ESS HL topic 6.3 Climate change mitigation and adaptation (new syllabus)

Non-governmental stakeholders (6.3.6)

Organizations and groups not part of government that influence climate policy and action. Example: Greenpeace campaigns pressuring corporations to reduce fossil fuel investments

Economic measures (6.3.6)

Financial tools and policies used to encourage emission reductions through market mechanisms. Example: California's cap-and-trade system allowing companies to buy and sell emission permits

Carbon pricing (6.3.6)

Assigning a cost to carbon emissions to make polluting activities more expensive. Example: New Zealand charging agricultural producers fees based on livestock methane emissions

Emissions trading (6.3.6)

A market system where companies can buy and sell permits representing allowable emissions. Example: The European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) covering power plants and factories across 31 countries

Subsidies (6.3.6)

Government financial assistance given to support specific industries or activities. Example: Germany providing payments to homeowners who install rooftop solar panels

Tariffs (6.3.6)

Taxes imposed on imported goods, often used to protect domestic industries or discourage harmful practices. Example: Proposed taxes on products from countries without carbon pricing mechanisms

Legislation (6.3.6)

Laws passed by governing bodies that mandate specific actions or prohibit certain behaviors. Example: Costa Rica's law banning single-use plastics to reduce petroleum consumption

Goal setting commitments (6.3.6)

Voluntary targets organizations establish to reduce their environmental impact. Example: Microsoft pledging to become carbon negative by 2030

B Corp branding (6.3.6)

Certification for companies meeting high standards of social and environmental performance. Example: Patagonia certified as a B Corporation for sustainable business practices

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (6.3.7)

International environmental treaty adopted in 1992 to combat dangerous human interference with the climate system. Example: UNFCCC coordinates annual Conference of the Parties meetings where nations negotiate climate agreements

Reforestation (6.3.11)

Replanting trees in areas where forests were recently cut down or damaged. Example: Brazil restoring sections of degraded Atlantic Forest

Wetland restoration (6.3.11)

Returning drained or damaged wetlands to their natural state to enhance carbon storage. Example: United States restoring Everglades marshlands that sequester carbon in peat

Tragedy of the commons (6.3.14)

Situation where individuals acting in self-interest deplete or degrade a shared resource. Example: Nations continuing to emit greenhouse gases into the shared atmosphere despite collective harm