Why Technology Matters for Mitigation
- Technology plays a central role in climate change mitigation by reducing greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions, removing carbon from the atmosphere, improving resource efficiency, and changing how cities operate.
- Over 50% of the global population lives in urban areas, and this is projected to increase to ~70% by 2050. Urban areas therefore produce the majority of global emissions, making technology-based urban solutions essential.
- Climate-mitigation technologies include smart-city systems, low-carbon transport, smart grids, carbon-capture systems, energy-monitoring technologies, and emerging battery innovations.
- Think of mitigation technologies as “energy translators”:
- They help us translate dirty, inefficient processes into cleaner, automated, low-emission alternatives.
Smart Cities: Socially Embedded Mitigation Technologies
- A smart city uses digital technologies (sensors, Internet of Things, software, real-time data) to improve efficiency, manage resources sustainably, and lower emissions.
- Smart-city systems collect data from buildings, roads, energy grids, transport networks, waste systems, and consumers, then adjust services to reduce waste and pollution.
- Smart cities help reduce emissions in the sectors responsible for the most GHG output: transport, electricity production, waste, and buildings.
Applications of Smart-City Technology for Mitigation
- Real-time public transport apps reduce private car use by optimizing bus and train routes.
- Sensors for traffic flow lower fuel consumption by reducing congestion.
- Smart parking systems direct drivers to the nearest spot, reducing time spent idling.
- Apps guiding citizens to recycling centers increase recycling rates and reduce waste emissions.
- Integrated energy-use dashboards help households monitor and reduce electricity consumption.
- Smart appliance scheduling (washing machines, EV charging) allows devices to run when renewable electricity availability is highest.
- Smart waste-management systems optimize collection routes, reducing vehicle emissions.
Smart-city technologies are low-cost but high-impact because they rely mainly on information flow, not large physical infrastructure.
Case studySingapore’s Smart Transport Technology (Beeline)
- Singapore trialed Beeline, a crowd-sourced mobile app for public transport, in 2015.
- Government data identified areas of high transport demand and shared it with private bus operators.
- The optimized routes helped reduce private car use, improving air quality and cutting emissions.
- Singapore is a global leader in using smart-city tools to reduce congestion, improve mobility, and lower carbon output.
Smart Grids
- A smart grid is an electricity distribution network that uses digital technology, automation, smart meters, and sensors to balance energy supply and demand efficiently.
- Smart grids can automatically detect faults, reroute electricity, prevent blackouts, and integrate renewable power more smoothly.
How Smart Grids Mitigate Climate Change
- Improve energy efficiency by reducing transmission losses.
- Reduce reliance on fossil-fuel power plants by integrating solar and wind more effectively.
- Support electric-vehicle infrastructure by enabling flexible charging schedules.
- Lower consumer demand during peak hours through dynamic pricing and real-time energy-use feedback.
- Ensure grid stability even with intermittent renewables.
In the USA, over 75% of households now have smart meters, forming a major step towards a fully integrated smart grid.
