Carbon abatement cost debate evolves

Previous analysis tended to neglect cross-measure interactions and simplify diminishing marginal returns

Traditional carbon abatement cost curves may be out of date as the energy transition gathers momentum and distributes cost-savings across a broader range of infrastructure and devices, according to a new report for non-governmental organisation the Environmental Defense Fund. Abatement curves that take into account interactions with the wider energy system—rather than seeing each decarbonisation task as its own standalone project—are becoming more widespread. “Traditional [marginal abatement] curves assess one measure (e.g. solar photovoltaic: PV) and deploy its full potential before moving on to the next measure,” says the report, titled Marginal abatement cost curves for US net-zero energy