CC- RESPONSES TO CC

Question 1

What is the IPCC?

Answer 1

-intergovernmental panel of climate change
-Created in 1988 by the UN environmental program (UNEP) and the world meteorological organisation (WMO)

Question 2

what was the IPCC’s mission to provide?

Answer 2

-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

Question 3

five examples of international directives

Answer 3

-Kyoto protocol (1997 to 2012)
-Paris agreement, 2015
-Rio earth summit, 1992
-EU climate directive
-Carbon trading and carbon credits

Question 4

outline of the Kyoto protocol

Answer 4

-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

Question 5

positives of the Kyoto protocol

Answer 5

-Signed by over 100 countries in 1997
-6% reduction achieved versus business as usual

Question 6

negative of Kyoto protocol

Answer 6

-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

Question 7

outline of the paris agreement 2015

Answer 7

-195 countries adopted a new, legally binding climate deal to limit global warming to 2° C. By the end of the century.

Question 8

negatives of the paris agreement 2015

Answer 8

-non-punitive
-Is USA in or out?
-Insufficient awareness of carbon cycle
-Exclusion of international transport

Question 9

outline of the Rio Earth summit, 1992

Answer 9

-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

Question 10

downside to Rio earth summit

Answer 10

No legally binding targets so little action

Question 11

positives of the Rio Earth summit

Answer 11

Information to consider how they could cooperate to achieve objectives
-Gives financial support for LIDCS and EDCs

Question 12

what is the outcome of the EU climate directive?

Answer 12

-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

Question 13

Downside to the EU climate directives

Answer 13

emissions targets have lacked ambition
-20% reduction by 2020 was achieved in 2011
-not sufficient action

Question 14

What does the EU emissions trading scheme affect

Answer 14

11,000 power stations and industrial plants as well as aviation operations
-Doesn’t include agriculture or transport, but 50% of emitters are covered

Question 15

what does the cap and trade scheme do?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

what is an example of a national policy

Answer 16

Denmark

Question 17

what happened in 2019 in Denmark

Answer 17

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

Question 18

how do laws target carbon neutrality by 2050

Answer 18

-decrease FF by carbon taxes and tax exemption for hydrogen cell and electric cars
-cheaper public transport
-Railway electrification
-Promotion of cycling

Question 19

Denmark’s adaption strategies

Answer 19

-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

Question 20

two examples of subnational policies

Answer 20

-California
-Greater London authority act 2007

Question 21

outline of California’s sub National policy

Answer 21

-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.

Question 22

what is a California’s mitigation strategies?

Answer 22

-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

Question 23

what are californias adaption strategies?

Answer 23

-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

Question 24

outline of the London authority act

Answer 24

-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

Question 25

what is the 2011 action plan do in London?

Answer 25

-Fitted new energy, efficient equipment in older housing to the same standard as those newly built houses