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

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Marilyn A. Brown, Georgia Institute of Technology; Blair Beasley, Emory University; Fikret Atalay, Georgia Institute of Technology; Kim M. Cobb, Georgia Institute of Technology; Puneet Dwiveldi, University of Georgia; Jeffrey Hubbs, Georgia Institute of Technology; David M. Iwaniek, Georgia State University; Sudhagar Mani, University of Georgia; Daniel Matisoff, Georgia Institute of Technology; Jaqueline Mohan, University of Georgia; Jeffrey Mullen, University of Georgia; Michael Oxman, Georgia Institute of Technology; Daniel Rochberg, Emory University; Michael Rodgers, Georgia Institute of Technology; Marshall Shepherd, University of Georgia; Richard Simmons, Georgia Institute of Technology; Laura Taylor, Georgia Institute of Technology; L. Beril Toktay, Georgia Institute of Technology
• Language: English
• Date: 2021-01-15
• Publisher: SPRINGER
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © The Author(s) 2021
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00267-020-01406-1
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
• Volume: 67
• Issue: 2
• Start Page: 205
• End Page: 227
• Keywords: Carbon footprint; Equity; Environmental Sciences; Carbon neutrality; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Science & Technology; Environmental Sciences & Ecology; Climate roadmap
• Research Categories: Environmental Sciences; Biology, Ecology

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.