Alternative pathways to the 1.5 °C target reduce the need for negative emission technologies

Mitigation scenarios that achieve the ambitious targets included in the Paris Agreement typically rely on greenhouse gas emission reductions combined with net carbon dioxide removal (CDR) from the atmosphere, mostly accomplished through large-scale application of bioenergy with carbon capture and st...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature climate change 2018-05, Vol.8 (5), p.391-397
Main Authors: van Vuuren, Detlef P., Stehfest, Elke, Gernaat, David E. H. J., van den Berg, Maarten, Bijl, David L., de Boer, Harmen Sytze, Daioglou, Vassilis, Doelman, Jonathan C., Edelenbosch, Oreane Y., Harmsen, Mathijs, Hof, Andries F., van Sluisveld, Mariësse A. E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Afforestation
Alternative energy sources
Biodiversity
Carbon capture and storage
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide removal
Carbon sequestration
Electrification
Emissions control
Energy demand
Environmental management
Food production
Gases
Greenhouse effect
Greenhouse gases
Mitigation
Removal
Renewable energy
Renewable resources
Resource management
Sustainability
Underground storage
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Summary:Mitigation scenarios that achieve the ambitious targets included in the Paris Agreement typically rely on greenhouse gas emission reductions combined with net carbon dioxide removal (CDR) from the atmosphere, mostly accomplished through large-scale application of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, and afforestation. However, CDR strategies face several difficulties such as reliance on underground CO2 storage and competition for land with food production and biodiversity protection. The question arises whether alternative deep mitigation pathways exist. Here, using an integrated assessment model, we explore the impact of alternative pathways that include lifestyle change, additional reduction of non-CO2 greenhouse gases and more rapid electrification of energy demand based on renewable energy. Although these alternatives also face specific difficulties, they are found to significantly reduce the need for CDR, but not fully eliminate it. The alternatives offer a means to diversify transition pathways to meet the Paris Agreement targets, while simultaneously benefiting other sustainability goals.
ISSN:1758-678X
1758-6798
DOI:10.1038/s41558-018-0119-8