Climate change is one of the most critical challenges facing humanity today. The process of change unleashed by the rapid rise of atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions, historically and today, has the capacity to alter our economic systems, ecological networks and social relationships.
To minimize the adverse impacts of climate change, significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are needed on an urgent basis. Yet achieving these reductions will be challenging given current reliance on fossil fuel–based energy systems for the achievement of economic development. Combating climate change therefore requires finding answers to fundamental questions such as:
How do we significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while still meeting the growing energy needs of developing countries?
How to we reduce the vulnerability of communities to the impacts of a changing climate?
How do we do this on an urgent basis?
Creative policy responses based on solid research, shared knowledge and strong partnerships are needed to provide answers to these questions.
IISD is working to provide progressive policy solutions in North America and at the global level that are supported by individuals, companies and governments that have the capacity to take concrete actions. Our work includes:
Developing well-designed, market-based mechanisms—such as effective emission trading systems—to reduce the costs of emission reductions, incentivize the deployment of low-carbon energy technologies and encourage technology transfer to less developed countries.
Identifying ways in which trade policy can effectively contribute to climate mitigation efforts and areas of potential conflict between the global climate and trade regimes.
Promoting sustainable agriculture and forestry practices to simultaneously enhance carbon storage and reduce vulnerability to the impacts of a changing global climate.
Providing intelligence, advice and analysis to governments and private sector clients on the continual evolution of national and international climate policy.
As well, through our work in the area of adaptation and risk reduction, we are:
Designing and implementing tools, actions and policies able to help communities and governments in developed and developing countries prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate change.
Understanding the potential for climatic changes to exacerbate social tensions and violent conflicts—including the role that adaptation actions may play in either promoting or undermining peace-building efforts.
|
|
||
|
|
||