What factors influence mitigative capacity ?

Harald Winkler, Kevin Baumert, Odile Blanchard (), Sarah Burch and John Robinson
Additional contact information
Kevin Baumert: WRI - World Resources Institute - World Resources Institute
Odile Blanchard: LEPII-EDDEN - équipe EDDEN - LEPII - Laboratoire d'Economie de la Production et de l'Intégration Internationale - UPMF - Université Pierre Mendès France - Grenoble 2 - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
Sarah Burch: UBC - University of British Columbia [Canada]
John Robinson: UBC - University of British Columbia [Canada]

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Abstract: This article builds on Yohe's seminal piece on mitigative capacity which elaborates 'determinants' of mitigative capacity, also reflected in the IPCC's third assessment report. We propose a revised definition, where mitigative capacity is a country's ability to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions or enhance natural sinks. By "ability" we mean skills, competencies, fitness, and proficiencies that a country has attained which can contribute to GHG emissions mitigation. A conceptual framework is proposed, linking mitigative capacity to a country's sustainable development path, and grouping the factors influencing mitigative capacity into three main sets: economic factors, institutional ones, and technology. Both quantitative and qualitative analysis of factors is presented, showing how these factors vary across countries. We suggest that it is the interplay between the three economic factors - income, abatement cost and opportunity cost - that shape mitigative capacity. We find that income is an important economic factor influencing mitigative capacity, while abatement cost is important in turning mitigative capacity into actual mitigation. Technology is a critical mitigative capacity, including the ability to absorb existing climate friendly technologies or to develop innovative ones. Institutional factors that promote mitigative capacity include the effectiveness of government regulation, clear market rules, a skilled work force and public awareness. We briefly investigate such as high abatement cost or lack of political willingness, that prevent mitigative capacity from being translated into mitigation.

Keywords: climate change; climate policy; mitigative capacity; changement climatique; capacité d'atténuation; politique environnementale (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2007-01
Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-00010386v1
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (13)

Published in Energy Policy, 2007, 35 (1), pp.692-703

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