GLOB 161 - Quiz 2
How much approximately does renewable energy currently contribute globally to overall primary and electricity production?
27.3%
Dimensions of equity
Historic responsibility - contribution to ghg's so far Future Contribution - Future share in global GHG emissions Vulnerability - who's impacted most Economic Capability - Who can more easily invest in control measures and adaptation?
What was the outcome of the Kunming biodiversity COP15 (hosted by Canada in Montreal, but presided over by China) in December of 2022? Why did it almost fail? Identify 3 decisions...
Outcome:
What assumptions go into developing future climate scenarios (future developments)?
Population growth, economic growth, and energy consumption Also... Technology development and diffusion, effect on different types of policy interventions, likelihood of policy interventions, behavioral changes and consumer reactions
What is the difference between "zero emissions" and "net zero emissions" CHECK
Zero emissions is no emissions. Net zero emission targets are based on the idea that carbon will somehow be removed from the atmosphere (offsetting emissions) zero emissions is no emissions, net zero emissions is balancing emissions against counteraction to achieve net zero
NOT RELEVANT What are the key remaining controversies particularly between developed and developing countries?
how will developing countries pay for this, fickle developed nation commitment, different goals between developing nations
What are earth system tipping points? (CHECK)
human intervention in the nitrogen cycle, ozone depletion, biodiversity loss, climate change, change in land use, global freshwater use, ocean acidification, chemical pollution, atmospheric aerosol loading
What us the problem with net zero emissions?
Practically all national pledges for 2045 and 2050 work with net zero emission targets. Net zero emission targets are based on the idea that carbon will somehow be removed from the atmosphere (offsetting emissions) - Emissions trading is based on this idea Problem: Net zero targets are of little meaning if countries have no clear plans how exactly to get to net zero emissions and their 2030 emission targets remain as unambitious as most of them are.
Constructing responsibility for climate action: How to slice and dice emissions data
- Absolute aggregate national emissions - National per capita emissions - Emission intensity (how much emissions are released while producing one unit of Gross Domestic Product GDP) - Historic Emissions (cumulative contribution to the increase in atmospheric concentration) - Future Emissions (emissions trajectory based on economic development scenarios) - Sectoral emissions (forestry, agriculture, industry, power, transport, heating, cooling, subsistence, luxury) - Emissions from human activity - Emissions from land use and land-use change
In what different ways is biodiversity valuable
- Agricultural production - Medicinal use - Natural resources - Ecosystem services
Why are NDCs difficult to compare because of...
- Different base years - Different target years - Different reduction targets - No comparative reference framework
The Kyoto Protocol (1997) combines...
- European insistence on targets and timetables - US insistence on a design that allows for use of Market mechanisms (emissions trading amongst countries - Clean Air Act Amendment of 1990) - Developing countries demand for technology and financial transfer opportunity without commitment to binding targets (Clean Development Mechanism) *Most implementation issues were left to be resolved! (Ex - details of flexibility mechanisms and how to monitor compliance, and sanctioning in the case of non-compliance)
US emissions trend since 1992 ???? LECTURE 6-2
- Has remained stagnant at about 5 gt co2, - Per capita emissions are going down - US energy-related CO2 emissions decreased 2.8% in 2019 and were close to 2017 levels - US emissions from coal are expected to bounce back in 2021, party as a result of supply constraints on natural gas
Biodiversity - Trend data on species abundance
- Humanity has wiped out 60% of mammals, birds, fish and reptiles since 1970. - The average abundance of native species in most major land-based habitats has fallen by at least 20%, mostly since 1900. - More than 40% of amphibian species, almost 33% of reef forming corals and more than a third of all marine mammals are threatened. - Since 1950, 90% of large fish among commercial fish species have vanished
What are the impacts of global warming?
- Inundation of low-laying islands and coastal zones - Contamination of freshwater resources in coastal zones - Increased likelihood of extreme weather events (heat waves, droughts, storms, floods) - Long-term shifts in climate patterns (drier, wetter, warmer) that affect ecosystems, agricultural production, and water availability - Stress to ecosystems. Many species are likely to go extinct because they cannot adapt quickly enough to changing conditions - Spread of tropical diseases to moderate climate zones - Socio-economic impacts: particularly disruptive to regions and population segments that cannot easily adapt and cope with environmental change food production, water availability, settlements, cost of living, conflict/social cohesion
In what key aspects do the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris agreement differ? !!!CHECK!!!
- The Paris Agreement does not have legally binding emission targets and timetables (abandons Kyoto Protocol approach), there is no additional details on facial support (beyond Copenhagen target) Maybe...There is no liability provision on financial compensation for loss and damage Paris lacks binding targets and deadlines and doesn't offer plans for financial support or compensation
How much approximately does renewable energy currently contribute globally to... 1) overall primary 2) electricity production?
1) Overall Primary = 7.5% or 12.6% 2) Electricity production = 29.9%
Climate change basic facts... 1. What is the current approximate level of CO2 concentration in the earth atmosphere in parts per million (ppm) 2. What was approximate level of CO2 concentration in the earth atmosphere in parts per million (ppm) during pre-industrial times? 3. How much has the world warmed since pre-industrial times?
1. 420 ppm 2. 280 ppm 3. Human actives are estimated to have caused 1.0 degree Celsius of global warming above pre-industrial times.
what does the Paris agreement considered a safe level of future warming over pre-industrial times as confirmed by the Glasgow conference in 2021 (Paris goal)?
1.5 degrees celsius
What are the center pieces of California's AB32 climate bill?
AB32: Requires a reduction of California's greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 (adopting the Kyoto base year), - Imposes only a modest price on carbon - Environmental justice movement has long opposed the cap-and-trade system because it fails to reduce air pollutants in disadvantaged communities. - Cap and trade includes a faulty offset program and an excess of allowances that critics say are too cheap...That allows companies to essentially buy their way out of lowering emissions, they say.
Compare basic emissions trajectories for the US, China, EU and Africa in aggregate and per-capita terms. Key take-away?
Aggregate: China by far largest aggregate emitter, followed by US and EU. Africa emits roughly half as much as US. Per-Capita: US is the largest emitter per capita followed by Russia, Japan, china, EU. Key point: A few countries are responsible for the bulk of emissions.
The Kyoto Protocol (1997)
Article 3: The parties included (in Annex I) shall, individually or jointly, ensure that their aggregate anthropogenic carbon dioxide equivalent emissions of greenhouse gasses (listed in Annex A)... - Do not exceed their assigned amounts...with a view to reducing their overall emissions of such gasses by at least 5% below 1990 levels in the commitment period 2008-2012. Annex I = Developed countries, Non-Annex 1 countries are developing countries
Examples of different ecoregions (Dinerstein table)
Boreal Forests, Deserts, Savannas, Mangroves, Mediterranean Forests, Tundra
Maher
Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is a fundamental aspect of the scenarios produced by the IPCC that limit global warming to 1.5℃, but it is not yet firmly on national or global policy agendas, and it is unclear whether CDR on the required scale is even feasible. No addressing by member states NDCs The absence of bottom-up support means few states have prioritized CDR in domestic policy making or international negotiations The absence of international CDR accounting standards/targets means there is no top-down mechanism prompting national policy development Addressing social justice impacts, developing accounting standards, technology development, and regulatory incentives would enable more aggressive CDR mitigation and deeper inclusion of CDR within multilateral climate negotiations
What are the 3 CITES appendices?
Cites appendices... I - Highly threatened (no commercial trade) II - Endangered (Strict regulation based on permit system) III - All species subject to regulations in one party (permits and quotas) Amendments to appendices I or II must be agreed upon by 2/3 of parties
The Kyoto Protocol (1997) flexibility instruments...Clean Development Mechanism
Clean Development Mechanism (between developed and developing countries) - Country A (Annex 1, developed) finances a GHG-reduction project in Country B (No Annex 1, developing) in return for Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) that can be counted towards its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol - Up to 1% of its commitment Concerns: 1. Leakage/Additionally - Undercuts overall global reduction commitments, since developing countries have no control obligations 2. Low-hanging fruits Developed countries get credit for implementing "cheapest" reduction projects in developing countries Positives: - Complements GEF funding - Increases motivation of developing countries to develop CDM projects - Encourages private sector engagement - Encourages technology dissemination and policy change
Climate politics under different presidents since Clinton (1992)
Clinton: Pledged to work with other countries towards binding emission reduction targets, his energy tax initiative failed, US signed the Kyoto Protocol and committed to reducing emissions 7% below 1990 Bush: US stepped away from the Kyoto Protocol, tried to introduce energy plan to greatly expand coal use and nuclear power (and no more subsidies for renewables). - The Bush White House (2000) WAS the fossil fuel industry, many cabinet members came out of industry positions where they returned afterwards - Trump administration replicated the Bush model Obama: Bold initiatives address climate change and cut emissions, bypassed Congress and created policy through executive order - After 8 years of the Obama administration trying to push climate action with executive orders, Trump wins election running on "bring back coal" message Trump: Withdrew from Paris Climate Agreement, ceased US contributions to international climate funds that help assist developing countries, directed the EPA to roll back Obama's executive orders on: clean power plants, car efficient standards, method leak regulations for fracking operations Biden: Transformational change on climate crisis... Climate pledges included: Net-zero emissions by 2050, By 2030 - cut emissions by half over 2005, and make the US power sector climate neutral by 2035
What does the 1992 CBD require countries to do specifically (and what does it not legally commit countries to do)?
Commits countries to: - Develop national strategies - Facilitate access to genetic resources - Sharein a fair and equitable way the results of reasearch and development What does it not legally commit countries to do? - No commitment for a specific amount of funding for biodiversity conservation - No legal provisions for benefit sharing related to the use of biogenetic resources What is CBD missing? - Commitments to protect specific territories - List of biodiversity "hot spots" Very weak international agreement in terms of concrete provisions
What is CITES (1973)?
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (1973) - System of import/export permits to protect certain species from overexploitation
How is climate change a two-level collective action problem?
Domestic Level differences between individuals: (government intervention possible): - Individual consumption patterns - Economic capacity to change behavior - Vulnerability to changing environmental and economic conditions resulting from climate change International Level differences among countries (no enforcing authority): - Historic responsibility for atmospheric GHG concentration - Future share in GHG emissions - Vulnerability to changing environmental conditions, extreme weather events, and economic consequences - Economic capacity to reduce emissions, but also to adapt to change Domestic level is able to enforce climate policy if it has enough resources and support. International level has no enforcement apparatus and there is asymmetric responsibility.
What mostly accounts for a reduction in US emissions from coal? CHECK
Due to a shift in generation to lower- and non-emitting sources of electricity generation and an increase in end-use energy efficiency. Constraints on coal supply and low coal stocks have contributed to higher natural gas prices Increased efficiency and other fossil fuels being cheaper
How does the EU compare to the US in terms of its climate commitments (big picture)?
EU is doing far more and performing on their commitments whereas US goes back and forth depending on who's in charge with no real advancements being made
What are ecosystem services?
Ecosystem services are the direct and indirect contributions ecosystems (known as natural capital) provide for human wellbeing and quality of life. Examples... - Protection of water resources - Soil formation - Nutrient storage - Breakdown and absorption of pollution - Flood control and climate stablility
The Kyoto Protocol (1997) flexibility instruments...Emission Trading
Emission Trading (cap-and-trade) - Country A buys CO2 emission rights from Country B - Only possible among Annex 1 countries (developed countries) that have committing to emission reductions - Example = EU Bubble Concept (joint commitment)
What are emission offsets? Provide examples...
Emission offsets are reductions in GHG emissions to makeup for emissions that occur somewhere else. Examples... - Reforestation - Renewable energy projects - Carbon capture and sequestration
What does IPCC stand for and what does it do?
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. What does it do? -Collects and analyzes peer-reviewed research -DOES NOT conduct its' own scientific research -Organizes said research and publishes reports on it -Publishes an Assessment Report (AR) every few years Provides policymakers with regular scientific assessments on climate change and its implications and suggest adaptation and mitigation options
What does Biden's Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) not do?
It is not a pure climate bill... 1. There are no punitive or regulatory provisions such as: - Increasing taxes on the fossil fuel industry (or on gasoline), mandating specific emission targets, or holding them responsible for emissions in any way - In fact, it provides funding for increased drilling 2. There are no emission targets specified 3. There is no money allocated for international climate financing
Kyoto Protocol - Copenhagen 2009
Most significant outcome was language on financing... Developed countries commit to goal of mobilizing jointly USD 100 billion dollars a year by 2030 to address the needs of developing countries.
Paris Climate Agreement - What are NDCs
NDCs are Nationally Determined Contributions (to climate change)
Paris Agreement (2015)
NDCs: The UN Paris Climate Agreement is based on voluntary country pledges, so-called nationally determined contributions, NDCs.
Identify a few climate relevant provisions in Biden's Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of July 2022
Most ambitious climate bill the US congress has ever passed. 1. 329 billion dollars in tax incentives and direct support... - Clean electricity credits, wind and solar tax credits, nuclear energy credits, clean manufacturing 2. Amends the Clean Air Act to define the carbon dioxide produced by the burning of fossil fuels as an "air pollutant"
What is the private and public good dimension related to the climate crisis?
Private Good dimensions... 1. Tremendous private sector interests in extractive industries (fossil fuel economy is a multitrillion dollar behemoth) 2. Intricate part of many countries economies (corporate profits and millions of jobs associated with fossil fuels) 3. Short-term considerations prevail Public Good dimensions.. 1. Global and long-term public good: a stable global climate that is not disruptive to food production, human infrastructure, and ecosystem health. Classic free rider problem on domestic and international level... Market doesn't recognize value beyond immediate use, markets not best institution to manage them
What is REDD+?
Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation
What are the center piece of California's SB100 climate bills?
SB100: Calls for 100% of California's electricity to come from carbon-free sources by 2045. - The measure would also accelerate the state's goal of reaching 50% renewable energy
Why did Biden's IRA almost not pass?
The American Petroleum Institute (API) and groups representing America's natural gas and oil industry joined and opposed the IRA They outlined... Problematic provisions, including punitive new taxes and regulatory red tape that undermine the industry's ability to promote energy security for the American consumer
What does the Paris climate agreement commit countries to do and what is missing, compared to the Kyoto Protocol? !!!CHECK!!!
The Paris Climate Agreement commits countries to formulate and communicate long-term low GHG emission development strategies, which are to be updated every 5 years. Compared to the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Climate Agreement is missing legally binding targets and timetables, additional details on financial support, liability provision on financial compensation for loss and damage, and change in basic policy premises Instituted global warming ceiling and zero emission commitment. lacks binding emissions targets, details on financial support, no liability provision for losses, no change in basic policy premises
What are the three key objectives set out in the Convention on Biodiversity?
The three key objectives identified in the Convention on Biodiversity are... 1) The conservation of biological diversity 2) The sustainable use of its components 3) and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources
What is missing fro the Paris Climate Agreement?
The Paris agreement abandons the idea of fair and equitable burden sharing among countries, based on the "common but differentiated responsibility" principle adopted in the Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1992 It is missing... - Legally binding targets and timetables - Additional details on financial support, it doesn't offer plans for financial support or compensation - No liability provision on financial compensation for loss and damage - No change in basic policy premises (no questioning of emissions trading)
The Paris Agreement (2015)
The UN Paris Climate Agreement is based on voluntary country pledges, called nationally determined contributions (NDCs). Its most significant paragraphs are... 1. Global Warming Ceiling - Aims to prevent the global average temp from rising 2 degrees celsius above pre-industrial leaves and purses efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees celsius 2. Zero emissions deadline - Long-term objective that aims to reach global net-zero emissions (where the amount of greenhouse gases emitted equals the amount removed from the atmosphere) in the second half go this century 3. 5 year cycle for updating NDCs - Commits countries to formulate and communicate long-term low GHG emission development strategies, which are to be updated every 5 years
What happened to the 2009 climate bill in the US Congress?
The bill was never adopted because it was stalled in the US senate. Any chance to pass the bill died with the mid-term elections in 2010 that Brough the Republicans in control of the House.
Dickenson
The bill would create "extended producer responsibility" The legislation would formally ban the U.S. from exporting plastic waste to developing countries, in alignment with the Basel Convention. The industry's voluntary actions to curb plastic pollution are driven by two clear motives: protecting the environment, and protecting profits from regulation
What is "benefit sharing" under the CBD?
The fair and equitable sharing of the benefit arising out of the utilization of genetic resources
What is the global carbon budget, and how does it relate to the emissions gap idea and what does it tell us (compare UNEP report, closing window)? CHECK CHECK CHECK CHECK CHECK
The global carbon budget is the total amount of CO2 and other GHG emissions that can be emitted into the atmosphere without exceeding a certain level of global warming. global carbon budget is how much more co2 emissions out world can handle before devastating climate change would ensue. We must take radical action to avoid crisis
How does the loss of global biodiversity differ from other global environmental problems?
The loss of individual species does not pose a perceivable threat to human health, life or well-being. - Market forces do not recognize the value ofindividual species beyond their immediate use value. role of technology, uneven distribution of resources, no direct threat to human health
NOT RELEVANT What is the big-picture take-away from the last two international climate meetings, COP26 in Glasgow 2021 and COP27 in Sharm-El-Sheik) (compare my article)?
These summits are failing to make concrete, binding decisions
What are 3 examples of animals listed in Appendix I or II?
Tiger, Asian Elephant, chimpanzee, and humpback whale
Explain US energy and climate policy (dominant social paradigm)
US domestic politics is a critical factor for understanding the dynamics of international climate negotiations. Dominant social paradigm... - Cheap energy is essential for economic growth and human wellbeing - Reducing dependence on fossil fuels too fast is expensive and unnecessary, and it would put the American way of life at risk.
Important facts about the distribution of biodiversity around the world?
Uneven distribution in "Mega-diversity" countries, largely concentrated in global south
What was the outcome of the Kunming biodiversity COP15 (hosted by Canada in Montreal, but presided over by China) in December of 2022?
new goals reflective of what wasn't achieved from Aichi. 30% preservation by 2030 and 30 billion invested and 30% of degraded ecosystem under restoration
In what key ways does GEF financing support CBD objectives?
offers significant capacity building on the personal, institutional, political level in developing countries