and crop phenology over time. However, achieving accurate AGB maps in small crop fields and complex landscapes is still an ongoing challenge. In this study, the AGB was estimated for small sugarcane fields (<1 ha) located in the Kumphawapi district of Udon Thani province, Thailand. Specifically, in order to explore, estimate, and map sugarcane AGB and carbon stock for the 2018 and 2021 years, ground measurements and time series of Sentinel-1 (S1) and Sentinel-2 (S2) data were used and random forest regression (RFR) and support vector regression (SVR) applied. Subsequently, optimized predictive models used to generate large-scale maps were adapted. The RFR models demonstrated high efficiency and consistency when compared to the SVR models for the two years considered. Specifically, the resulting AGB maps displayed noteworthy accuracy, with the coefficient of determination (R2) as 0.85 and 0.86 with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 8.84 and 9.61 t/ha for the years 2018 and 2021, respectively. In addition, mapping sugarcane AGB and carbon stock across a large scale showed high spatial variability within fields for both base years. These results exhibited a high potential for effectively depicting the spatial distribution of AGB densities. Finally, it was shown how these highly accurate maps can support, as valuable tools, sustainable agricultural practices, government policy, and decision-making processes.

A blessing in disguise: advisers’ experiences with promoting climate change mitigation among Norwegian farmers

ABSTRACT Purpose The purpose of the paper is to analyze how promotional and advisory efforts address climate change mitigation in Norway and to learn how advisers navigate between governmental goals to address the common good and farmers’ private needs. Methodology Empirical data was obtained through semi-structured in-depth interviews with eight agricultural advisers with the mandate of promoting climate-friendly farming, as well as through notes and presentations from a workshop involving advisers and agricultural schoolteachers. Data were analyzed qualitatively on the basis of meaning condensation and meaning categorization. Findings Only the most enterprising farmers have proactively sought climate advice and attended climate courses – and primarily for farm-benefiting gains other than climate change mitigation. The advisers see it as essential to highlight the overall gains that derive from climate change mitigation and that benefit farms in the broader sense in order to motivate farmers, while the central communication around climate advice and courses more narrowly solely focuses on the opportunity to reduce emissions. Practical implications and value It is important to create a suitable framing of climate change mitigation and its benefits both at the macro (policy and programme) and micro (farm-level advice) levels, in order to reach out to as many farmers as possible. Theoretical implications Advice framing that puts greater emphasis on the private, non-climate-related benefits of climate change mitigation actions seems to stimulate greater support for these actions than a common-good framing focused on addressing climate change only.

Carbonservation with Demonstrated Biodiversity and Carbon Gains: Carbon Can Pay But Biodiversity Must Lead

Land use has a critical role to play in both climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation, and increasingly there have been calls to integrate policies for concurrently meeting Paris Agreement commitments and the UN decade on ecosystem restoration 2021–2030. Currently however, investment activities have been dominated by climate change mitigation activities, including through the development of carbon markets (both voluntary and compliance markets). Whilst climate change mitigation is to be welcomed, the prioritization of carbon in avoided deforestation and reforestation can lead to suboptimal or negative outcomes for biodiversity. Restoration of degraded native vegetation may provide an opportunity for concurrent production of both carbon and biodiversity benefits, by harnessing existing carbon markets without the need to trade-off biodiversity outcomes. Here we demonstrate that carbon sequestered by restoring degraded temperate woodland can pay the price of the restored biodiversity. This is shown using conservative carbon prices in an established market (during both a voluntary and compliance market phase), and the restoration price revealed by a 10-year conservation incentive payment scheme. When recovery rates are high, market prices for carbon could pay the full price of restoration, with additional independent investment needed in cases where recovery trajectories are slower. Using carbon markets to fund restoration of degraded native vegetation thereby provides a solution for constrained resources and problematic trade-offs between carbon and biodiversity outcomes. Multi-attribute markets offer the potential to greatly increase the extent of restoration for biodiversity conservation, while providing an affordable source of carbon sequestration and enhancing economic benefits to landowners.

Implementation of the climate village program (Proklim) related to gender-based

The Climate Village Program (PROKLIM) experienced development and positive responses from 2011 to 2022 from various stakeholders. From the start, PROKLIM has prioritized sustainability aspects in climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts at the grassroots level. With an effectiveness level reaching 80%, the implementation of PROKLIM can be seen from the active participation of the community in every stage of decision-making, from planning and implementation to monitoring activities in climate village locations, strengthening the sense of ownership of ongoing programs and activities. Even though it is considered adequate at 80%, according to SRN-PPI data, PROKLIM coordinators in each region must remain vigilant and strive to change the community's mindset and knowledge regarding climate change adaptation and mitigation actions. The success of PROKLIM activities depends on forming a sustainable community mindset in preserving and transforming the environment. The SIDIK, SPECTRUM, and SRNPPI platforms are expected to facilitate PROKLIM implementation and stakeholders, ensuring that community-based climate change adaptation and mitigation actions can be recorded, accounted for, and validated effectively. Keywords: PROKLIM, Effectiveness, Community Participation, Mitigation and Adaptation Actions, Gender Equality. Keywords: Proklim, Effectiveness, Community Participation, Mitigation and Adaptation Actions, Gender Equality.

Long-term effect of different forest thinning intensity on carbon sequestration rates and potential uses in climate change mitigation actions

Long-term effect of different forest thinning intensity on carbon sequestration rates and potential uses in climate change mitigation actions

The Role of Coastal Women’s Empowerment in Achieving The Success of SDGs: A Study on The Kebaya Group, Bekasi

Land conversion has occurred in the coastal area of Kampung Beting, Pantai Bahagia Village, Bekasi Regency. What used to be a mangrove plantation has transformed into spaces for fish and shrimp ponds. This phenomenon took place from 2001 to the early 2010s. The promise of lucrative income led the community to compete in changing land use without considering the potential consequences. After 2011, the community gradually began to feel the negative impacts of this land conversion. To this day, the entire area that was once used for ponds has turned into the sea, causing the community to lose their livelihoods. Furthermore, not only have they lost their livelihoods, but they have also been confronted with land degradation, which threatens their sustainability. This study examines how coastal women's empowerment activities can contribute to sustainable development. The research employs a phenomenological approach, and data is collected through observation, interviews, and documentation. The findings indicate that Coastal Women's Empowerment Contributes to Sustainable Goals in Climate Change Mitigation, Gender Equality, and Poverty Alleviation. In climate change mitigation activities, there are two key activities: 1) the development of women's behavior in efforts to improve and rehabilitate critical lands, and 2) women's involvement in the maintenance of mangrove trees. In gender equality activities, there is one main activity: 1) active participation of women in productive economic activities, allowing coastal women in Pantai Bahagia Village to have regular activities beyond their domestic responsibilities. The focus of poverty alleviation activities is 2) increasing income by utilizing non-timber mangrove products for food processing and crafts.

Location Analysis of The Best Climate Village in Paser Regency Using Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Situation (TOPSIS)

Since the enactment of the National Registration System (SRN) of the Directorate General of Climate Change Control based on the Regulation of the Minister of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia Number 71 of 2017 where SRN is a forum to manage and provide web-based data and information in the form of actions and resources in the implementation of climate change adaptation and mitigation actions in Indonesia. Until 2023, there are 16 climate village locations in Paser Regency that have been reported to SRN with various levels of achievement according to the conditions of action that have been carried out by each climate village location. The purpose of this study is to analyze the best location of climate villages as reference locations in efforts to adapt and mitigate climate change in Paser Regency. The method used is TOPSIS, which calculates the highest value to the lowest of the closing results. From the results of the analysis, it was found that the best location of the climate village in Paser Regency that can be recommended as a reference location for ProKlim development is Muser Village, Muara Samu District, Paser Regency.

HIGHER EDUCATION ROLES TO SUPPORT CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION

Climate change has become an issue that affect every aspect of our lives, including in food security and economic matters. Climate change mitigation plays a key role to prevent the worst impact of climate change. Higher education can take a role on university-based mitigation action in reducing local emission by promoting service-learning approaches that include climate change mitigation. This paper aims to explore the role of higher education to support climate change mitigation to achieve tangible local benefits in facing climate change. This research uses a systematic literature review method related to climate change mitigation in higher education. This paper illustrating the role of higher education to support climate change mitigation by using service-learning approach and creating climate change governance networks. Higher Education Institution as an organization with significant impact toward local community can act as catalyst for sustainable development system. Higher education institution needs to regulate and renew energy systems and reorganize transportation system in order to reduce CO2 emissions and communicate message to higher education community to support climate change mitigation actions in personal level.