Ch 7.5B International Cooperation

Question 1

What is the milestone in international cooperation to deal with climate change in 1988?

Answer 1

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Experts started conducting research on climate change.

Question 2

What is the milestone in international cooperation to deal with climate change in 1997?

Answer 2

Kyoto Protocol (ratified from 192 parties)
1. The first international agreement on setting emission reduction targets.
- It sets up the limits of GHG emissions at least 5% below 1990 levels for the MDCs
2. LDCs could cut emissions on a voluntary basis.
3. Emission Trading allows countries that meet their targets to sell credits to other countries.

Question 3

What is the milestone in international cooperation to deal with climate change in 2007?

Answer 3

Bail Road Map
1. Countries agreed that long term cooperation is necessary to tackle climate change.
2. Both MDCs and LDCs are responsible for limiting their GHG emissions.

Question 4

What is the milestone in international cooperation to deal with climate change in 2009?

Answer 4

Copenhagen Accord (Ratified from 138 parties)
1. The USA, China and other major LDCs agreed for the first time to cut GHG emissions.
2. Countries agreed to limit the increase in global temperature to below 2 degrees.
3. MDCs agreed to provide support to LDCs to adapt to climate change.

Question 5

What is the milestone in international cooperation to deal with climate change in 2011?

Answer 5

Durban Platform.
1. Extend the Kyoto Protocol to at least 2018.
2. Accept legally binding emission cuts for both MDCs and LDCs.
3. Set up the Green Climate Fund to help poor countries.

Question 6

What is the milestone in international cooperation to deal with climate change in 2015?

Answer 6

Paris Agreement ( Ratified from 195 to 189 parties)
1. All countries agreed to limit the increase in global temperature to below 2 degrees above the pre industrial levels.
2. All countries have to revise and report their emissions targets and measures every five years.
3. MDCs are required to help LDCs to provide financial resources.

Question 7

What is the milestone in international cooperation to deal with climate change in 2021?

Answer 7

Glasgow Climate Pact
1. Countries agreed to further reduce emissions so that the rise global temperature can be limited to 1.5 degrees.
2. Countries were required to phase out coals and subsidies for fossil fuels.

Question 8

What are the major approaches of the Paris Agreement?

Answer 8

1. Set up clear and more specific targets.
2. Establishment of monitoring network among governments so that the countries can track progress towards the targets.
3. Provide economic incentives to encourage the cutting of GHG emissions.

Question 9

What are the actions done in the Paris Agreement?

Answer 9

1. All countries have reached a consensus to limit the increase in global temperature to below 1.5-2 degrees above the pre industrial levels.
2. All countries are required to revise and report their emission targets and measures every five years.
3. The emissions trading mechanism is set up to allow countries that meet their targets to sell credits to countries that need more credits.

Question 10

What are the arguments of MDCs over the issue of responsibility?

Answer 10

1. Cutting GHG emissions incurs extra costs -> Slow down economic growth and lower living standards.
2. LDCs should take responsibility to cut GHG emissions because
   - Both total and per capita emissions of carbon dioxide from some MDCs have decreased over the past decades, but emissions from the LDCs
   - Their total emissions of carbon dioxide have increased significantly due to rising living standards and rapid economic growth.

Question 11

Elaborate on the argument that how LDC’s total emissions of carbon dioxide have increased significantly due to rising living standards and rapid economic growth.

Answer 11

1. Increase in the use of fossil fuels to meet the increasing energy demand, e.g. burning coal to generate electricity for air conditioning, and using petrol to run private cars.
2. Increase in deforestation by burning to clear the land for activities such as farming, mining and urban development.
3. Increase in the demand for food and raw materials from agriculture. For example adopting large scale mechanised farming that consumes much energy.
4. The rise of globalisation increases the global flow of people and goods. Industrialization in LDCs causes more factories to be set up, resulting in more emissions.

Question 12

What are the arguments of LDCs over the issue of responsibility?

Answer 12

1. Historical responsibility: MDCs started industrialization earlier than the LDCs.
2. It is unfair to force LDCs to limit their GHGs emissions. This ignores the right of LDCs to develop their economy.
3. Per capita emissions of carbon dioxide of most LDCs are still lower than most MDCs although the total emissions of LDCs are increasing.
4. Most of the major emitters are MDCs.
5. Lack of capital and technology to deal with the problem.