Carbon pricing and nature as critical climate solutions.
Carbon pricing, either through carbon taxes, voluntary carbon credits, or emissions trading systems, has long been recognized by scientists and economists as a key tool for rapidly reducing carbon emissions. There’s ample evidence that carbon pricing effectively lowers emissions while benefiting societies economically but resistance still holds back its widespread adoption. Such instruments are in place in 46 countries, covering a significant portion of global emissions. However, the lack of a worldwide framework has led to carbon leakage, where industries move to regions with lower carbon prices. To overcome this issue, experts argue for a global carbon-pricing agreement and hope to achieve an agreement at COP28.
A global carbon-pricing agreement is urgently needed to address climate change effectively. Establishing a realistic starting point for global carbon pricing and gradually increasing minimum prices can lead to a visible, economically viable, and politically acceptable path toward reducing carbon emission and mitigating climate change with the potential to bridge disparities between developed and developing countries and fund adaptation efforts in the latter.
Nature 4 Climate has put together a paper to give a positive counter to sensationalist negative media coverage targeted at nature-based solutions. They emphasized that scrutiny is always welcome, but blanket criticism is counterproductive. The report examines 7 myths about nature-based solutions and 11 about nature-based carbon credits. The truth is that we can only achieve the global climate goals of the Paris Agreement by scaling nature-based solutions. Nature and climate are connected. While climate change is expected to become the biggest driver of biodiversity loss, nature’s continued degradation is dramatically contributing to global GHG emissions.
Nature-based solutions empower communities to leverage their traditional knowledge and practices, fostering their ability to sustain and amplify their impact by exchanging money and resources between parties. These solutions safeguard ecosystems and tackle pressing social challenges while generating economic advantages. Such approaches are vital for enhancing societal resilience, adaptation and coexistence with our environment.
Apple unveiled its decarbonization progress in a captivating fashion, almost as if mother nature herself had graced their headquarters with her presence. In 2020, Apple committed to achieving net zero for its supply chain and products by 2030 – through innovations in materials, clean energy, low-carbon shipping, and restoring natural ecosystems.
Apple has defined a science-based pathway to minimize its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which has been reviewed and validated by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi). Apple’s proactive stance underscores the multifaceted approach adopted by some major corporations in addressing climate change. They are making substantial efforts to significantly reduce emissions while investing in nature-based projects to mitigate those emissions that cannot be avoided.
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