Marginal abatement cost curves (MACC)

A marginal abatement cost curve (MACC) is a graph that lays out a range of greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction measures in terms of how much they reduce, and whether they will have a net cost or saving to implement.

A MACC summarises complex and large quantities of information. The MACC is presented as a graph that visualises the most cost-effective mitigation measures (both management practices and technology solutions).

The MACC helps businesses and governments make informed decisions about how to allocate resources for emissions reductions.

MACCs can be used to identify:

• measures to reduce emission footprints, the size of the reduction and at what cost
• which mitigation measures are a win-win to implement, i.e. farmers could implement some measures that would simultaneously save money and reduce emissions