Climate and society
Most climate specialists these days are convinced that the world must deal with climate change in two different ways. The first is to reduce the human influence on climate and secondly, we must adapt to the changes. This requires a combination of both strategies. The NCCR Climate promotes these two approaches through it research projects. We examine the relationships between climate policies and the costs to society and the economy, and we offer suggestions for political solutions. Furthermore, we determine how and in which areas Switzerland must adjust in order to face climate change.
The NCCR Climate helps society deal with climatic change. It supplies the scientific basis for decision making in politics and in economy.
The 2000-watt-societyEfficient and sustainable use of energy in Switzerland is the aim of the 2000-watt-society vision. The goal is to limit the yearly per capita energy consumption up to the year 2050 to an average of 2000 watts. The NCCR Climate is studying which technological strategies are necessary in order to achieve this ambitious goal. We evaluate the associated costs and benefits and define the necessary political measures to be implemented. EconomyIn the short-term, it may seem less expensive, from a business point of view, to adapt to climate change using technical measures. In the long-term, however, a company's efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions can end up being profitable. Sustainable companies can expect to be more competitive and to gain a technological edge. We use model calculations to determine the effect of the different ways of dealing with climate change on the economy. RiskClimatic change brings about many risks that are to some extent difficult to estimate. With a sudden climate change or an increase in extreme events such as storms or floods, Switzerland could be faced with unexpected challenges within a short period of time. The NCCR Climate shows how we can minimise society's vulnerability and why we should use a cautious approach with respect to rapid climate changes. Politics2012 is the target date for the measures agreed upon in the Kyoto protocol for the reduction of greenhouse gases. After, there's no arguing the fact that international climate policies will still be needed. But what kind of policies, how to achieve consensus and what role will voluntary measures play? We address these questions by providing possible solutions and by developing political concepts for a "post-Kyoto world". |
Swiss National Science Foundation.