OECD Climate Change

Mitigating emissions to tackle climate change

The OECD is working with Member and Partner countries as well as other international and regional organisations, to identify and evaluate economically efficient and socially responsible policy pathways to achieve net-zero emissions at the global, national and city/regional level. This work can draw on a rich set of OECD tools and expertise in policy advice across all relevant areas of government and sectors of the economy, to support countries for the significant policy reform required to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

People-centred mitigation policies

The well-being lens

Helping governments achieve the transformational change needed to reach international climate goals while improving wider well-being outcomes.

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Air pollution

Providing analysis on the health, environmental, and economic consequences of air pollution.

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Inequalities-environment nexus

Looking at the consequences of environmental degradation on health, income and wealth, work and job quality, and safety. 

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Environmental literacy

Integrating the concept of sustainability and green skills within  learning outcomes, as measured by PISA.

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Sustainable infrastructure and clean energy

Sustainable infrastructure

What are the key aspects of sustainable and quality infrastructure?

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Clean energy

How can we curtail greenhouse gas emissions while promoting energy security?

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Renewable energy trends

Did you know that renewables (solar, wind, liquid biofuels and biogases) exhibited the highest growth rates over the last decade, and now make up almost a quarter of electricity production? 

Data & indicators

Decarbonising transport

How can we reconcile an efficient transport sector and sustainable environmental policies?

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Carbon pricing and fossil fuel subsidies

Carbon pricing and taxation of energy use

The OECD measures carbon prices applicable to CO2-emissions from energy use in 44 OECD and G20 countries, covering around 80% of CO2-emssions from energy use. It also tracks taxes on energy use in those countries and in a selection of developing and emerging economies. 

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Fossil fuel subsidies reform

The production of fossil fuels continues to be supported via tax incentives in many countries across the globe, as well as policies that keep consumer prices artificially low. In order to reduce fossil fuel use and avoid locking in fossil-fuel based capacity, reforms need to be accelerated.

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Carbon markets

Market-based instruments, such as cap-and-trade emission trading schemes, are crucial to price carbon emissions and keep the costs of climate action low. A cap-and-trade scheme enables emitters to trade allowances for the right to emit up to their allowed limit or "cap".

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Economic impacts

Impacts of environmental policies

Can we reduce CO2 emissions without hurting jobs and economic growth? OECD evidence shows that environmental policies have had relatively small effects on employment, investment, trade and productivity.

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Modelling and projections

OECD’s expertise investigates the interlinkages between materials use and economic activity, including the use of primary and secondary materials. Our modelling tools also measure the economic consequences of air pollution.

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Cost-benefit analysis

How can we value costs and benefits that occur far into the future? Climate economics entails thinking further about uncertainty in cost-benefit analysis, especially where uncertain outcomes might be associated with large (and adverse) impacts.

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A circular economy

OECD work shows that efficient use of resources and the transition to a circular economy can help both material security and improve environmental and economic outcomes as well.

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An integrated approach

Resilient, green and low-carbon cities

Countries, regions and cities must work together to tackle climate change. Cities can provide concrete solutions to addressing climate change, and demonstrate strong leadership in setting bold sustainability and CO2 reduction targets. 

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Climate change and food systems

The OECD identifies policy solutions that can unlock the large mitigation potential of food production, while helping to minimise the economic impacts on the agri-food sectors and consumers.

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Innovation and technology

Embracing new technologies that enable drastic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions will be a crucial element to a successful transition. Innovation is increasingly directed towards climate change-related technologies.

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