What does QELRO mean in UNCLASSIFIED

QELRO stands for Quantified Emission Limitation and Reduction Objectives. It is an important part of the climate change policy framework and aims to limit anthropogenic emissions in order to maintain global temperatures at safe levels. This includes setting goals for emissions reductions, monitoring and evaluating emission trends, and proposing strategies to reduce emissions.

By establishing quantified reduction objectives, governments are able to ensure that emissions are reduced over time in order to meet climate targets. These objectives can also be used to develop long-term strategies that ensure that emissions remain within safe limits. In addition, having measurable reduction objectives helps build trust between governments and citizens by providing tangible evidence that emissions are being managed responsibly.

QELROs can be set by national governments or international organizations such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Governments typically use economic instruments such as taxes or subsidies to achieve their targeted reductions.

Progress towards meeting a QELRO can be measured using metrics such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity, absolute GHG levels, fuel efficiency standards, renewable energy targets, etc. A variety of survey tools can be used to measure progress while taking into account sectoral contributions from different parts of the economy and from specific sources of emissions.

Having a quantifiable reduction target enables countries to better track their progress towards meeting agreed upon emission limits and provides a clear framework for developing policies that will help them reach their goals. Additionally, having measurable reduction objectives allows countries to promote accountability among individual emitters and incentivize them to take further action with respect to reducing emissions.

Many countries around the world have established quantitative targets for reducing their overall GHG emissions, including the EU's 2050 goal of reducing GHG emissions by 80-95%, Japan's commitment towards achieving an 80% reduction by 2050 compared with 1990 levels, China's goal of reaching peak CO2 levels by 2030/2035 and reducing its carbon intensity by 60-65% below 2005 levels by 2030/2035, etc.

When setting quantifiable reduction objectives governments should consider various factors such as technological capabilities, financial costs & benefits associated with taking action on climate change mitigation measures, socio-economic implications (e.g., potential job losses due climate policies), available natural resources that could aid in achieving their goals (e.g., clean energy sources). They should also take into account potential co-benefits related to health outcomes associated with reduced air pollution due transitioning away from fossil fuels.

Public participation is an essential element when setting quantitative targets for emission reductions as it allows citizens greater insight into how these decisions are made which builds trust between government bodies and those they govern. For example, public consultation may be conducted prior or during the formulation process wherein stakeholders provide input regarding which measures should be taken in order reach desired emission reductions.