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6. Socioeconomic and Environmental3 - Other

Carbon emissions

Carbon emissions - Release of carbon dioxide, nitric oxide and other gases, increasing carbon emissions, exacerbating climate change, and negatively impacting local communities.

Source: MIT AI Risk Repositorymit987

ENTITY

3 - Other

INTENT

3 - Other

TIMING

3 - Other

Risk ID

mit987

Domain lineage

6. Socioeconomic and Environmental

262 mapped risks

6.6 > Environmental harm

Mitigation strategy

1. Transition to Low-Carbon Energy Systems: Mandate and accelerate the systemic global transition from fossil fuels to modern renewable energy sources (e.g., solar, wind, geothermal) coupled with the widespread electrification of end-use sectors, particularly transportation and heating, to achieve deep decarbonization of the energy supply. 2. Optimize Energy Efficiency and Conservation: Implement rigorous standards and incentives to substantially improve energy efficiency across all sectors, including the building envelope (e.g., insulation, heat pumps), industrial processes, and appliances, thereby minimizing overall energy demand and related emissions. 3. Scale Carbon Sequestration and Removal: Invest in and deploy both Natural Climate Solutions (NCS)—such as reforestation, regenerative agricultural practices, and ecosystem restoration (e.g., wetlands)—and technological solutions like Direct Air Capture (DAC) and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) to sequester atmospheric CO2 and manage hard-to-abate emissions.