Climate Change Mitigation — Definition

Definition

Climate-change mitigation consists of actions that reduce greenhouse-gas emissions or strengthen their removal from the atmosphere. It addresses the drivers of climate change, while adaptation reduces vulnerability to its effects.

Replacing a high-emission energy process can be mitigation; preparing a heat-response plan is primarily adaptation. Some actions can serve both purposes, but the classification depends on the mechanism.

Mitigation should be assessed through its effect on emissions and removals over a defined boundary and period. A technology label, investment announcement or installed-capacity figure alone does not establish the amount of climate benefit achieved.