Mitigation Strategies that reduce emissions

Question 1

International Agreements and Co-operation

Answer 1

• UNFCCC
• Conference of Parties
• Paris Agreement

Question 2

What is the UNFCC?
(United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change)

Answer 2

• International environmental treaty addressing climate change
• Stabilise greenhouse gas emissions at a level that would:
• Prevent irreversible anthropogenic impacts
• Provide sufficient time for ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change.

Question 3

How does UNFCCC work?

Answer 3

• Puts greater responsibilities on developed, industrialised countries to lead the way as they are the main source of most greenhouse gas emissions.
• Funds and technologies are directed to climate action in developing countries, as 1st world countries provide financial support to developing countries and technology is shared to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
• Monitoring the progress of climate change policies as countries are required to regularly report on their climate change policies and greenhouse gas emissions.

Question 4

What is the Conference of Parties?

Answer 4

A convention that meets every year to review and make decisions on climate action to promote the effective reduction of greenhouse gas emmissions.

Question 5

What is the Paris Agreement?

Answer 5

A legally binding international treating on climate change adopted by 191 Parties in Paris, France.
Parties are required to develop their own set of targets and measures.

This agreement is a product of a meeting by the Conference of Parties

Question 6

Institutional Limitations: Limitations of international agreements and cooperation.

Answer 6

The implementation of a convention is dependent on the parties’ commitment to act. As countries have different priorities, the commitment to act also varies. For example, President Trump withdrew the USA from the Paris Agreement as he believed it would undermine the country’s economy.

Question 7

Low carbon technologies

Answer 7

Carbon Capture/Utilisation/Storage

Question 8

Carbon Capture

Answer 8

The process of separating and capturing carbon dioxide form power plants and other indusrial sources of emissions.

Question 9

Carbon Utilisation

Answer 9

The use of CO2 as a raw material to produce useful materials.
Products can be sold for profits.

For example, cement can be made from stored CO2

Question 10

Carbon Storage

Answer 10

After CO2 is stored for a long period of time to prevent it from reaching the atmosphere through storage and utilisation.

Question 11

Limitations of Carbon Capture/Storage/Utilisatoin

Answer 11

Economic and Technological

Question 12

Economic limitations of Carbon Capture/Storage/Utilisation

Answer 12

It is expensive and requires public funding and subsidies for private research and devekopment.
For example: in 2020 the Singapore Govt announced that $49M will be set aside to fund low-carbon energy research.

Question 13

Technological limitations of CCUS

Answer 13

There are concerns that stored carbon may leak out over time.

Question 14

Clean energy Sources

Answer 14

Clean energy comes from renewable sources which do not emit greenhouse gases and pollute the atmosphere. For Instance:
Solar/Hydro/Geothermal/Nuclear

Question 15

Solar energy

Answer 15

• Energy from the sun is converted into thermal or electrical energy
• The cleanest and most abundant renewable energy source available.

For e.g: By 2030, Singapore wants to increase its solar capacity to meet about 4% of Singapore’s total electricity demand, approx. 350,000 households.

Question 16

Hydroelectric Power

Answer 16

Hydropower plants capture the energy of moving water such as in rivers to generate electricity.

Question 17

Geothermal Power

Answer 17

• Derived from heat in the Earth’s crust.
• Beneath the Earth’s surface, hot rocks heat up groundwater, forming steam.
• Steam is then harnessed to generate electricity

Question 18

Nuclear Power

Answer 18

• Derived from the splitting up of radioactive atoms. This process generates heat.
• The heat then produces steam which is then harnessed to generate electricity.
• Compared to other sources of energy, it is more stable in terms of its supply.

Question 19

Economic limitations of using clean energy sources.

Answer 19

Development and construction of renewable energy technologies are expensive. It depends heavily on govt policies and financial support to make renewable energy cost-competitive.

e.g. In indonesia, installing a solar syste nay cost around 900USD to 1300 per kW, Hence solar energy only accounts for 1.7% of the country’s total electricity.

Question 20

Change in consumption pattern

Answer 20

Household consumptions of goods contribute to our carbon footprint because greenhouse gases are released during production and transportation of these goods.

Question 21

Changes in food choices

Answer 21

By eating less meats, greenhoues gases emitted by livestock.
By buying local produce, transportation distance is reduced thus the carbon emissions are reduced.

Question 22

Social Limitations of changing consumption pattern.

Answer 22

It takes a long time to change people’s mindset and consumption pattern.

Question 23

Economic limitation of changing consumption pattern.

Answer 23

Changing consumption patterns depends not only on consumer behaviour, but also on the commitment of companies to change the resources used in the production of goods. However, companies may be reluctant to change as it may reduce their profits.