Carbon Mitigation Strategies | Environment for UPSC 2025 (Pre & Mains) PDF Download

 Page 1


 
 
CARBON MITIGATION 
STRATEGIES 
Page 2


 
 
CARBON MITIGATION 
STRATEGIES 
 
There are three primary methods for reducing 
the amount of carbon dioxide in the 
atmosphere 
Employing energy efficiency and conservation 
practices 
Using carbon-free or reduced-carbon energy 
resources 
Capturing and storing carbon either from fossil 
fuels or from the atmosphere. 
Page 3


 
 
CARBON MITIGATION 
STRATEGIES 
 
There are three primary methods for reducing 
the amount of carbon dioxide in the 
atmosphere 
Employing energy efficiency and conservation 
practices 
Using carbon-free or reduced-carbon energy 
resources 
Capturing and storing carbon either from fossil 
fuels or from the atmosphere. 
Efficiency and Conservation 
There are many energy efficiency and 
conservation practices that reduce the 
consumption of carbon-based fuels 
(e.g., natural gas, oil, coal, or gasoline), 
decreasing carbon dioxide emissions. 
 
Page 4


 
 
CARBON MITIGATION 
STRATEGIES 
 
There are three primary methods for reducing 
the amount of carbon dioxide in the 
atmosphere 
Employing energy efficiency and conservation 
practices 
Using carbon-free or reduced-carbon energy 
resources 
Capturing and storing carbon either from fossil 
fuels or from the atmosphere. 
Efficiency and Conservation 
There are many energy efficiency and 
conservation practices that reduce the 
consumption of carbon-based fuels 
(e.g., natural gas, oil, coal, or gasoline), 
decreasing carbon dioxide emissions. 
 
Carbon-Free and Reduced-Carbon Energy Sources 
Another way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions is to use 
carbon-free or reduced-carbon sources of energy.  
Carbon-free sources of energy have their own associated 
impacts, but in general, these technologies generate 
energy without producing and emitting carbon dioxide to 
the atmosphere. 
 Carbon-free energy sources include solar power, wind 
power, geothermal energy, low-head hydropower, 
hydrokinetics (e.g., wave and tidal power), and nuclear 
power.  
Alternatively, switching from high-carbon fuels like coal and 
oil, to reduced-carbon fuels such as natural gas, will also 
result in reduced carbon dioxide emissions.  
The extent to which biomass energy is considered to be 
carbon-free or a reduced-carbon fuel depends on the type 
of biomass used and the processes by which it is 
converted to energy 
 
Page 5


 
 
CARBON MITIGATION 
STRATEGIES 
 
There are three primary methods for reducing 
the amount of carbon dioxide in the 
atmosphere 
Employing energy efficiency and conservation 
practices 
Using carbon-free or reduced-carbon energy 
resources 
Capturing and storing carbon either from fossil 
fuels or from the atmosphere. 
Efficiency and Conservation 
There are many energy efficiency and 
conservation practices that reduce the 
consumption of carbon-based fuels 
(e.g., natural gas, oil, coal, or gasoline), 
decreasing carbon dioxide emissions. 
 
Carbon-Free and Reduced-Carbon Energy Sources 
Another way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions is to use 
carbon-free or reduced-carbon sources of energy.  
Carbon-free sources of energy have their own associated 
impacts, but in general, these technologies generate 
energy without producing and emitting carbon dioxide to 
the atmosphere. 
 Carbon-free energy sources include solar power, wind 
power, geothermal energy, low-head hydropower, 
hydrokinetics (e.g., wave and tidal power), and nuclear 
power.  
Alternatively, switching from high-carbon fuels like coal and 
oil, to reduced-carbon fuels such as natural gas, will also 
result in reduced carbon dioxide emissions.  
The extent to which biomass energy is considered to be 
carbon-free or a reduced-carbon fuel depends on the type 
of biomass used and the processes by which it is 
converted to energy 
 
Carbon Capture and Sequestration 
A third option for reducing carbon dioxide in the 
atmosphere is carbon sequestration.  
Carbon sequestration involves the capture and 
storage of carbon dioxide that would otherwise 
be present in the atmosphere, contributing to 
the greenhouse effect. 
 
Carbon dioxide can be removed from the 
atmosphere and retained (stored) within plants 
and soil supporting the plants. (Natural Sinks ) 
Alternatively, carbon dioxide can be captured 
(either before or after fossil fuel is burned) and 
then be stored (sequestered) within the earth.  
( Artificial Sinks )