7. The UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol

Creation of the UN Framework Convention on CC

- Outcome of the Rio Earth summit 1992 (thanks to IPCC) - 1. Intern agreement on CC

Clean development mechanism

- aim to combine development and climate - allow Annex 1 countries to invest in projects that reduce emissions in developing countries to get new carbon credits

2 key principles given by the UNFCCC

- common but differentiated responsibility : ---> differentiated efforts/responsibility - respective capacities : --> differentiated efforts/ capacity For the moment aim the same countries but will have different implication in the future

US and Russia in the Kyoto protocol

- confidence in the ratification of the US under Al Gore But Byrd-Hagel resolution : 1997 : forbids US president to ratify Kyoto Protocol or any similar protocol. Still a problem today. - trade off EU-Russia: 1990 reference for GHG emission whereas collapse of the USRR in 1992 Russia asks in exchange a seat in WTO

General design of the Kyoto Protocol

- expires in dec 2012 : experimentation for more ambitious protocol in 2013 - goal: reduction by 5% from 1990 GHG emissions - principle of common but differentiated responsibility - flexible mechanisms: market base (countries allowed to increase emissions) Focused on mitigation not adaptation

The carbon market: the EU Emission Trading Scheme

- goal of maximisation of economic efficiency - each country receives a carbon budget then industries are given quotas of emission allowances. - application of the polluter pays principle - started in 2005 all 27 countries take part

3 important mechanism in the UNFCCC convention

- made to be completed by mandatory protocols: only Kyoto so far - countries divided into developed (have to contribute) and developing (no efforts) --> revision of the list: one of the main stake of the negotiations - COP (Conference of the Parties) every year: CC summit but now huge event and not focused on negotiations

EU in the Kyoto protocol

- ratify as a single entity in 2002 - agrees on a common and national objective: -8% different national objectives depending on their emissions

3 Flexible mechanisms of the Kyoto protocol

- the carbon market : the EU Emission Trading scheme - clean development mechanism - the joint implementation

Objectives of the UNFCCC

- treaty focused on CC - very vague convention : stabilisation of GHG emissions at a level to avoid dangerous interference with the climate Not a binding convention : no limits But obligation of providing each year the level of GHG emissions

Introduction of the Kyoto Protocol

Opened for signature in 1997 but entered into force 8 years later 176 countries have ratified but only 37 have to reduce their emissions

Joint Implementation

Similar mechanism as CMD but in Annex 1 countries only - mechanism which walks the best but limited by the number of members