5a- Effective implementation depends on policies and co-operation Flashcards
success of the IPCC in shaping policy making
gets the most recent developments in climate science and passes knowledge on to governments and people
The second assessment report they made was a key input into the negotiations which led to the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol by UNFCC in 1997
COP invited IPCC to provide assessment on the impacts of climate change when temperatures reached 1.5C above pre-industrial levels- served as a basis off which to discuss adaptation options
Able to look at a lot of research which helps come to a global scientific census
limitations of the IPCC in shaping policy making
assessments are based on pre-existing data- could be from people with different agendas due to who they are being funded by. For information to go into the report everyone has to agree which could water the information down
don’t have power to set policies so rely on governments to implement changes- the IPCC is advisory.
Inaccessible to people due to length and complexity- doesnt educate everyone
successes of international directives (Kyoto protocol)
First legally binding international agreement on limiting carbon emissions- Many EU countries achieved their targets
limitations of international directives (Kyoto protocol)
Developing countries, russia and USA didnt agree to and they produce the most CO2. China and India prioritised their development
Some countries fell short of their emissions targets
successes of international directives (Paris agreement)
195 countries adopted a legally binding agreement to limit global warming to less than 2C by the end of the century- global cooperation (Large scale)
spurred investment into renewable energy which made renewable energy industries competitive with fossil fuel companies.
limitations of international directives (Paris agreement)
countries like China will struggle with expense of reducing use of coal- can cause economic recessions which could effect priorities
implementation was delayed until 2020 which makes the target harder to achieve
US pulled out under Trump and joined back again when Biden was in office
What is the EU emissions Trading System (EUETS)
worlds largest GHG trading scheme- includes more than 11,000 power stations and industrial plats across the EU like steel and chemical works, aviation also included- 50% of emitters are covered by the scheme
polluters either cut their emissions or have to have to pay extra costs. Sets a cap on GHG emissions which is converted into tradable allowances which are tradable- if exceed limit have to buy credits from someone who has spare credits- fined 100 euros for every tonne of CO2 in excess
Success of carbon trading (including EUETS)
achieved real reduction in carbon emissions
limitations of carbon trading (including EUETS)
been critisied for issuing too many credits and not imposing sanctions in the early stages
industries say the extra costs make it hard for EU competitors and they are at an unfair advantage
buying land with forests on it doesnt actually offset any carbon as the trees were already there and they arent now taking in any more carbon- even if they did plant trees the trees take time to grow so only effective in the long term
what are Sweden doing that means it’s national policy that extends beyond the vision of international directives
Introduced carbon tax in 1991 (Early) without which emissions would have been 20% higher- people paid 20p more per litre.- polluting was expensive so sustainable options were found. Using district heating helped reduce emissions by pumping steam and hot water into a building
switched from fossil fuels to electric heating and then to heat pumps which use 2/3 less electricity
played a big part in creating the IPCC
get £860 when they buy an electric car
can source electricity from hydroelectric power and nuclear
what made sweeden able to be so successful
high standard of living- GDP per capita=$61,000- so more taxes can be paid and used towards fighting climate change
small population- 9.2million- means that the emissions are easier to manage- between 1990 and 2006 cut its CO2 emissions by 9%
sub-national policy that extends beyond the vision of international directives in California
in California CC is meaning less snow and 1/3 of its water comes from snow melt so limited water supply
Californias cap and trade system is the second biggest in the world and covers 85% of the carbon polluters in the state
Assembly bill 32- reduce GHG by 30% by 2020 which they were on track to do and Assembly bill 350- mandated that 50% of energy comes from renewable by 2030- shows how political will makes change happen- also has a liberal, rich population which makes it easier and people are willing to buy into green technology
managing climate change is also creating employment opportunites with 331,000 jobs directly linked to CC
