Climate change and the role of international organisations and governments. Flashcards
Number of countries in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the aim.
41 countries joined the treaty to consider actions against global warming.
Kyoto protocol - what is it, how many countries in it, notable absences.
The first legally binding treaty to reduce carbon emissions, 192 countries signed up, USA and China both refused.
Kyoto protocol - Who carried the greater burden and why?
Acs carried the greatest burden due to the fact that over the past 150 years they have been the greatest emitters.
First commitment from the Kyoto protocol - When, Who, What.
2008-2012, 32 countries + EU member states, reduce emissions by 5% below 1990s base line.
Second commitment from the Kyoto protocol - When, Who, What.
2012-2020, EU but some other withdrew including Japan, Canada and Russia, 18% below 1990s base line by 2020.
What is the ECCP and what do they aim to do.
The European Climate Change Programme. The aims to transfer the EU to being a low carbon economy.
2020 policy, aims in the EU.
By 2020, member states must have reduced emissions from GHGs by 20%, have 20% of electricity created through renewables, 20% improvement in energy efficiency. Based upon 1990s base line.
UK climate change act of 2008 commitment.
The climate change act of 2008 commits the UK to reducing emissions by 80%
4 strategies used by the UK to cut emissions.
Setting carbon budgets / stepping stones for the time in between now and 2050. Introducing smart meters to reduce domestic energy demand. Investing in low carbon technology to promote alternatives. Carbon taxes based upon electricity production and vehicles.
Carbon tax UK problems.
The tax was frozen at £18 per tonne due to the fact that it was thought the energy price for consumers would be too high.
What did India not do and what did this lead to.
India did not ratify the Kyoto protocol and this led to the US also not agreeing due to they fact they felt without China and India the agreement would have little impact.
3 reasons for India not ratifying the agreement.
Low per capita energy consumption (1.7 tonnes compared to 5 tonnes), priorities of alleviating poverty and providing electricity and not reducing emissions, high rates of CO2 was Acs fault so they should shoulder costs.
