Integrated and non-climate policies affecting emissions of greenhouse gases

Policies aimed at balancing energy security, environmental protection and economic development can have a positive or negative impact on mitigation. Sustainable development policies focusing on energy efficiency, dematerialization, and use of renewables support GHG mitigation objectives. Waste-management policies reduce industrial sector GHG emissions by reducing energy use through the re-use of products. Air-pollutant reduction measures can have synergy with GHG-emissions reduction when reduction is achieved by shifting to low-carbon fuels, but do not always reduce GHG emissions as many require the use of additional energy.

In addition to implementing the mitigation options discussed above, achieving sustainable development will require industrial development pathways that minimize the need for future mitigation (high agreement, medium evidence). Large companies have greater resources, and usually more incentives, to factor environmental and social considerations into their operations than small and medium enterprises (SMEs), but SMEs provide the bulk of employment and manufacturing capacity in many countries. Integrating SME development strategy into broader national strategies for development is consistent with sustainable development objectives. Energy-intensive industries are now committing to a number of measures towards human capital development, health and safety, community development etc., which are consistent with the goal of corporate social responsibility (high agreement, much evidence) [7.7; 7.8].

Co-benefits of greenhouse gas mitigation policies

The co-benefits of industrial GHG mitigation include: reduced emissions of air pollutants, and waste (which in turn reduce environmental compliance and waste disposal costs), increased production and product quality, lower maintenance and operating costs, an improved working environment, and other benefits such as decreased liability, improved public image and worker morale, and delaying or reducing capital expenditures. The reduction of energy use can indirectly contribute to reduced health impacts of air pollutants particularly where no air-pollution regulation exists (high agreement, much evidence) [7.10].