4. Global effort for dealing with environmental challenges
Basis of IET under Kyoto Protocol
- Each Annex 1 country has legally binding emission targets (emission quotas - Assigned amounts). - Non-annex 1 economies have no GHG emission restrictions but have financial incentives to develop GHG emission reduction projects to receive "Carbon credits" that can then be sold to Annex 1 buyers. - Nations that emit less than their quota can sell amount units to nations that exceed their quota
Major issues of Rio De Janerio Summit
- systematic scrutiny of patterns of production — particularly the production of toxic components, such as lead in gasoline, or poisonous waste including radioactive chemicals; - alternative sources of energy to replace the use of fossil fuels, which are linked to global climate change - new reliance on public transportation systems in order to reduce vehicle emissions, congestion in cities and the health problems caused by polluted air and smog - the growing scarcity of water
Earth Summits
1972 Stockholm Conference: one earth concept 1992 Rio De Janerio Summit: sustainable concept 2002 Johannesburg (South Africa) Summit
Stockholm conference major outcome.
A declaration containing 26 principles concerning the environment and development. Human Environmental Declaration - One Earth concept: Human being and environment cannot be separated. UNEP establishment. International Environmental day. An action plan with 109 recommendation: - Global environmental assessment program. - Environmental management activities. - International measures to support the national and international actions of assessment and management.
The Framework Convention on Climate Change, Rio de Janeiro 1992
A major step towards a global climate policy, to "achieve stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations ....at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system". Was ratified by 120 states, but it failed because: - it did not adopt a protocol, i.e. agreed upon specific measures for reducing CO2 emissions. - or set any specified timeframes for reductions.
Health and human rights/ drinking water
Agreed that the world's governments to take action to ensure health systems can deliver basic health care services to all "in conformity with human rights and fundamental freedoms, and consistent with national laws and cultural and religious values". Agreed to reduced the population with no sanitation system from 1.0 billion to 0.5 billion by 2015. Agreed to set up targets and timeframe for implementing this agreement
Classification of Parties and their commitments in UNFCCC
Annex I Annex II Annex B Non-Annex I Least-developed countries (LDCs)
Problems with the Johannesburg summit
George W. Bush boycotted the summit and did not attend; only Colin Powell hurriedly addressed to the closing stages of the conference while his airplane taxied on the run-way; While attendees enjoying expensive drink and food, South Africans are starving just a few miles away; Agreed to set up foundation to fight against poverty, to narrow the gap between rich and pool
Rio declaration on environment and development
Reaffirming the Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, adopted at Stockholm on 16 June 1972,/a and seeking to build upon it. With the goal of establishing a new and equitable global partnership through the creation of new levels of cooperation among States, key sectors of societies and people. Working towards international agreements which respect the interests of all and protect the integrity of the global environmental and developmental system. Recognizing the integral and interdependent nature of the Earth, our home,
Annex I
the industrialized (developed) countries and "economies in transition" (EITs). EITs are the former centrally-planned (Soviet) economies of Russia and Eastern Europe. The European Union-15 (EU-15) is also an Annex I Party
Main goals of The Convention
1) The conservation of biodiversity. 2) Sustainable use of the components of biodiversity. 3) Sharing the benefits arising from the commercial and other utilization of genetic resources in a fair and equitable way.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC)
Kyoto Convention (Global Warming). 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference.
Annex B
Parties listed in Annex B of the Kyoto Protocol are Annex I Parties with first- or second-round Kyoto greenhouse gas emissions targets (see Kyoto Protocol for details). The first-round targets apply over the years 2008-2012. As part of the 2012 Doha climate change talks, an amendment to Annex B was agreed upon containing with a list of Annex I Parties who have second-round Kyoto targets, which apply from 2013- 2020. The amendments have not entered into force.
Conflict between economic development and natural resource protection
Production of any goods requires consumption of natural resources.
CDM under Kyoto Protocol
Sponsor carbon projects that reduce GHG emissions in other countries (from 2008-2012). - Annex 1 countries sponsor clean production projects in non-annex 1 countries - Annex 1 countries sponsor clean energy production projects in non-annex 1 countries (such as developing/exporting new technology to reduce GHG production of power plants) - Annex 1 countries sponsor GHG removal programs in non-annex 1 countries (such as Canada is sponsoring some reforestation projects in China)
Stockholm (Sweden) Conference (June 5-16, 1972)
United Nations conference on the Human Environment (Earth Summit) Major theme: Human being and Environment. UN's 1st major conference on global environmental issues - turning point in development of global environmental politics. Initiated by Sweden's government. Addressed by Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme and secretary -general Kurt Waldheim. Attended by representative of 113 countries, 19 inter-government agencies, > 400 inter-government organization and NGPs. China did not attend due to internal political struggles (revolution), people suffering from starvation. Russia did not go - communist.
Sustainability
a process can be continued indefinitely without depleting the energy or material resources on which it depends.
Distinction between the Kyoto protocol and the convention
while the Convention encouraged industrialised countries to stabilize GHG emissions, the Protocol commits them to do so.
Copenhagen accord
drafted by US, China, India, Brazil and South Africa on December 18 - judged as a "meaningful agreement". It was "taken note of", but not "adopted", in a debate of all the participating countries the next day, and it was not passed unanimously. The document recognised that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of the present day and that actions should be taken to keep any temperature increases to below 2°C. The document is not legally binding and does not contain any legally binding commitments for reducing CO2 emissions. Many countries and non-governmental organisations were opposed to this agreement, but, as of January 4, 2010, 138 countries have signed the agreement. Tony Tujan of the IBON Foundation suggests the perceived failure of Copenhagen may prove useful, if it allows people to unravel some of the underlying misconceptions and work towards a new, more holistic view of things. This could help gain the support of developing countries. "the shock has made people more open to dialogue.
2012 UNCCC focus: Loss and damage
first articulated at the 2012 conference and in part based on the agreement that was signed at the 2010 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancun. It introduces the principle that countries vulnerable to the effects of climate change may be financially compensated in future by countries that fail to curb their carbon emissions.
2012 UNCCC focus: Finance
how countries will finance adaptation to and mitigation of climate change, whether from public or private sources
Annex II
members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Annex II Parties are required to provide financial and technical support to the EITs and developing countries to assist them in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions (climate change mitigation) and manage the impacts of climate change (climate change adaptation).
Non-Annex I
mostly low-income developing countries.[5] Developing countries may volunteer to become Annex I countries when they are sufficiently developed.
2012 UNCCC focus: Adaptation
social and other changes that must be undertaken to successfully adapt to climate change. Adaptation might encompass, but is not limited to, changes in agriculture and urban planning.
2012 UNCCC focus: Migration
steps and actions that the countries of the world can take to mitigate the effects of climate change.
2012 United Nations Climate Change Conference Doha
the 18th yearly session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the 8th session of the Meeting of the Parties (CMP) to the 1997 Kyoto Protocol (the protocol having been developed under the UNFCCC's charter). - Date - 26/11/2012 - 08/12/2012 - Location: Doha, Qatar - Participants: UNFCCC member countries (>190 members) - Attendance: 17,000 participants - 7 different conferences held under a common umbrella
2012 UNCCC focus: Technology
the technologies that are needed to adapt or mitigate climate change and ways in which developed countries can support developing countries in adopting them.
Economic decisions
what goods and services to produce. how to produce them. how much to produce. how to distribute them. what to buy and sell.
Climate change conference in Copenhagen (7-18 Dec 2009) - Copenhagen Summit
- 15th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) - 5th session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP 5) - 31st session of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI 31) - 31st session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA 31) - 10th session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP 10) - 8th session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA 8) The conference was preceded by: - Climate change: global risks, challenges and decisions scientific conference, which took place in March 2009 at the same site.
Major achievement of Rio De Janeiro Summit
- An agreement on the Climate Change Convention, which in turn led to the Kyoto Protocol - An agreement "not carry out any activities on the lands of indigenous peoples that would cause environmental degradation or that would be culturally inappropriate - The Convention on Biological Diversity was opened for signature
Kyoto Protocol (1997) Conflicts and Arguments
- How to define Annex 1 economies: for instance, China is a developing countries and have no targeted reduction on carbon emission but, is considered as one of major source of carbon emission. - Set up carbon fund in Annex 1 economics - for purchasing carbon credits - US, Canada, Australia and Japan wanted to avoid domestic efforts to control rapidly growing CO2 emissions from energy use - Due to internal pressure - USA withdrawn from this Protocol but ratified recently and Australia rejected
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
1979 — The first World Climate Conference (WCC) takes place. 1988 — The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is set up. More about the science of climate change. 1990 — IPCC's first assessment report released. IPCC and second World Climate Conference call for a global treaty on climate change. United Nations General Assembly negotiations on a framework convention begin
Least-developed countries (LDCs)
49 Parties are LDCs, and are given special status under the treaty in view of their limited capacity to adapt to the effects of climate change.
Kyoto Protocol (1997)
A protocol to the United Nation as Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC or FCCC). The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, on 11 December 1997 and entered into force on 16 February 2005. The detailed rules for the implementation of the Protocol were adopted at COP 7 in Marrakesh in 2001, and are called the "Marrakesh Accords. Legally binding commitment for reduction of four greenhouse gases (GHG) (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulphur hexafluoride), and two groups of gases (hydrofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons) produced by industrialized nations (Annex 1 countries), and general commitments for all countries.
Agenda 21
A wide-ranging blueprint for action to achieve sustainable development worldwide -- an unprecedented global plan of action for sustainable development. A comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organizations of the United Nations System, Governments, and Major Groups in every area in which human impacts on the environment. The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and the Statement of principles for the Sustainable Management of Forests were adopted by more than 178 Governments.
2012 UNCCC focus
Adaptation Finance Mitigation Technology Loss and damage
Resulting documents from the Rio De Janeiro Summit
Agenda21 The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development The Statement of Forest Principles UN Framework Convention on Climate Change UN Convention on Biological Diversity
Financial aid to poor countries
Agreed to increase financial aid to poor countries: - 70's target: 0.7% of country's GNP as financial aid to poor countries (only 5 countries have been able to follow). Globalization: has pros and cons to poor countries, and thus shall consider poor countries during the process; Agreed to set up foundation to fight against poverty, to narrow the gap between rich and pool
Conference outcomes: The Doha Climate Gateway
An 8-year extension of the Kyoto Protocol until 2020 limited in scope to only 15% of the global carbon dioxide emissions due to the lack of participation of Canada, Japan, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, New Zealand and the United States and due to the fact that developing countries like China (the world's largest emitter), India and Brazil are not subject to any emissions reductions under the Kyoto Protocol. Language on loss and damage, formalized for the first time in the conference documents. The conference made little progress towards the funding of the Green Climate Fund. Russia, Belarus and Ukraine objected at the end of the session
Green Energy Target
Proposed by EU (15 countries) Increase the proportion of green energy (energy from wind, solar, tide and geothermal source) up to 15% of total energy consumption. USA, Japan and OPEC members objected (sabotaged). Agreed to increase the proportion but no clear targeted % and time frame. Agreed to provide energy (power) to 200 Million people (who do not have now). But can't reach agreement on how to use wind energy and other renewable energy.
IET under Kyoto Protocol
Purchasing GHG emission reductions credits from elsewhere through financial exchanges, through projects that reduce emissions in non-annex 1 economies (generating tradable carbon credits), from other Annex 1 countries with excess allowances (from 2008-2012).
Countries under the Kyoto Protocol
Recognizing that developed countries are principally responsible for the current high levels of GHG emissions in the atmosphere as a result of more than 150 years of industrial activity, the Protocol places a heavier burden on developed nations under the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities. - EU needs to reduced by 8% - US: 7% - Japan: 6% - Russia: 0% - But 8% increase in Australia and 10% in Iceland. Overall, Over 5 years (2008-2012), 37 industrialized countries and EU reduce greenhouse gas emission by 5.2% from the level in 1990
Rio De Janeiro Summit (3-14 June, 1992)
The United Conference on Environment and Development. Principle themes: Environment and Development. Number of governments: 172, 108 state heads. NGO presents: some 2,400 representatives. Number of people attended: 17,000 Most successful summit.
Johannesburg (South Africa) Summit (26 Aug - 4 Sept 2002)
The World Summit on Sustainable Development. Principle themes: Sustainable development. (opportunity for today's leaders to adopt concrete steps and identify quantifiable targets for better implementing Agenda 21) Number of governments: 212, >100 state heads (8096 people from 925 organizations) Media representatives: 4012 Number of people attended: 65,000
Economy
a system of production, distribution, and consumption of economic goods.
Goal of Kyoto Protocol
achieving "stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.
Goods
any material items or services that satisfy people's wants or needs.
Sustainable development
development that provides people with a better life without sacrificing or depleting resources or causing environmental impacts that will undercut the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Copenhagen summit achievement
Attendance by 120 Heads of State and Government, raising climate discussions to a new level. Record numbers of participants - 10,500 delegates - 13,500 observers - covered by >3,000 media representatives Intensive negotiations characterized by over 1,000 official, informal and group meetings among Parties. Observers discussed climate change in more than 400 meetings and media attended over 300 press conferences. A vibrant program of over 200 side events. Over 220 exhibits from Parties, UN, IGOs and civil society. A total of 23 decisions adopted by the COP and the CMP. Governments engaged at the highest political level, and the outcome of that engagement was reflected in the Copenhagen Accord. The Conference in Copenhagen also made good progress in a number of areas including improvements to the clean development mechanism, amending Annex I to the Convention to add Malta, guidance on REDD+, and draft decisions on adaptation, technology, and capacity-building. However, the Bali Roadmap negotiations could not be concluded and negotiations will continue in 2010
Follow-up mechanisms of the Rio De Janeiro Summit
Commission on sustainable development. Inter-agency Committee on sustainable development. High-level Advisory Board on sustainable development.
Convention on Biodiveristy
Convention on Biological Diversity was drafted in 1992 Rio De Janeiro Earth summit. Convention was ratified by 135 nations
Kyoto Protocol (1997) Flexible mechanisms
Designed to allow Annex 1 countries to meet their emission reduction commitments (caps) with reduced economic impact: - GHG removals, from afforestation and reforestation (forest sinks) and deforestation (sources) since 1990 - Using International Emissions Trading (IET) - Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM) to be taken place in non-Annex I countries - Joint Implementation (JI) (taken place in Annex 1 countries)
Governing council for UN Environmental Program (UNEP)
Establish a governing council for environmental programs composed of 54 members, elected by the General Assembly for 3-year terms on the following basis: 16 seats for African States 13 seats for Asian States 6 seats for Eastern European States 10 seats for Latin American States 13 seats for Western European & other States
Global Environmental Facilities (GEF)
Funding agency: funding support for projects addressing environmental management and sustainable development.
Annual increase in CO2 emissions in various countries
Global carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere = 35.6 billion tons in 2012. Mainly due to carbon emissions by the combustion of fossil fuels (increased by 2.6% than 2011). Emissions exceed 1990 levels by 60% atmosphere carbon dioxide = 391 ppm in 2011. per capita emissions in developed countries are still substantially higher than in China or India
Emission Trading (cap and trade)
Government sets a limit or cap on the amount of a GHG emission that can be emitted, then allocate or sell the permits to each emitter; each emitter can either buy or sale the credits as necessary. London financial marketplace - center of the carbon finance market Market value: - $14 bn in 2005 - $33 bn in 2006 - $64 bn in 2007 (world bank data) Major bank has special section on carbon trading business. All the large companies (such as oil companies, airlines) gradually get involved in active trading.
United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP)
Has been instrumental in bringing about international policies, agreements, and actions. - build awareness of environmental issues around the world, - Facilitation of development of international environmental law. - Information - reliable flow fo objective and meaningful information, vital for effective decision-making.
United Nations Developmental Programme (UNDP)
Has been instrumental in bringing about international policies, agreements, and actions. - focused on national and regional sustainable development - capacity bulding.
Real achievements from the Stockholm conference
Human rights (equal share and responsibility) Natural resources management (consumption) Pollution prevention Relationship between environment and development Environmental issue become UN issue. Global Environmental Facilities (GEF) United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) United Nations Developmental Programme (UNDP) The three department work together to decide whether the proposal can be approved or not.
Approaches to solve conflict between economic development and natural resource protection
International regulations to control irresponsible disposal of waste. One earth concept - common homeland. Global environmental issue requires global effort: Earth summits. UNEP (United Nations Environmental Program) UNDP (United Nations Developmental Program) GEF (Global Environmental Facilities)
Major issues concerned in the Johannesburg summit
Population explosion. Global warming. Natural ecosystem protection. Unfair trade/ economic security. Poverty/health service/shelters/food/sanitation/drinking water. Green energy target.
