In the IPCC AR6 Working Group III report entitled Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change there is a chapter that deals with what individuals can do to reduce emissions.

In this context steps to radical emissions reduction they classified into Avoid-Shift-Improve options.

‘Avoid’ refers to all mitigation options that reduce unnecessary (in the sense of being not required to deliver the desired service output) energy consumption by redesigning service provisioning systems.

‘Shift’ refers to the switch to already existing competitive efficient technologies and service provisioning systems.

‘Improve’ refers to improvements in efficiency in existing technologies.

Looking at demand-side emissions reduction through this lens, research has identified the actions with the most leverage:

The greatest ‘Avoid’ potential comes from reducing long-haul aviation and providing short-distance low-carbon urban infrastructures.

The greatest ‘Shift’ potential would come from switching to plant-based diets.

The greatest ‘Improve’ potential comes from within the building sector, and in particular increased use of energy-efficient end-use technologies and passive housing. 

We absolutely have the knowledge and know-how to radically reduce emissions on a national and individual level! What is preventing people from making better low-carbon consumption choices?

I would argue this stems from low climate literacy, which is also at the heart of delayed urgent adaptation action.

As we move deeper into the climate crisis the need to improve climate literacy will become increasingly urgent.

On a scale of 1-10 how climate literate are you?

Why not start working your way down this list, which shows the top 10 emission reduction consumption choices you can make. Listed in order of greatest impact: