IELTS Reading Practice: Global Efforts to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Welcome to our comprehensive IELTS Reading practice session focused on the crucial topic of “Global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” This lesson is designed to enhance your reading skills while providing valuable insights into one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time.

Global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Introduction

Climate change is a global challenge that requires coordinated international action. In this IELTS Reading practice, we’ll explore the various strategies and initiatives being implemented worldwide to combat greenhouse gas emissions. Let’s dive into three passages of increasing difficulty, followed by a range of question types to test your comprehension and analytical skills.

Passage 1 – Easy Text

The Basics of Greenhouse Gas Reduction

Greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, leading to global warming. Mitigating these emissions has become a paramount concern for governments, businesses, and individuals worldwide. Many countries have pledged to reduce their carbon footprint through various means, including transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and implementing stricter regulations on industrial emissions.

One of the most significant global efforts is the Paris Agreement, signed in 2015 by 196 countries. This landmark accord aims to limit global temperature increase to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. To achieve this goal, nations have committed to Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which outline their specific plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Renewable energy plays a crucial role in these efforts. Solar, wind, and hydroelectric power are becoming increasingly cost-competitive with fossil fuels, leading to a global surge in clean energy investments. Many countries are setting ambitious targets for renewable energy adoption, with some aiming for 100% clean energy in the coming decades.

Afforestation and reforestation projects are another key strategy in the fight against climate change. Trees act as natural carbon sinks, absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. Large-scale tree-planting initiatives, such as the Billion Tree Tsunami in Pakistan and the Great Green Wall in Africa, demonstrate the potential of nature-based solutions in combating climate change.

Questions 1-5

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage?

Write:

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

1. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.
2. The Paris Agreement was signed by all countries in the world.
3. Renewable energy sources are always cheaper than fossil fuels.
4. Some countries are aiming for 100% clean energy in the future.
5. The Billion Tree Tsunami is a project in India.

Questions 6-10

Complete the sentences below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

6. The Paris Agreement aims to keep global temperature increase well below __ degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
7. Countries have committed to __ which outline their specific plans to reduce emissions.
8. __ and __ projects are important strategies for absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere.
9. Trees act as natural __ , helping to combat climate change.
10. The Great Green Wall is an example of a __ solution to climate change.

Passage 2 – Medium Text

Innovative Technologies and Policies

As the urgency to address climate change intensifies, countries and corporations are turning to cutting-edge technologies and innovative policies to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. These approaches go beyond traditional methods, often combining technological advancements with regulatory frameworks to create more effective solutions.

One promising area is carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. This process involves capturing CO2 emissions from large point sources, such as power plants or industrial facilities, and storing them underground in geological formations. While still in its early stages, CCS has the potential to significantly mitigate emissions from hard-to-decarbonize sectors like cement and steel production.

Another innovative approach is the development of smart grids and energy storage systems. These technologies enable more efficient use of renewable energy sources by balancing supply and demand, reducing waste, and improving overall grid stability. Countries like Denmark and Germany are at the forefront of implementing these systems, demonstrating their potential to support high levels of renewable energy integration.

In the transportation sector, the shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) is gaining momentum globally. Many countries are implementing policies to incentivize EV adoption, such as tax breaks, subsidies, and the development of charging infrastructure. Norway, for instance, has become a world leader in EV adoption through a combination of financial incentives and practical benefits for EV owners.

Green hydrogen is emerging as a potential game-changer in the fight against climate change. Produced using renewable energy, green hydrogen can serve as a clean fuel for industries, transportation, and heating. The European Union has set ambitious targets for green hydrogen production as part of its strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

On the policy front, carbon pricing mechanisms such as carbon taxes and cap-and-trade systems are being implemented in various forms around the world. These economic instruments aim to internalize the environmental costs of greenhouse gas emissions, encouraging businesses and consumers to reduce their carbon footprint. The European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is the world’s largest carbon market and has played a significant role in driving emissions reductions across the continent.

Circular economy principles are also gaining traction as a means to reduce emissions. By designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems, the circular economy model offers a holistic approach to sustainability that goes beyond merely reducing emissions.

Questions 11-14

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.

11. According to the passage, carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology:
    A) Is fully developed and widely used
    B) Can only be used in the power sector
    C) Has potential for reducing emissions in difficult-to-decarbonize industries
    D) Is not considered an effective solution for climate change

12. Smart grids and energy storage systems are important because they:
    A) Completely eliminate the need for fossil fuels
    B) Allow for more efficient use of renewable energy
    C) Are only being implemented in Denmark and Germany
    D) Reduce the overall demand for electricity

13. The passage suggests that Norway’s success in EV adoption is due to:
    A) Having the most advanced EV technology
    B) Banning all fossil fuel vehicles
    C) A combination of financial and practical benefits for EV owners
    D) Having the largest EV manufacturing industry

14. Green hydrogen is described in the passage as:
    A) A fully established energy source
    B) Only useful for transportation
    C) A potential significant contributor to fighting climate change
    D) A technology only being developed in the European Union

Questions 15-20

Complete the summary below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

Carbon pricing mechanisms, such as carbon taxes and 15__ systems, are being implemented globally to address greenhouse gas emissions. These tools aim to 16__ the environmental costs of emissions, encouraging reduced carbon footprints. The 17__ is the world’s largest carbon market, contributing to emissions reductions in Europe.

The concept of a 18__ economy is gaining popularity as a comprehensive approach to sustainability. This model focuses on eliminating 19__ and pollution, extending the lifespan of products and materials, and 20__ natural systems.

Passage 3 – Hard Text

The Complexities of International Cooperation and Future Challenges

The global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is an unprecedented endeavor in international cooperation, fraught with complexities and challenges. While progress has been made, the intricacies of aligning diverse national interests, economic realities, and technological capabilities present ongoing obstacles to achieving the ambitious targets set by the international community.

The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR), enshrined in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), acknowledges that while all countries have a shared responsibility to address climate change, their capabilities and historical contributions to the problem vary significantly. This principle has been a cornerstone of international climate negotiations but has also been a source of tension between developed and developing nations.

Developed countries, historically the largest emitters, are expected to take the lead in emission reductions and provide financial and technological support to developing countries. However, the scale and pace of this support have been subjects of ongoing debate. The commitment made in Copenhagen in 2009 to mobilize $100 billion annually for climate finance by 2020 has yet to be fully realized, undermining trust and hampering progress in global climate talks.

Meanwhile, rapidly industrializing economies like China and India face the dual challenge of lifting millions out of poverty while simultaneously curbing their greenhouse gas emissions. These countries argue for their right to development and emphasize the need for equitable access to the global carbon budget. The concept of carbon budgets – the cumulative amount of CO2 emissions permitted over a period to keep within a certain temperature threshold – has become a critical point of contention in international negotiations.

The Paris Agreement’s bottom-up approach, allowing countries to set their own targets through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), was designed to encourage universal participation. However, this flexibility has led to concerns about the collective ambition of these pledges. Current NDCs, even if fully implemented, are insufficient to limit global warming to well below 2°C, let alone the more ambitious 1.5°C target.

Sectoral challenges add another layer of complexity to global emission reduction efforts. The aviation and shipping industries, for instance, operate across international borders and are not easily attributed to individual countries. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) have developed their own strategies to address emissions, but progress has been slow and criticized as inadequate by environmental groups.

The transition to a low-carbon economy also raises concerns about stranded assets – investments in fossil fuel infrastructure that may become obsolete before the end of their expected lifetime. This risk is particularly acute for developing countries that rely heavily on fossil fuel exports for economic growth and stability. The concept of a just transition has gained prominence, emphasizing the need to ensure that decarbonization efforts do not exacerbate existing inequalities or create new ones.

Looking ahead, the challenge of negative emissions looms large. Most scenarios that limit warming to 1.5°C rely on large-scale deployment of negative emission technologies, such as Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) or Direct Air Capture (DAC). However, these technologies are largely unproven at scale and raise significant concerns about land use, biodiversity, and energy requirements.

The COVID-19 pandemic has added a new dimension to global climate efforts. While the temporary reduction in emissions during lockdowns demonstrated the scale of change needed to meet climate goals, the economic fallout has raised questions about the ability and willingness of countries to prioritize climate action in the face of immediate health and economic crises.

As the world grapples with these multifaceted challenges, the need for enhanced international cooperation, technological innovation, and societal transformation has never been more apparent. The coming decades will be crucial in determining whether the global community can overcome these hurdles and achieve the profound systemic changes necessary to avert the worst impacts of climate change.

Questions 21-26

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.

21. The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR):
    A) Treats all countries equally in terms of climate change responsibilities
    B) Recognizes differences in countries’ capabilities and historical emissions
    C) Is universally accepted without any controversy
    D) Applies only to developed countries

22. According to the passage, the commitment to mobilize $100 billion annually for climate finance:
    A) Has been fully achieved
    B) Was never agreed upon
    C) Has not been fully realized
    D) Is no longer necessary

23. The Paris Agreement’s approach of allowing countries to set their own targets:
    A) Guarantees that global warming will be limited to below 2°C
    B) Has been criticized for potentially lacking collective ambition
    C) Only applies to developed countries
    D) Has been universally successful

24. The concept of ‘stranded assets’ refers to:
    A) Lost investments due to natural disasters
    B) Fossil fuel infrastructure that may become obsolete prematurely
    C) Assets frozen by international sanctions
    D) Renewable energy projects that fail to materialize

25. Most scenarios limiting warming to 1.5°C rely on:
    A) Immediate cessation of all fossil fuel use
    B) Large-scale deployment of negative emission technologies
    C) Voluntary reduction of emissions by individuals
    D) Geoengineering the Earth’s atmosphere

26. The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on climate efforts is described as:
    A) Universally positive for emission reduction
    B) Having no effect on climate action
    C) Demonstrating the scale of change needed while raising concerns about prioritization
    D) Eliminating the need for further climate action

Questions 27-30

Complete the summary below.

Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.

The global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions faces numerous challenges. The principle of 27__ acknowledges varying responsibilities among nations. Developed countries are expected to lead in reductions and provide 28__ to developing nations, but the extent of this support is debated. Rapidly industrializing economies face the 29__ of development and emission reduction. The Paris Agreement allows countries to set their own targets, but there are concerns about the 30__ of these pledges to meet global temperature goals.

Answer Key

Passage 1

1. TRUE
2. FALSE
3. FALSE
4. TRUE
5. FALSE
6. two
7. Nationally Determined Contributions
8. Afforestation, reforestation
9. carbon sinks
10. nature-based

Passage 2

11. C
12. B
13. C
14. C
15. cap-and-trade
16. internalize
17. EU ETS
18. circular
19. waste
20. regenerating

Passage 3

21. B
22. C
23. B
24. B
25. B
26. C
27. common but differentiated responsibilities
28. financial and technological support
29. dual challenge
30. collective ambition

This IELTS Reading practice session on “Global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions” covers a wide range of aspects related to climate change mitigation. It progresses from basic concepts to more complex international dynamics, reflecting the increasing difficulty levels in an actual IELTS test.

For further reading on related topics, you might be interested in exploring:

• The effects of global warming on marine ecosystems
• How climate change is affecting global food supplies
• The future of electric vehicles in reducing emissions

Remember, success in IELTS Reading requires not just understanding the content, but also familiarity with various question types and effective time management. Practice regularly with diverse topics and question formats to improve your skills and confidence.