Origins of the CDM - Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol

1. Capacity Development for the Clean Development Mechanism (CD4CDM) Project 2nd National Workshop on the Capacity Development for the Clean Development Mechanism (CD4CDM) in Cambodia 4 November 2003, MiCasa Hotel, Phnom Penh Origins of the CDM -Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol Presented by Chea Chan Thou NTC Member, Ministry of Environment

2. Content • The Greenhouse Effect • Climate Change • The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) • The Kyoto Protocol

3. The Greenhouse Effect (1) • The warming of the atmosphere by heat reflected from the earth is called the greenhouse effect. • The greenhouse effect actually makes the earth habitable. Without the greenhouse effect, the earth would be much colder. • Main greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere include water vapor, CO2 , CH4, N2O. • Increased concentration of GHGs causes more heat to be retained in the atmosphere and more heat to be reflected back to the earth surface and this will lead to a rise in average global temperatures (global warming).

4. The Greenhouse Effect (2)

5. The Greenhouse Effect (3) • Increased GHGs have been released into the atmosphere by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, mining activities, vehicle emissions, deforestation etc., that may enhance the greenhouse effect. • The concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has increased from 295 parts per million (ppm) in 1870 to 370 ppm in 2000.

6. The Greenhouse Effect (4)

7. Climate Change (1) • Weather: hourly or daily fluctuations in the atmosphere • Climate: the “average” of a series of weather events over 30-year period • What Is the Climate Change? • “Any change in climate over time, whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity”.(Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change - IPCC)

8. Climate Change (2) Evidence of Climate Change • The global average surface temperature has increased in the 20th century by about 0.6oC. • Snow cover and ice extent have decreased. • Floods and droughts have occurred more frequently in the recent years. • Average sea level has increased (0.1-0.2m in the 20th century).

9. Climate Change (3) IPCC projected for 2100: 1. The average global surface temperature will increase by 1.4 to 5.8oC. 2. Global average water vapor concentration and precipitation will increase. 3. Global mean sea level will rise by 0.09 to 0.88 m.

10. Climate Change (4)

11. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (1) • In Rio de Janeiro (June 1992), the international community took the first steps to combat climate change by introducing the UNFCCC. • The UNFCCC was adopted by most developed and developing countries. The Convention entered into force in March 1994. • In December 2001, the Convention has received 186 instruments of ratification.

12. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (2) • The UNFCCC is a foundation of global efforts to combat global warming. • The objective of the UNFCCC is “Stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with climate system”. • The Convention sets out some guiding principles: • Precautionary principle; • Common but differentiated responsibilities; • Needs of developing countries for sustainable development.

13. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (3) • The uppermost body of the Convention is the Conference of the Parties (CoP), which is responsible for achieving its objective. • Since 1995, the CoP has held annual meeting and this year it will be held in Italy (CoP-9). • The Convention is supported by the IPCC (a panel of 2,500 scientists) which has concluded that “Climate change is real and human activities are contributing to it.”

14. The Kyoto Protocol (1) • What is the Kyoto Protocol? • An international agreement to address climate change by reducing greenhouse gases emissions. • In 1997, at COP 3, the Kyoto Protocol was adopted. • Industrialized countries have to reduce their GHGs emissions by 5% compared to their 1990 level for the period 2008-2012. • Developing countries do not have to reduce their emissions, but have to participate in global efforts. • The reduction targets cover six main GHGs: CO2, CH4, N2O, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6).

15. The Kyoto Protocol (2) • After more than 4 years of discussions, in 2001 governments agreed to the Marrakech Accords on how to implement this Kyoto Protocol. • The Protocol establishes 3 cooperative mechanisms to help industrialized countries to meet their emission targets by achieving emission reductions at lower costs through: • International Emission Trading; • Joint Implementation (JI); and • The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

16. The Kyoto Protocol (3) • As of 3January 2003, 102 countries had ratified the Kyoto Protocol, including European countries, Canada and Japan, plus a large number of developing countries. • Cambodia ratified the Kyoto Protocol on 4 July 2002. • Article 12.2 of the Kyoto Protocol states “The purpose of the Clean Development Mechanism shall be to assist parties not included in Annex I in achieving sustainable development and contributing to the ultimate objective of the Convention, and to assist parties included in Annex I in achieving compliance with their quantified emission limitation and reduce commitments under Article 3”.

17. Thank you ! Any questions?