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Democratizing climate change mitigation pathways using modernized stabilization wedges
Nathan Johnson1, Iain Staffell1
1Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, London, UK.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|March 5, 2026
Summary
A modernized wedge framework offers over 6 trillion personalized climate change mitigation pathways. This approach empowers individuals to create custom decarbonization plans beyond cost-optimization, fostering broader societal engagement.
Area of Science:
- Climate Science
- Environmental Policy
- Decision Analysis
Background:
- Climate change mitigation necessitates broad societal engagement.
- Integrated assessment models (IAMs) offer cost-optimal pathways but lack customization for individual preferences.
- The stabilization wedge framework simplified decarbonization discussions but required modernization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To modernize the stabilization wedge framework for personalized climate change mitigation.
- To identify and quantify strategies for significant emissions reduction by 2050.
- To compare IAM-favored strategies with a broader set of options.
Main Methods:
- Developed a modernized framework with 36 distinct mitigation strategies.
- Quantified the deployment scale for each strategy to achieve 4% global emissions mitigation by 2050.
- Assessed strategy prioritization within existing Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs).
Main Results:
- Identified 36 strategies, each capable of mitigating 4% of global emissions by 2050.
- Generated over 6 trillion unique, personalized decarbonization pathways to limit warming to 1.5°C.
- Found IAMs prioritize technological solutions over behavioral and nature-based strategies, with low agreement.
Conclusions:
- The modernized framework enables personalized decarbonization pathway construction, exceeding 6 trillion combinations.
- This approach empowers the public to engage in informed debates about climate solutions beyond cost.
- It highlights a divergence between IAMs' technological focus and a broader spectrum of effective mitigation strategies.
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