Translating a Global Emission-Reduction Framework for Subnational Climate Action: A Case Study from the State of Georgia

Authors

Marilyn A. Brown, Georgia Institute of TechnologyFollow
Blair Beasley
Fikret Atalay
Kim Cobb, Georgia Institute of TechnologyFollow
Puneet Dwivedi, University of GeorgiaFollow
Jeffrey Hubbs, Georgia Institute of TechnologyFollow
David M. Iwaniec, Georgia State UniversityFollow
Sudhagar Mani, University of GeorgiaFollow
Daniel Matisoff, Georgia Institute of TechnologyFollow
Jacqueline Mohan, University of GeorgiaFollow
Jeffrey Mullen, University of GeorgiaFollow
Michael Oxman, Georgia Institute of TechnologyFollow
Daniel Rochberg, Emory UniversityFollow
Michael Rodgers, Georgia Institute of TechnologyFollow
Marshall Shepherd, University of GeorgiaFollow
Richard Simmons, Georgia Institute of TechnologyFollow
Laura Taylor, Georgia Institute of TechnologyFollow
L. Beril Toktay, Georgia Institute of TechnologyFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-15-2021

Abstract

Subnational entities are recognizing the need to systematically examine options for reducing their carbon footprints. However, few robust and comprehensive analyses are available that lay out how US states and regions can most effectively contribute. This paper describes an approach developed for Georgia—a state in the southeastern United States called “Drawdown Georgia”, our research involves (1) understanding Georgia’s baseline carbon footprint and trends, (2) identifying the universe of Georgia-specific carbon-reduction solutions that could be impactful by 2030, (3) estimating the greenhouse gas reduction potential of these high-impact 2030 solutions for Georgia, and (4) estimating associated costs and benefits while also considering how the solutions might impact societal priorities, such as economic development opportunities, public health, environmental benefits, and equity. We began by examining the global solutions identified by Project Drawdown. The resulting 20 high-impact 2030 solutions provide a strategy for reducing Georgia’s carbon footprint in the next decade using market-ready technologies and practices and including negative emission solutions. This paper describes our systematic and replicable process and ends with a discussion of its strengths, weaknesses, and planned future research.

Comments

Published by Springer. (c) The Authors.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-020-01406-1

Recommended Citation

Brown, M.A., Beasley, B., Atalay, F. et al. Translating a Global Emission-Reduction Framework for Subnational Climate Action: A Case Study from the State of Georgia. Environmental Management (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-020-01406-1

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.