Responses: Mitigation

Reducing the amount of future climate change is called mitigation of climate change. The IPCC defines mitigation as activities that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, or enhance the capacity ofcarbon sinks to absorb GHGs from the atmosphere. Many countries, both developing anddeveloped, are aiming to use cleaner, less polluting, technologies.^:192 Use of these technologies aids mitigation and could result in substantial reductions in CO₂ emissions. Policies include targets for emissions reductions, increased use of renewable energy, and increased energy efficiency. Studies indicate substantial potential for future reductions in emissions. Since even in the most optimistic scenario, fossil fuels are going to be used for years to come, mitigation may also involve carbon capture and storage, a process that traps CO₂ produced by factories and gas or coal power stationsand then stores it, usually underground