international cooperation part iv. the unfccc and the kyoto protocol session 7
TRANSCRIPT
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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)
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
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
Some final words Kyoto is an agreement between industrialised
countries, where developing countries are mostly oberservers:
No limits on emissions Do not benefit from flexible mechanisms Treaty focused on mitigation, not adaptation
Role of civil society in international cooperation?
Role of local entities?