There Are Feasible Low-Cost Adaptation Options Available: IPCC Report

“Large contributions to emissions reductions with costs less than USD 20 come from solar and wind energy, energy efficiency improvements, and methane emissions reductions (coal mining, oil and gas, waste). There are feasible adaptation options that support infrastructure resilience, reliable power systems and…” According to the AYR 6 Synthesis Report, published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on March 20, there are a wide range of practical, useful, and affordable choices available to promote climate action and address the issue of climate change. 

Land use planning to achieve compact urban form, co-location of jobs and housing; supporting public transport and active mobility (e.g., walking and cycling), efficient design, construction, retrofit, and use of buildings; reducing and changing energy and material consumption and electrification in combination with low emissions sources are some of the suggestions listed in the IPCC AR6 Synthesis Report  which summarises the conclusions drawn from each of the three Working Groups' assessment reports - WGI: The Physical Science Basis; WGII: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability; and WGIII: Mitigation of Climate Change. 

On demand-side, it recommends shifting to sustainable healthy diets and reducing food loss/waste) and sustainable agricultural intensification to lower methane and nitrous oxide emissions. “Freeing up land for reforestation and ecosystem restoration using sustainably sourced agricultural and forest products, including long-lived wood products, can be used instead of more GHG-intensive products in other sectors,” notes the report.  

Development that is climate resilient is the answer. This entails combining strategies to combat climate change with those that lessen or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions in ways that have broader positive effects. 

“Access to clean energy and technologies improves health, especially for women and children; low-carbon electrification, walking, cycling and public transport enhance air quality, improve health, employment opportunities, and deliver equity. The economic benefits for people’s health from air quality improvements alone would be roughly the same, or possibly even larger than the costs of reducing or avoiding emissions. Climate resilient development becomes progressively more challenging with every increment of warming. This is why the choices made in the next few years will play a critical role in deciding our future and that of generations to come,” notes the report. It also recommends switching to electric vehicles and using alternative sources of energy. 

At both the national and international levels, India has been promoting the LiFE (Lifestyle for the Environment) idea, which places an emphasis on individuals and communities reducing wasteful consumption and making sustainable resource usage.