Marginal Abatement Cost Curves and the Optimal Timing of Mitigation Measures

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