1110. Effective Climate Policies

Achieving the climate goals of the Paris Agreement requires knowledge of what climate policies are effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

The paper, published in the journal Science, used machine learning to evaluate 1,500 climate policies implemented in 41 countries across six continents between 1988 and 2022, and identified 63 policies that contributed to a total emissions reduction of between 0.6 billion and 1.8 billion metric tonnes CO2.

Based on an analysis of these 63 climate policies, the paper draws the following lessons:

Climate policy is more effective as part of a policy mix: In most cases, climate policies have a greater effect when policy instruments are part of a policy mix, for example, when carbon pricing and subsidies are combined, rather than being implemented alone.

Developed and developing countries have different climate change policy needs: In developed countries, carbon pricing stands out as an effective policy, while in developing countries, regulation is the most powerful policy.

The Paris Agreement emissions gap can be closed: Focusing on these 63 examples of effective climate policies, the current emissions gap to meet the Paris Agreement goals can be narrowed by 26%-41% and make a significant contribution.

Reference
Annika Stechemesser et al. ,Climate policies that achieved major emission reductions: Global evidence from two decades. Science 385, 884-892(2024). https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/science.adl6547

Contributor: IIYAMA Miyuki, Information Program