Researchers analyzed 1,500 climate protection measures using AI to identify those that have reduced CO2 the most to date. They focused on four sectors: buildings, electricity, industry and transport.
A team of researchers used machine learning to examine around 1,500 political climate protection measures. The aim was to identify those who have so far reduced CO2 emissions most effectively. The study was published in Science Magazine Science published.
AI identifies the most effective climate protection measures
The result: The researchers were able to identify 63 measures in 35 countries that made a significant contribution to reducing CO2 emissions – an average of around 19 percent. The most extensive reductions were associated with at least two or more actions.
In total, the 63 measures would have reduced 0.6 to 1.8 gigatons of CO2 equivalent. Annika Stechemesser, co-author and researcher at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, said: “The right mix of measures is more important than a large number of measures.”
The phasing out of coal-fired power stations in the UK would have worked somewhat because it was combined with pricing mechanisms such as a floor price for carbon. The end to cars with combustion engines in Norway was again effective because there were price incentives for electric cars at the same time.
Combination of machine learning with a statistical analysis approach
The researchers base their analysis on a database with around 1,500 climate protection measures that 41 countries implemented between 1998 and 2022. She evaluated 48 different categories.
“Previous assessments have typically focused on a narrow selection of prominent policies in selected countries, overlooking the hundreds of other policies,” Stechemesser said.
For their study, the researchers combined AI via machine learning with a statistical approach. This allowed them to determine emissions reductions in the four sectors that emit the most CO2: buildings, electricity, industry and transport.
They compared the results with climate protection measures from the database in order to be able to assess which individual or combined approaches were most effective in reducing emissions. The analysis deviates from conventional approaches of checking the measures individually and selecting the most important ones. However, AI made it possible to detect major changes in climate action.
According to AI: Certain climate protection measures work better in certain countries
The results show that certain measures worked better in certain areas and regions – especially in combination. Pricing measures such as an energy tax have been effective in reducing emissions associated with electricity production, particularly in countries with high income standards.
The only individual measure that would have been more effective than a mix of measures in all four sectors was taxation. According to the researchers, AI enabled them to evaluate climate protection measures in various sectors across countries for the first time. For ecologist Xu Chi from Nanjing University, the study results are alarming:
This study is a warning to countries around the world that their climate policies have so far had very limited impact. Existing policies need to be reassessed and changed.
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The article AI analyzes 1,500 climate protection measures – these are the most effective by Fabian Peters appeared first on BASIC thinking. Follow us too Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
As a Tech Industry expert, I am excited to see AI being utilized to analyze 1,500 climate protection measures and determine the most effective ones. This type of data-driven approach is crucial in addressing the urgent issue of climate change. By leveraging AI, we can identify the most impactful strategies and prioritize their implementation to maximize our efforts in combating climate change.
AI has the capability to process vast amounts of data and identify patterns that humans may not be able to discern on their own. By using AI to analyze climate protection measures, we can ensure that our resources are directed towards initiatives that will have the greatest impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change.
I believe that AI will play a crucial role in revolutionizing the way we approach environmental challenges. By harnessing the power of AI to analyze climate protection measures, we can make more informed decisions and drive meaningful change towards a more sustainable future. I look forward to seeing the results of this analysis and the positive impact it will have on our efforts to protect the planet.
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