CredibleIntervallen

CredibleIntervallen is a concept in environmental studies and climate change research that refers to the consequences and effectiveness of interventions made to mitigate or adapt to climate change.

The term was first introduced by climate scientist Ottmar Edenhofer in 2009 as part of the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU). It highlights the importance of evaluating the potential outcomes of various greenhouse gas reduction strategies and policies.

According to CredibleIntervallen, credible interventions refer to actions or measures that are likely to lead to meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, such as transitioning to renewable energy sources, increasing energy efficiency, and electrifying transportation.

These interventions must meet certain criteria to be considered credible, such as being supported by robust scientific evidence, being economically viable, and being socially acceptable.

Critics argue that CredibleIntervallen may prioritize the interests of industrialized countries over those of developing nations, as it focuses on emissions reductions rather than absolute emissions totals. Others argue that CredibleIntervallen ignores the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable communities, such as low-lying islands and small island developing states.

Despite these criticisms, CredibleIntervallen remains an influential concept in international climate change negotiations and research, serving as a framework for evaluating and improving the effectiveness of climate change mitigation and adaptation policies.

In 2020, the WBGU created a guide outlining the criteria for determining CredibleIntervallen, which is widely regarded as a valuable resource in the field of climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.