The Climate Fix: Make What’s Important Measurable

Climate change is the priority global concern that has received substantial funding for reduction efforts and makes demands on governments for change. The first climate treaty, the Kyoto Protocol (2008), was founded on reducing greenhouse emissions at least 5% below 1990 levels, however the last...

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Main Authors: Phil Turner, Ross Barnard
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: ORDT: Organization for Research Development and Training 2025-05-01
Series:Journal of Interdisciplinary Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journalofinterdisciplinarysciences.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2-The-Climate-Fix-Make-What%E2%80%99s-Important-Measurable.pdf
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author Phil Turner
Ross Barnard
author_facet Phil Turner
Ross Barnard
author_sort Phil Turner
collection DOAJ
description Climate change is the priority global concern that has received substantial funding for reduction efforts and makes demands on governments for change. The first climate treaty, the Kyoto Protocol (2008), was founded on reducing greenhouse emissions at least 5% below 1990 levels, however the last decade saw a 15% increase in CO2 emissions. Achieving 1990 levels should be the first target in Net Zero Emissions, equating to a reduction in annual CO2 emissions by 12.8 Gt, which this paper considers the “Global Target”. We propose that three key actions are necessary if this target is to be achievable: First, the use of Absolute Emissions, not Emission Intensity, as the key metric. Absolute Emissions provide transparency and facilitate responsible investment, whereas Emission Intensity is misleading because it creates an illusion of lower emissions whilst allowing increases in actual Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. Second, measurement and reporting of Absolute Emissions against the Global Target for any GHG-producing process and against the respective country, sector, and industry targets. Third, implement data-based solutions by identifying significant emission contributors and designing reduction or elimination protocols based on this identification. An example of removing inefficient motor vehicles to achieve 14% of the Global Target is given, together with examples of other key emissions sources.
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spelling doaj-art-3cc2ebd9c8f84528a7175233e80492ea2025-08-20T02:14:02ZengORDT: Organization for Research Development and TrainingJournal of Interdisciplinary Sciences2594-34052025-05-01912835The Climate Fix: Make What’s Important MeasurablePhil Turner0Ross Barnard1Axiom ESG, AustraliaSchool of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, AustraliaClimate change is the priority global concern that has received substantial funding for reduction efforts and makes demands on governments for change. The first climate treaty, the Kyoto Protocol (2008), was founded on reducing greenhouse emissions at least 5% below 1990 levels, however the last decade saw a 15% increase in CO2 emissions. Achieving 1990 levels should be the first target in Net Zero Emissions, equating to a reduction in annual CO2 emissions by 12.8 Gt, which this paper considers the “Global Target”. We propose that three key actions are necessary if this target is to be achievable: First, the use of Absolute Emissions, not Emission Intensity, as the key metric. Absolute Emissions provide transparency and facilitate responsible investment, whereas Emission Intensity is misleading because it creates an illusion of lower emissions whilst allowing increases in actual Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. Second, measurement and reporting of Absolute Emissions against the Global Target for any GHG-producing process and against the respective country, sector, and industry targets. Third, implement data-based solutions by identifying significant emission contributors and designing reduction or elimination protocols based on this identification. An example of removing inefficient motor vehicles to achieve 14% of the Global Target is given, together with examples of other key emissions sources. https://journalofinterdisciplinarysciences.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2-The-Climate-Fix-Make-What%E2%80%99s-Important-Measurable.pdfclimate changeabsolute emissionstransparencyglobal targetsdata-based solutions
spellingShingle Phil Turner
Ross Barnard
The Climate Fix: Make What’s Important Measurable
Journal of Interdisciplinary Sciences
climate change
absolute emissions
transparency
global targets
data-based solutions
title The Climate Fix: Make What’s Important Measurable
title_full The Climate Fix: Make What’s Important Measurable
title_fullStr The Climate Fix: Make What’s Important Measurable
title_full_unstemmed The Climate Fix: Make What’s Important Measurable
title_short The Climate Fix: Make What’s Important Measurable
title_sort climate fix make what s important measurable
topic climate change
absolute emissions
transparency
global targets
data-based solutions
url https://journalofinterdisciplinarysciences.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2-The-Climate-Fix-Make-What%E2%80%99s-Important-Measurable.pdf
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