CC- RESPONSES TO CC Flashcards
What is the IPCC?
-intergovernmental panel of climate change
-Created in 1988 by the UN environmental program (UNEP) and the world meteorological organisation (WMO)
what was the IPCC’s mission to provide?
-Objective, science based reports on climate change and its impacts
-Understanding of risk associated with human induced climate change
-Options for mitigation and adaption
-since 1988, five reports have been published with increasingly strong evidence that its due to human activity
five examples of international directives
-Kyoto protocol (1997 to 2012)
-Paris agreement, 2015
-Rio earth summit, 1992
-EU climate directive
-Carbon trading and carbon credits
outline of the Kyoto protocol
-First legally binding international agreement for 37 industrialised countries
-Set a target of 5% reduction in carbon emissions by 2012 relative to 1990
-The EU achieved a 6% reduction compared to business as usual
positives of the Kyoto protocol
-Signed by over 100 countries in 1997
-6% reduction achieved versus business as usual
negative of Kyoto protocol
-Delays in national legislation meant protocol, didn’t start until February 2005
-Not ratified by US USA, China, Russia and India, who are the largest carbon emittors
-Russia joined in 2007
outline of the paris agreement 2015
-195 countries adopted a new, legally binding climate deal to limit global warming to 2° C. By the end of the century.
negatives of the paris agreement 2015
-non-punitive
-Is USA in or out?
-Insufficient awareness of carbon cycle
-Exclusion of international transport
outline of the Rio Earth summit, 1992
-UN framework convention on climate change (UNFCC) aimed to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous human interface with climate change
downside to Rio earth summit
No legally binding targets so little action
positives of the Rio Earth summit
Information to consider how they could cooperate to achieve objectives
-Gives financial support for LIDCS and EDCs
what is the outcome of the EU climate directive?
-Due to the renewals directive, the UK has increased its renewable energy output by 90% between 2007 and 2011
-EU carbon trading scheme is widely successful in reducing emissions and increasing fuel efficiency
Downside to the EU climate directives
emissions targets have lacked ambition
-20% reduction by 2020 was achieved in 2011
-not sufficient action
What does the EU emissions trading scheme affect
11,000 power stations and industrial plants as well as aviation operations
-Doesn’t include agriculture or transport, but 50% of emitters are covered
what does the cap and trade scheme do?
Sets a cap on a missions which is converted to tradable allowances
-The number of allowances each year are reduced
-They’ve achieved reductions and carbon emissions, but has been criticised for issuing too many credits and not imposing sanctions in its early stages
what is an example of a national policy
Denmark
what happened in 2019 in Denmark
In December 2019 Denmark Parliament created a new climate law
-70% reduction of emissions by 2030, compared to 1990
-By 2020 they reached 35% reduction
how do laws target carbon neutrality by 2050
-decrease FF by carbon taxes and tax exemption for hydrogen cell and electric cars
-cheaper public transport
-Railway electrification
-Promotion of cycling
Denmark’s adaption strategies
-Copenhagen adaption strategy of 2011
— aims to create climate proof neighbourhoods by improving drainage systems
-Storm barriers and Dykes are raised along vulnerable shorelines
-To decrease heat island, effect, more areas of open water, vegetation and shade and improved air circulation
-Pumping water, sandbagging and disaster management plants to provide emergency relief
two examples of subnational policies
-California
-Greater London authority act 2007
outline of California’s sub National policy
-World leader in implementing mitigation and adaption
-2006 global warming solutions act reduce emissions by 80% below 1990 levels by 2050
-to reach 40% by 2030 They mitigate and adapt.
what is a California’s mitigation strategies?
-FF generated electricity- retirement of fossil fuel burning power stations- 60% of electricity currently from gas
-CAP-AND-TRADE-(2013)- covers 85% of carbon emitters in the state-5% decline in caps per year
-VEHICLE EMISSIONS- 15% electric cars by 2020 and a 50% reduction in petrol use
-RENEWABLES-50% electricity by renewables by 2030 using subsidies - 1940 MW of new solar energy installed between 2012 and 2015
what are californias adaption strategies?
-CC adaption strategy 2009
— 1000 actions and 76 policies across 11 sectors
-Increase water management
-Avoid new development in vulnerable areas against flooding wildfires and erosion
-Safeguard areas of economic, social and cultural value
-Protect aquatic habitat and ecosystems
-2900 ft of dune restoration along Pacific Coast Highway
-230,000 ft.², of asphalt and concrete in Santa Barbara replaced with permeable services
outline of the London authority act
-London produces 8.4% of the U.K.’s emissions
-it targets a reduction by 60% by 2025
-However, it’s only one city and there’s a lack of awareness but is successful in cutting emissions
what is the 2011 action plan do in London?
-Fitted new energy, efficient equipment in older housing to the same standard as those newly built houses
