Committee on Climate Change
Independent advisors to the UK Government on tackling and preparing for climate change
Adaptation & Mitigation |
|
Mitigation refers to our efforts to tackle the causes of climate change by reducing net emissions of greenhouse gases. However, irrespective of the success of mitigation efforts, we are still locked into some degree of climate change because of past and present greenhouse gas emissions. This delayed response will result in temperature and sea-level continuing to increase for several decades regardless of any present-day emissions reductions, and associated changes in rainfall. Adaptation is about adjusting the way that we do things to ensure that we are prepared for climate change. It is not an alternative to mitigation but complements our continued and essential efforts to reduce emissions by 80% in 2050, and is an essential part of our approach to climate change. Some responses to climate change (through adaptation) may impact negatively on efforts to mitigate and vice versa, as the more that we mitigate the less that we will need to adapt. So, in this way, adaptation and mitigation should be pursued alongside one another so that the links between the two can be considered. For example, the increased use of air conditioning in response to higher temperatures is an action that you could take to adapt to higher temperatures, but this would lead to increased emissions of harmful greenhouse gases. Continuing to significantly reduce emissions from our homes by installing more energy efficient appliances and insulation (a mitigation action) will help to reduce the need for adaptation. On the other hand, a number of adaptation measures could help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For example, increasing green space within urban areas could provide shading and cooling and so help reduce the need for air conditioning, more efficient use of water reduces the energy needed for treatment and designing and renovating buildings so they are able to cope with warmer temperatures will also improve their energy efficiency. It is therefore important that we approach how we tackle climate change in a twin-track approach, which encompasses both mitigation and adaptation. |
- Text: Smaller | Larger
Printable Version
email a friend
