GHG Mitigation Goals
Definition
GHG Mitigation Goals are the concrete targets set by entities in the context of contributing to Climate Change Mitigation.
Developing a GHG Inventory, setting goals, and tracking progress are part of an interconnected process. Setting reduction or “mitigation” goals can help entities focus efforts on key emission sources, identify innovative mitigation solutions, demonstrate leadership and reduce long-term costs.
Goal Types
The type of goal provides the basis against which emissions and emissions reductions are tracked and reported. Users with a multi-year goal shall report whether the goal is an average, annual, or cumulative multi-year goal. In general, there are four goal types:
- Base year emissions goals
- Fixed level goals
- Base year intensity goals
- Baseline scenario goals
Base Year Emissions
Base year emissions goals represent a reduction in emissions relative to an emissions level in a historical base year. They are framed in terms of a percent reduction of emissions compared to a base year emissions level, and therefore correspond to an reduction in Absolute Emissions.
= Fixed Level Goals
Fixed level goals represent a reduction in emissions to an absolute emissions level in a target year. For example, a fixed level goal could be to achieve 200 Mt (million tonnes) CO2e by 2020. The most common type of fixed level goals are Carbon Neutrality goals, which are designed to reach zero net emissions by a certain date (though such goals often include the purchase and use of offset credits to compensate for remaining emissions after annual reductions).
Fixed level goals do not include a reference to an emissions level in a baseline scenario or historical base year.
