Compile all the previous sections under under one file including the findings/analysis page, conclusion page and references page for all the sources you have used in your research paper. Page Count: 9

Norman 13

The Effectiveness of Government Policies in Reducing Carbon Emissions and Mitigating the Impacts of Climate Change

Submitted by: Kalani Norman

Student ID: 0664375

Course: ENG-101

Date: May 5, 2023

Submitted to: Prof. Bushra Munawar

1. Introduction

Climate change is an issue of utmost importance, and its impacts are felt worldwide. With the rise in temperatures, more frequent extreme weather events, and the loss of critical ecosystems, the need to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change has become increasingly urgent. Government policies play a crucial role in mitigating the effects of climate change and decreasing carbon emissions. In recent years, many governments worldwide have implemented policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a more sustainable future. The effectiveness of these policies in achieving their goals is a topic of significant importance. The success or failure of government policies in reducing emissions and mitigating climate change impacts will profoundly impact the future of our planet and its inhabitants. 

This study will employ a qualitative approach involving a critical analysis of pre-existing data and studies related to the effectiveness of government policies in mitigating the effects of climate change and lessening carbon emissions. The research will focus on several key areas, including carbon pricing, renewable energy incentives, and emissions standards, among others. The study will seek to identify the strengths and weaknesses of these policies and evaluate their success in achieving their intended outcomes.

Many studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of government policies in mitigating the effects of climate change and reducing carbon emissions. These studies have focused on various policies, including carbon pricing, renewable energy incentives, and emissions standards, among others. For instance, a study by the World Bank found that carbon pricing policies like emissions trading schemes and carbon taxes have been effective in reducing carbon emissions in some cases (Worldbank). However, the study also found that the success of these strategies depends on a variety of factors, including the carbon price level, the policy coverage, and the use of revenue generated from carbon pricing.

Numerous studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of government policies in mitigating the impacts of climate change and reducing carbon emissions. For example, a study by Machaqueiro found that renewable energy incentives have been successful in reducing carbon emissions in some cases. The study also found that the success of these policies depends on a variety of factors, including the level of the incentive, the type of renewable energy technology, and the availability of resources.

This paper argues that while government policies have been effective in reducing carbon emissions in some cases, more needs to be done to address the impacts of climate change. The study concludes that a comprehensive approach is needed, including both mitigation and adaptation strategies, to achieve the goal of a more sustainable future.

1. Research Questions

• In what ways have government policies been effective in reducing carbon emissions?

• Who has been most impacted by climate change, and how have government policies addressed their concerns?

• Which government policies have been most successful in reducing emissions, and why?

• How have international agreements and collaborations influenced government policies on climate change?

• In what ways can government policies be improved to better address the impacts of climate change?

1. Literature Review

Climate change is a pressing issue globally, and the need to lessen carbon emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change is increasingly urgent. Government policies play an essential role in mitigating the impact of climate change and decreasing carbon emissions. This literature review will critically analyze existing studies to evaluate government policies' effectiveness in mitigating climate change impacts and reducing carbon emissions. The literature review is a crucial component of research papers as it provides comprehensive information to the reader regarding the subject matter. The objective of this study is to examine two literary works on the subject of environmentally friendly and sustainable energy, as well as the greenhouse gas emissions presently present within buildings. The aforementioned publications are titled "Optimization methods applied to renewable and sustainable energy: A review," authored by Banos et al. in 2011, and "Embodied GHG emissions of buildings-The hidden challenge for effective climate change mitigation" authored by Rock et al. in 2020. The initial article provides an overview of the present status of computational optimization techniques in the domain of environmentally friendly and sustainable energy. The subsequent work highlights the covert matter of greenhouse gas emissions that are embodied within buildings

Carbon Pricing Policies

Carbon pricing policies like carbon taxes and emissions trading schemes have successfully reduced carbon emissions in some cases. The success of these policies depends on numerous factors like the carbon price level, the policy coverage, and the use of revenue generated from carbon pricing. In a study by Gao et al. (2018), carbon pricing policies were found to be effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in different economic sectors. The study also found that policies like emissions trading schemes and carbon taxes could be used to raise revenue and incentivize emission reductions.

Renewable Energy Incentives

Renewable energy incentives have also successfully reduced carbon emissions in some cases. In a study by Solangi et al. (2011), renewable energy policies were found to be effective in increasing the adoption of renewable energy technologies and reducing carbon emissions. The study also found that the success of these policies depends on a variety of factors, like the incentive level, the type of renewable energy technology, and the availability of resources. Furthermore, the study identified the importance of establishing clear and consistent policies that provide long-term incentives for developing and deploying renewable energy technologies. This is because investors and companies require certainty in order to make long-term investments and commitments to these technologies. The study also found that renewable energy policies are most effective when they are designed to meet specific national or regional energy goals, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions or increasing energy security.

Emissions Standards

Emissions standards are another policy tool government use to lessen carbon emissions. In a research by Preston et al. (2011), emissions standards were found to be effective in reducing emissions from the transportation and industrial sectors. The study also identified risks associated with emissions standards, such as the potential for industries to relocate to areas with weaker environmental regulations. In addition, Preston et al. (2011) argue that vulnerability mapping can be a useful tool for identifying areas and populations that are mainly susceptible to the impacts of climate change. By mapping vulnerability, policymakers and other stakeholders can better understand the complex interactions between environmental, social, and economic factors that contribute to vulnerability and can develop targeted interventions to mitigate these factors. The study identified a range of vulnerability mapping approaches, including quantitative and qualitative methods.

Local Government Response

Local governments also play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions and mitigating climate change impacts. In a study by Baker et al. (2012), local government climate adaptation plans were evaluated. The study found that local governments have successfully identified climate risks and developed adaptation plans. However, the study also identified challenges like limited resources and expertise in implementing adaptation measures.

The literature reviewed indicates that government policies such as carbon pricing, renewable energy incentives, and emissions standards can effectively reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change impacts. However, the success of these policies depends on numerous factors like policy design, cultural factors, and available resources. Optimization methods can be used to identify the most effective policy mix to achieve climate change goals. Local governments also play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions and mitigating climate change impacts.

Optimization methods applied to renewable and sustainable energy

The growth of farms, industry, and home activities has led to a big rise in the need for energy, which has caused greenhouse gas pollution and fuel prices to rise. Experts are trying to figure out how to use natural energy sources that can be used repeatedly in the best way. But making green energy isn't always possible, which is one of its biggest problems. This makes it hard to use, and it needs to be optimized for planning and control to work well. Banos et al. looked at how computers are being used to improve green and sustainable energy right now. The writers talk about how big computer hardware and software changes are making optimization problems easier for experts to solve.

The article gives a full overview of the optimization methods used in the field of green energy, such as metaheuristics, evolutionary algorithms, artificial neural networks, and fuzzy logic. Optimization methods have also led to new ways to deal with the problems of putting green energy into power systems. One of these is called "demand response." It forces people to change when they use energy to times when green energy is cheap and available. Another way is to store energy (Banos). This makes it possible to save extra green energy and use it when it is needed. The authors say that optimization methods need to be changed for each application, considering the type of green energy source, the size of the system, and how hard the problem is. The writers conclude that using optimization methods has helped to lower the cost of energy, improve the efficiency of systems that change energy, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Embodied GHG emissions of buildings–The hidden challenge for effective climate change mitigation

The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from buildings constitutes a significant aspect of the issue and is a crucial component in the endeavor to combat climate change. The focus has predominantly centered on pragmatic energy consumption and its associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions rather than the GHG emissions stemming from the production and processing of construction materials. Rock and colleagues conducted a comprehensive examination of over 650 case studies on life cycle assessment to investigate global patterns of greenhouse gas emissions throughout the lifespan of buildings (Röck). The research findings indicate a distinct declining pattern in greenhouse gas emissions throughout the lifespan. This can be attributed to the improvement in practical energy performance. However, the research findings indicate an increase in the proportional and numerical proportions of embodied greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, constituting a significant portion of the overall emissions throughout the lifecycle. Buildings that adhere to the present energy performance standards typically exhibit an average proportion of absorbed greenhouse gas emissions that ranges from 20% to 25%. The aforementioned figure experiences an increase to approximately 45-50% in the context of buildings that exhibit a high degree of energy efficiency and surpasses 90% in instances that are considered to be exceptional (Röck). The authors emphasize the significance of promptly minimizing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from buildings through the optimization of practical and embodied impacts, as well as the enhancement of clarity and comparability in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies.

The research also demonstrates the variability of greenhouse gas emissions embodied in different regions. China, India, and Russia exhibit higher levels of embodied emissions due to their significant reliance on carbon-intensive industries for the production of building materials. The findings indicate the significance of incorporating embedded pollution within building regulations and legislation and promoting the adoption of low-carbon building materials and techniques (Röck). The research findings indicate a necessity for a comprehensive approach that encompasses the entire lifespan of buildings, encompassing their construction, operation, and demolition phases. The proposed approach ought to incorporate principles of circular economies, such as the reuse and return of construction materials, to mitigate waste and environmental contamination.

Banos and colleagues (2011) discuss the significant advancements in computer optimization techniques that are facilitating the resolution of optimization problems in the realm of sustainable energy by professionals. Rock et al. emphasize the significance of promptly the significance of promptly minimizing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from buildings by optimizing practical and embodied effects and enhancing clarity and comparability in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies. In general, these works contribute significantly to the knowledge base of the academic community and provide a comprehensive understanding of the obstacles and opportunities within sustainable energy and construction domains.

Works Cited

Baker, Ingrid, et al. "Local government response to the impacts of climate change: An evaluation of local climate adaptation plans." Landscape and urban planning 107.2 (2012): 127-136.

Banos, Raul, et al. "Optimization methods applied to renewable and sustainable energy: A review." Renewable and sustainable energy reviews 15.4 (2011): 1753-1766.

Gao, Jinghong, et al. "Greenhouse gas emissions reduction in different economic sectors: Mitigation measures, health co-benefits, knowledge gaps, and policy implications." Environmental pollution 240 (2018): 683-698.

Machaqueiro, Raquel Rodrigues. "Environmentality by the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change: Neoliberal ethos and the production of environmental subjects in Acre and Mozambique<? AQ1?>." Environment and Planning E: Nature and Space 3.2 (2020): 442-461.

Preston, Benjamin L., Emma J. Yuen, and Richard M. Westaway. "Putting vulnerability to climate change on the map: a review of approaches, benefits, and risks." Sustainability science 6 (2011): 177-202.

Röck, Martin, et al. "Embodied GHG emissions of buildings–The hidden challenge for effective climate change mitigation." Applied Energy 258 (2020): 114107.

Solangi, K. H., et al. "A review on global solar energy policy." Renewable and sustainable energy reviews 15.4 (2011): 2149-2163.

Worldbank. What Is Carbon Pricing. n.d. https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/pricing-carbon. 14 April 2023.