Marginal Abatement Cost Curves and the Optimal Timing of Mitigation Measures

Arbeitspapier

Decision makers facing abatement targets need to decide which abatement measures to implement, and in which order. Measure-explicit marginal abatement cost curves depict the cost and abating potential of available mitigation options. Using a simple intertemporal optimization model, we demonstrate why this information is not su_cient to design emission reduction strategies. Because the measures required to achieve ambitious emission reductions cannot be implemented overnight, the optimal strategy to reach a short-term target depends on longer-term targets. For instance, the best strategy to achieve European's -20% by 2020 target may be to implement some expensive, high-potential, and long-to-implement options required to meet the -75% by 2050 target. Using just the cheapest abatement options to reach the 2020 target can create a carbonintensive lock-in and make the 2050 target too expensive to reach. Designing mitigation policies requires information on the speed at which various measures to curb greenhouse gas emissions can be implemented, in addition to the information on the costs and potential of such measures provided by marginal abatement cost curves.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Nota di Lavoro ; No. 89.2013

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Industry Studies: Utilities and Transportation: Government Policy ; Energy: Government Policy ; Climate; Natural Disasters and Their Management; Global Warming ; Environmental Economics: Government Policy
• Subject: Climate Change Mitigation ; Dynamic Efficiency ; Inertia ; Sectoral Policies

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Vogt-Schilb, Adrien ; Hallegatte, Stéphane
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM)
• (where): Milano
• (when): 2013

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/89592
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:42 AM CET