What are climate change policies

Climate change policies refers to laws implemented by a country, a state or a group of countries, such as the European Union, which have the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero by a certain date. This is done to ensure that the world limits global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The EU, for example, aims to become a net-zero region by 2050, with some states, such as Sweden, aiming for this goal slightly earlier, by 2045.

This will be done through a number of measures, such as cutting emissions from the transport, energy and building industries.

Climate change policies are not only about promoting renewable power sources and electric cars, with energy efficiency and plastic-use reduction playing an important role, as well.

Farming is another important industry that produces vast amounts of methane, especially through raising livestock. While it's true that farmers in France managed to put these emissions to good use, creating fuel for their equipment, it's clearly better not to have these emissions released in the first place. This is where climate change policies could help us develop a more sustainable farming sector and adopt vertical farming as the agriculture of the future.

Why we need climate change policies

Some climate experts believe that, by reaching net-zero emissions by mid-century, we will be able to prevent disastrous events that can put our lives in danger, but to do so, we need strong climate change policies. This means that governments need to act and implement laws that prevent the release of large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions.

At the same time, authorities should be helping those who want to adopt clean power sources and switch to more energy efficient gear at home and in the industries.

Climate change-related events are costing some of the countries in the world vast amounts of money, which is why climate change policies are crucial for these territories, but not only, as sometimes, these events can be interconnected.

In 2022, it was found that the U.S., China, Russia, Brazil, and India were the five states that caused a global 6 trillion-dollar climate damage loss. Furthermore, these losses were mostly felt by poorer nations, which are those that contribute the least to the climate problem.

This is why, after deciding at last year's COP27 on a climate damage fund for affected nations, tens of countries have met in March in order to discuss more details about how much money will be offered as compensation.

This can also belong in the climate change policies category and it is a very important one for nations that want to be a part of the green future, but can't financially.

Types of climate change policies

There are multiple kinds of climate change policies or climate regulatory actions and they vary from country to country. However, there are some actions that are implemented somewhat worldwide, as they are almost unanimously accepted as being greatly beneficial for the planet and for us.

One such policy refers to the phaseout of global warming chemicals, known as Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are being used by things like air conditioners and refrigerators. Their warming potential is as much as hundreds of thousands of times greater than that of carbon dioxide, which is why they are a big part of climate change policies worldwide.

The US, for example, pledged to reduce the use of HFC chemicals by 85% by 2036 and authorities believe that, if these are to be phased out globally, we could reduce global warming by 2100 by 0.5 degrees Celsius.

The electrification of the transport sector is also part of the list of climate change policies adopted worldwide and it refers to personal, public and freight transport.

Battery-powered cars, trucks, buses, boats and planes and their hydrogen counterparts are some of the ways that are currently being implemented worldwide to reduce the emissions from one of the most polluting industries on our planet.

This will make travelling and goods transportation more sustainable, as the transport sector accounted for 37% of the global greenhouse gas emissions in 2021, according to IEA experts.

Promoting and developing green power sources, such as solar panels, wind turbines and hydro power plants, are also climate change policies that allow our modern societies to function properly, while ensuring that our future isn't jeopardized by polluting fossil fuels.

The US and the EU are two green power champions that were able to source most of their necessary powered last year from clean power sources.

Again, poorer nations will need help in order to adopt renewables on a large scale, which is why a climate change fund is important so that the whole world can decarbonize equally.

Climate change policies around the world

Some climate change policies around the world include the US's pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50-52% in 2030 compared to 2005 levels, while the EU will only allow the sale of electric and e-fuel-powered vehicles from 2035. Also in the US, 40% of the federal investments will be redirected towards investments in climate and clean energy for disadvantaged communities.

Carbon capture technologies are also an important thing to mention when it comes to climate change policies, as they allow us to remove the carbon emissions that are in the atmosphere and even to prevent the further release of more toxic gases. Advancements are being made in this field, as well, since companies are looking at ways to store CO2 in the oceans and state officials should be concerned about lowering the impact of fossil-powered plants, before they eventually get decommissioned.

Reducing the use of damaging materials, such as single-use plastics, and recycling as many products as possible are also part of climate change policies around the world and researchers are trying to help us repurpose disposable things around our household. This is critical, as waste accumulation, especially of plastics, is a serious threat to our ecosystems and poses a great danger to the biodiversity.

If implemented correctly and timely, climate change policies can help us reduce our carbon footprint, while powering our society with clean, green power and helping us correctly dispose of the dangerous waste that we generate.

Climate change policies need green technology innovations and vice-versa for us to succeed and to help us develop lasting-green societies.