How to reduce emissions from consumption
Göran Finnveden, Professor of Environmental Strategic Analysis, will be reporting on instruments for climate change mitigation during the ongoing COP29 climate summit in Baku.
"Being able to communicate directly with politicians and other opinion leaders increases the chances of being heard", he says.
The report is a survey of various possible policy instruments for reducing consumption-based emissions and assesses their feasibility and effectiveness by experts from the Nordic countries.
What is the most important thing you want to emphasise in the report?
"Some conclusions are that there are many measures that are cost-effective and possible to implement, that there is no single measure that is sufficient, but that combinations of measures are needed, preferably in policy packages that contain both sticks and carrots and that support groups that may be disproportionately affected."
Examples of current policy instruments mentioned by Göran Finnveden are consumption taxes, using public procurement as a tool and removing subsidies and measures that lead to increased emissions.
How important is the issue of consumption-based emissions compared to other types of emissions?
"It is important to keep track of consumption-based emissions, which for rich countries are significantly larger than territorial emissions. Policies that affect consumption-based emissions can be cost-effective and efficient and should therefore be utilised".
What do you hope to achieve with the meeting?
"To raise awareness of the many opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that can be utilised if the political will exists."
What are your hopes for the overall outcome of the climate summit?
"That countries, companies and other actors will show that they stand by the commitments they have made and continue to work to slow down climate change."
Text: Christer Gummeson ( gummeson@kth.se )