Part 11: Climate Change and Carbon Compensation

Question 1

effects of climate change and carbon

Answer 1

• Glaciers Melt
• Lakes dry out
• Crop productivity goes down
• Tourism potential fading (seasonal activities eg: skiing)

Question 2

Greenhouse Gas emissions by means of transport

Answer 2

g/km/passenger

Plane, car, public transport (bus, tram, rail cart, train, bus)

Question 3

Various problems with climate change and carbon

Answer 3

– Increasingly globalized society - more people/mobility
– atmosphere can only take so much CO2
– renewable energy develop slow - need better solution
– status quo: no effective climate-friendly alternative for transport

Question 4

Solution for carbon and climate change (3 keys)

Answer 4

Prevent/avoid
reduction/reduce
compensation/off-set

Question 5

Carbon cycle

Answer 5

1. Photosynthesis
2. Respiration by planet
3. Feeding
4. Death and waste
5. Respiration by animal
6. Decomposition
7. No Decomposition
8. Combustion

Question 6

Carbon Compensation process

Answer 6

• Compensating for person emissions by reducing them elsewhere
• Principle: no matter where GHG are emitted/avoided - all equals out across planet
• Projects: reduce/absorb greenhouse gases, same amount as the emissions, mostly in developing countries (cheaper/higher impact, helping communities not responsible but still suffer)

Question 7

Requirements for Carbon Offset Projects

Answer 7

1. Baselines: What would have happened otherwise
2. Additionally: Would it have happened without investment
3. Physically measurable/quantifiable offset

International Standards: CDM Gold Standard

Question 8

Different Compensation Organizations around the world

Answer 8

UK: ClimateCare
Germany, Austria, Swiss: MyClimate, Atmosfair
USA: Sustainable Travel International

Question 9

Compensation Project examples

Answer 9

1. Biogas (India + Kenya) - alternative to wood, gas, kerosene (jobs in construction and maintenance)
2. Solar collectors (Georgia) - source of renewable energy, promotion of local-know-how
3. Energy saving (Germany) - knowledge transfer, enviro commitment

Question 10

Pros for Climate Compensation

Answer 10

• enviro friendly projects supported
• travellers get more conscious on footprint
• some travellers will reduce number of flights (due to expense)

Question 11

Cons for Climate Compensation

Answer 11

• makes people feel good but doesn’t prevent further CO2 emissions
• diff methods of calculation (= diff costs)
• not complete sum goes to project (20%+ needed for overhead)

Question 12

Emission trading system in Europe

Answer 12

• aviation industry responsible for emitting large amounts of CO2
• EU considers ETS will let airlines to CO2 reduction

Question 13

European Emission Trading System

Answer 13

• initiated 2005
• 31 + members
• 28 EU member (+ Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein)
• most important and worlds largest Climate protection system
• introduction for air traffic in 2012

Goal: CO2 emission reduction