Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change Mitigation

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions arising from the combustion of fossil fuels, industrial processes, land-use change and agriculture have driven a long-term rise in atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. This accumulation reinforces the natural greenhouse effect, raising global temperatures and disrupting climatic systems. Observed impacts include altered precipitation patterns, sea-level rise, shifts in ecosystem distribution and increased frequency of extreme weather events. Mitigation efforts centre on decarbonisation of energy systems through the deployment of renewable sources (wind, solar, hydro), improvement of energy efficiency, electrification of transport, and development of low-carbon technologies such as carbon capture and storage (CCS). Complementary strategies encompass sustainable land management, avoidance of deforestation, restoration of degraded ecosystems and reduction of non-CO₂ gases from agriculture and waste. International agreements and national policies have set long-term targets to limit warming to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels, while respecting differentiated responsibilities and capacity. Effective mitigation demands an integrated approach that balances technological innovation, socio-economic considerations and equitable governance, ensuring that transitions support sustainable development, energy security and climate resilience.

Research from Nature Portfolio

A foundational analysis has quantified the disparity between countries’ GHG emissions and their exposure to climate impacts, revealing that many of the highest emitters are among the least vulnerable to harm, while the most climate-sensitive nations contribute minimally to global emissions. This study illustrates the persistent inequity that undermines collective mitigation efforts and highlights the need for common but differentiated responsibilities in policy design. Projections indicate that, without more ambitious action, this mismatch will widen by 2030, exacerbating global injustice and weakening incentives for high-emitting nations to reduce their carbon footprint.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change Mitigation publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in greenhouse gas emissions and climate change mitigation across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Greenhouse gases (GHGs): Atmospheric gases that trap infrared radiation, driving warming and climate change.

Decarbonisation: The process of reducing carbon intensity in energy and industrial systems to lower CO₂ emissions.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS): Technologies that capture CO₂ from point sources or the atmosphere and sequester it in geological formations.

Climate vulnerability: The degree to which a system is susceptible to adverse impacts of climate change, including exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity.

References

1. The influence of economic growth, fossil and renewable energy, technological innovation, and globalisation on carbon dioxide emissions in South Africa. Carbon Research (2024).
2. Advancing COP26 climate goals: Leveraging energy innovation, governance readiness, and socio-economic factors for enhanced climate resilience and sustainability. Journal of Cleaner Production (2023).
3. A review of trends and drivers of greenhouse gas emissions by sector from 1990 to 2018. Environmental Research Letters (2021).
4. Global mismatch between greenhouse gas emissions and the burden of climate change. Scientific Reports (2016).
5. The Rising Threat of Atmospheric CO2: A Review on the Causes, Impacts, and Mitigation Strategies. Environments (2023).