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International cooperation

International cooperation. Part IV. The UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol. Session 7. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Main outcome of IPCC and the Rio Earth Summit (1992), and first international agreement on climate Choice between 2 possible options:

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International cooperation

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  1. International cooperation Part IV

  2. The UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol Session 7

  3. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) • Main outcome of IPCC and the Rio Earth Summit (1992), and first international agreement on climate • Choice between 2 possible options: • A global treaty on the atmosphere • A treaty focused on climate change • General objective: the stabilisation of a GHG concentration at a level that would avoid dangerous interference with the climate • Two key priciples: • Common but differentiated responsibility • Respective capacities.

  4. Not binding, no mandatory limits for GHG emissions. Sole obligation: GHG inventory to be submitted each year. • Three important mechanisms: • Mandatory protocols • Countries divided in Annex I countries, Annex II countries (a subset of Annex I) and developing countries • This division has not changed since. • COP to be held every year

  5. The Kyoto Protocol • Mandatory update of UNFCCC • Opened for signature in 1997, entered into force 8 years later • Conditions: 55 parties, and 55% of CO2 emissions • 176 countries have ratified. Only 37 have to reduce their emissions

  6. General design of the Protocol • Fixed term: expires in 2012 • General objectives: cut GHG emissions by an average 5% from 1990 (base year) • Underpinning principle: common but differentiated responsibility • Distinction between Annex I countries and non Annex I countries • Flexible mechanisms • Heavy emphasis on mitigation, little emphasis on adaptation

  7. Kyoto and Europe • All EU-members’ ratifications deposited simultaneoulsy on 31 May 2002 • EU counted as an individual entity • EU produces about 22% of gas emissions • Agreed to a cut of 8% from 1990 levels • One of the major supporters of the treaty • EU elected to be treated as a ‘bubble’, and created an EU Emissions Trading Scheme • France: 0%. No need to cut emissions • Germany: -21%. Has reduced its emissions by 17.2% between 1990 and 2004. • UK: -12.5%. Appears to be on course to meet its target.

  8. Different commitments

  9. Flexible mechanisms • Innovative aspect of the Kyoto Protocol • Mechanisms relying on the market, rather than on states • Highly criticised as paramount of ‘environmental liberalism’ • Three mechanisms: • Carbon market (‘cap and trade’) • Clean Development Mechanism • Joint Implementation

  10. The carbon market:The EU Emission Trading Scheme • General principle: maximisation of economic efficiency – at the expense of ethics? • Industries are given quotas of emission allowances • Application of the ‘polluter pays’ principle • Scheme started in 2005, all 27 countries take part • Problems: • Price of carbon highly versatile • Covers about half of the EU’s CO2 emissions • Too many quotas on the market • Third phase 2013-2020, with auctioning and a central authority • Crippled with corruption problems

  11. Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) • Aims to combine development and climate, equity and efficiency • Economic efficiency: costs of abatment are cheaper in developing countries • Functioning: • Alternative to domestic reductions • Allow Annex I countries to invest in projects that reduce emissions in developing countries • New carbon credits: Certified Emission Reductions (CERs)

  12. Geographical distribution of CDMs

  13. Criticism • Reality of avoided emissions • Principle of additionality • Incentive to misrepresent reality • Overpricing and overestimation • Unlimited credits • A country could completely externalise its efforts • Transfer of emissions? • Development objectives ? • Almost no CDM projects in Africa

  14. Joint implementation • Similar mechanism as CDM, but in Annex I countries (i.e. In Eastern Europe and Russia) • Provides Emission Reduction Units (ERUs), where 1 ERU = 1 ton of CO2 • No new credits • Long and fastidious process

  15. Some final words • Kyoto is an agreement betweenindustrialised countries, wheredeveloping countries are mostlyoberservers: • No limits on emissions • Do not benefitfrom flexible mechanisms • Treatyfocused on mitigation, not adaptation • Role of civil society in international cooperation? • Role of local entities?

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