Analysis of Global Efforts to Delay the Effects of Climate Change

8/7/2019 Analysis of Global Efforts to Delay the Effects of Climate Change

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Analysis of global efforts to delay the effects of climate change

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Table of ContentsIntroduction ..................................................................................................... 2

Effects of Climate Change ................................................................................. 2

Analysis of Global Climate Change Efforts ....................................................... 3

Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions ...................................................... 5

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) ... 6

Kyoto Protocol .............................................................................. 6Copenhagen Accord ...................................................................... 6

In Pursuit of Green Energy ............................................................................ 5

The Adoption of Greener Sources of Energy ........................................... 5

International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) .................................... 5

Methane to Markets Partnership ............................................................ 5

Non-Governmental Initiatives ....................................................................... 5Global Campaign for Climate Action (GCCA) ........................................... 5

World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) ............. 5

Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 4

Bibliography ..................................................................................................... 4


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Introduction

We are living on this planet as if we had another one to go to.

Terri Swearingen, 1997 Goldman Environmental Prize Winner

The 3rd Assessment Report authored by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate

Change clearly states that there has been discernable human influence on global

climate. This stand was echoed by the US Global Change Research Program in

their June 2008 report, stipulating that climate change is unequivocally and primarily

human-induced. Indeed, the human race has played a fundamental role in the

inception of climate change, with the combustion of fossil fuels, the usage of

nitrogen-based fertilizers and the deforestation of forests to make space for human

settlements. Climate change brings with it a myriad of consequences, mostly

negative and unwanted.

There have been several international initiatives to deal with climate change. In this

report, we will be analyzing some of them and determining their effectiveness in

delaying the effects of climate change.


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Effects of Climate Change

All over the world, temperatures are expected to rise due to climate change. In fact,

11 of the dozen warmest years since 1850 have occurred in the past 12 years1.

Increasing temperatures bring increased risks of drought and fire. These can cause

crop yields to decline, leading to the starvation of millions.

Figure 1: Global Warming Temperature Anomaly Projections

Image Courtesy: Robert A. Rohde

1Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)


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Ice has also begun to melt at the polar ice caps, glaciers and the Greenland ice

sheet. The situation has become so dire that the Arctic Ocean is estimated to have

40% less ice by 2030 and could even become ice-free by 20502. These will cause

sea levels to rise, inundating low lying areas and damaging property.

"On the island where I live, it is possible to throw a stone from one side to the other. Our

fears about sea level rise are very real. Our Cabinet has been exploring the possibility of

buying land in a nearby country in case we become refugees of climate change.

Teleke Lauti, Minister for the Environment, Tuvalu.

An increase in water temperatures caused by climate change will increase the

frequency and magnitude of storms worldwide and bleach corals, which generate

US$375 billion in goods and services annually and support the livelihoods of 500

million people all over the world.3

There is no debate regarding the severity of climate change and the devastation it

can bring. Something must be done to deal with climate change and its adverse

consequences.

2Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

3National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - United States Department of Commerce


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Analysis of Global Climate Change Efforts

Plans to protect air and water, wilderness and wildlife are in fact plans to protect man.

Stewart Udall, United States Secretary of the Interior from 1961 to 1969

Climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts in

the history of mankind can be likened to a long dusty

Texan country road leading to nowhere. The climate

change conferences, treaties and protocols are like the

occasional ramshackle huts dotting the horizon, few

and far in between, each one no more useful than the

one preceding it. Occasionally there are some that

look promising. However, none can house the 7 billion

people in the world. After all, dealing with climate

change is an all or nothing business. You either save the world or you do not. Up to now, we

are still in desperate need of a ramshackle hut that can house the entire human race.

Climate change is theoretically the perfect topic for an international agreement. After

all, all 194 countries in the world4 contribute to, and are affected by climate change

and should therefore be willing to help stop it. However, it is very hard to agree on

exactly what to do and how to do it. Such an international agreement would have to

encompass a mechanism that is stringent, equitable and cost effective. No wonder

the global initiatives in human history can be likened to ramshackle huts along a

Texan country road, few, far in between, and not able to save the world.

4United States State Department


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We will now be analysing some of the more prominent and promising global

initiatives within the last two decades. The case studies have been segregated into

three different sections based on their objectives. The three sections are as follows:

Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, In pursuit of green energy and Non-

governmental initiatives.

Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

In this section, we will be focusing solely on the United Nations

Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as it is

most prominent global initiative to stop climate change by reducing greenhouse gas

emissions. It is an international treaty drafted and adopted in June 1992. Annual

meetings called the Conferences of the Parties (COP) are held for all the parties that

have ratified the UNFCCC. The objective of these meetings is to formulate policies,

treaties and legislation to combat climate change. The famous Kyoto Protocol was

drafted and adopted in 1997 at COP 3, while the latest COP is in fact the widely

covered Copenhagen Summit. We will discuss them in further detail later in this

section.


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The objective of the UNFCCC is as follows:

to achieve, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Convention, stabilization of

greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous

anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Such a level should be achieved within a

time-frame sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure

that food production is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a

sustainable manner.

Full Text of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

However, there is an inherent problem in the UNFCCC treaty. The treaty does not

set a compulsory limit on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that countries

can emit. Every pledge is therefore self-decided and self-imposed. There is also an

absence of enforcement mechanisms, meaning that every pledge is self-regulated.

What do you get when you leave several children in an empty room and tell them not

to quarrel? Similarly, without stringent enforcement measures, governments will be

insufficiently pressured to meet their targets.

There are also many conflicts between developing and developed countries

regarding the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. As Stephen Leahy puts it,

What is abundantly clear is the enormous divide between the rich and poor countries. Poor

countries want deep cuts in emissions by the industrialized world, and the latter continue to

resist significant cuts and legally binding targets.

Stephen Leahy, Climate Change: History Was Not Made, 19th

December, 2009


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Developing countries feel that although they

do need to attempt to become greener,

developed countries should do much more.

This is because the greenhouse gas

emissions per capita in developed countries

are higher as compared to that of developing

countries in the past and present. In Figure 2,

it can be observed that the carbon dioxide

emissions per capita in high income

countries are much more than that of low

income countries. Developing countries

should not be forced to pay for the enjoyment of

developed countries. This is the Principle of

Common but Differentiated Responsibilities5,

which even the UNFCCC recognizes. After all, developing countries are usually the

ones heavily burdened with social problems and yet to fulfil the Millennium Goals set

by the United Nations (UN).

However, in the attempt to defend their current living standards,

developed countries, led by the US feel that countries must carry

the same burden, developing or not, stating claims that developing

countries will be experiencing rapid growth in the future, especially

China and India. If they were not bound by such legislation, their

greenhouse gas emissions would go through the roof.

5UNFCCC COP 3 Kyoto Protocol

Figure 2: Carbon Dioxide Emissions in Tonnes per

Capita (2002)

Image Credits: World Bank


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Such conflicts outline international discussions and policy drafting conferences,

making it hard to draft something that pleases everybody. The US is not in

agreement with the Kyoto Protocol, while almost nobody is in agreement with the

Copenhagen Accord.

Kyoto Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol was drafted and adopted at COP 3 in 1997. As of September

2010, 192 countries have signed the protocol6. Its objectives are best summarized

by the following abstract:

After 10 days of tough negotiations, ministers and other high-level officials from 160

countries reached agreement this morning on a legally binding Protocol under which

industrialized countries will reduce their collective emissions of greenhouse gases by 5.2%.

The agreement aims to lower overall emissions from a group of six greenhouse gases by

2008-12, calculated as an average over these five years. Cuts in the three most important

gases - carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N20) - will be measured

against a base year of 1990. Cuts in three long-lived industrial gases - hydrofluorocarbons

(HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) - can be measured against

either a 1990 or 1995 baseline.

Industrialized countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2%, Press release from the

United Nations Environment Program, 11th

December 1997

Every participating country sets its own target for reducing greenhouse gas

emissions. As mentioned earlier, this type of self-decided and self-regulated targets

are not able to effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Several countries,

6Official Website of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change


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notably the US, are also yet to set a definite target. The US is the second largest

greenhouse gas emitter and the country with the largest greenhouse gas emissions

per capita. Thus, the failure of the US to comply has already dug the grave for the

Protocol.

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is a flexible structure implemented by

the Protocol that allows countries to meet their targets by carrying out green projects

in developing countries. Although it provides a pathway where developing countries

can develop sustainably under the funding of developed countries (therefore putting

the monetary burden on the developed countries), it is highly controversial, with its

fair share of problems.

The CDM could cause developing countries to become increasingly dependent on

developed countries for green projects and initiatives. Developed countries might

also impose projects on developing countries that are contrary to their development

interests. In some cases, the projects make job promises to the locals in exchange

for cooperation, which are never fulfilled. In general, the CDM allows rich countries to

continue utilizing fossil fuels while paying the poor not to.

There are significant constraints to the continuing growth of the CDM as a key instrument

to support mitigation efforts in developing countries.

World Development Report 2010: Development and Climate Change by the World Bank

In conclusion, the Kyoto Protocol can be deemed a failure. It is highly unlikely that

the self-decided and self-regulated targets will be met. The treaty was adopted in


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1997, but by 2005, emissions had grown by 24%7. This trend can be clearly

observed in Figure 3.

Figure 3: Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions Worldwide (1990 - 2007)8

Climate policy, as it has been understood and practiced by many governments of the world

under the Kyoto Protocol approach, has failed to produce any discernable real world

reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases in fifteen years. The underlying reason for this is

that the UNFCCC/Kyoto model was structurally flawed and doomed to fail

The Hartwell Paper, London School of Economics, May 2010

7World Bank, 2010

8United States Energy Information Administration Report


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Copenhagen Accord

The Copenhagen Summit (COP 15), held from the 7th - 18th of

December 2009, was mostly characterized by fierce debates between

developing and developed countries, with the lack of a concrete, binding

treaty, agreement or document.

"The summit as of this morning is a summit in crisis. Only the arrival of heads of state could

bring the summit to a successful conclusion.

The Head of the United Nations Environmental Program in an interview with BBC, on the

18th

of December, the last day of the Summit

On the very last day of the Summit, in a bid to come up with something, 5 countries,

India, China, Brazil, South Africa and the US, met up without informing the other

member countries, and drew up the Copenhagen Accord, the only substantial

document to ever have come out of the Copenhagen Summit. This document is non-

binding and simply states the intention of countries to limit warming to no more than

2C above pre-industrial levels. Undoubtedly, many delegations were visibly

offended at being excluded from this backroom meeting. In the words of the Bolivian

delegation, the means at which the Accord was reached was anti-democratic, anti-

transparent and unacceptable. Some therefore decided not to support it. In the end,

the Accord had no legal standing under the UNFCCC. Member countries merely

noted its existence and stated whether they were for or against it.


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In Pursuit of Green Energy

"Climate change is not just another issue. It is the issuethat, unchecked, will swamp all other issues. The only

hope lies in all the countries of the world coming

together around a common global project to rewire the

world with clean energy. This is a path to peace --- peace

among people, and peace between people and nature.

Ross Gelbspan, American activist and author of The

Heat is on and Boiling Point

Energy is a fundamental human need. Without it, everything would come to a

standstill. In todays world, mankind faces several monumental challenges:

increasing energy demand, the depletion of fossil fuel stores and climate change.

These contribute to the urgent need to transform the energy sector from one heavily

reliant on fossil fuels to one that utilizes greener sources of energy. In this section,

we would be discussing three case studies: The adoption of greener sources of

energy, the International Renewable Energy Agency, and the Methane to Markets

Partnership.

The Adoption of Greener Sources of Energy

The spin-off benefits of a renewable powered future are simply too good to ignore. By their

very nature, renewable energies are secure, affordable, easily accessible, and clean. And

because of these traits, it can preserve the environment and protect our climate. It can boost

economic growth and create local jobs that will lead to regional development. It can even

increase social cohesion and make the worlds energy supplies more secure.

Hlne Pelosse, Director General of IRENA


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causing a transition towards gas and other alternatives such as geothermal energy.

This has caused the usage of such alternatives (Other) to increase from 0.7% in

1973 to 1.8% in 2008.

Figure 5: World Energy Consumption and their Sources (1971 - 2005)9 10

In Figure 5, the thin red line representing renewable energy gradually becomes

visible as time progresses, showing the gradual increase in the usage of green

energy, though fossil fuels still provide approximately 75% of the worlds energy

requirements.

The adoption of green energy is a separate venture by different countries, but under

the same global goal to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and to stop climate

change. Countries have to start shifting towards greener sources of energy, such as


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Various UN organizations work in the field of renewable energy. But IRENA is the only one

dedicated to the promotion of 100% renewable energy worldwide. IRENA and the UN will

join forces to speed up the transformation of the global energy sector

Hlne Pelosse, Director General of IRENA

A possible reason for the slow uptake of renewables as mentioned earlier is the fact

that the path towards green energy is a hard one. There are numerous obstacles,

such as lengthy paperwork, import tariffs and technical barriers. IRENA intends to

formulate comprehensive solutions to such problems. It will also provide

governments with advice, information and support with regards to policy drafting,

financial mechanisms and best practices.

The creation of IRENA can be seen as the most important decision ever taken on the global

level in favour of renewable energy. The founding of IRENA sent out a very strong signal to

the world community that renewable energy will have to play and will play a key role in the

future energy supply all over the world.

The World Wind Energy Association after giving their 2010 World Wind Energy Award to

the founding member states of IRENA

The formation of IRENA was a huge step in the pursuit of green energy. With the

legislative power of the UN, it intends to blast through the financial, technological and

political barriers that block the road to a future powered by green energy. It is by far

the most prominent global initiative, with the backing of numerous countries,

alliances and associations. As it is still fairly young, it is still hard to tell if it will do any


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good. However, with a substantial host of accolades and awards so far, expectations

are extremely high.

Methane to Markets Partnership

The Methane to Markets Partnership is an international initiative between countries

to recover methane from sources such as coal mines and landfills for usage as an

alternative source of energy. This initiative comprises of two thrusts. Firstly, it

removes methane from the atmosphere, which made up 10.5% of global greenhouse

gas emissions in 200812. Although methane levels are lower than that of carbon

dioxide, it is 25 times better at trapping atmospheric heat. Next, the captured

methane is combusted to produce energy. This energy source does not produce as

much carbon dioxide as other fossil fuels, with the emission of 30% less carbon

dioxide than oil, and 45% less carbon dioxide than coal13.

The Methane to Markets Partnership is a true success story in the fight against climate

change and the transition to a clean energy economy. Methane to Markets is helping

countries mitigate climate change, develop new sources of clean energy, and protect their

local environments.

Gina McCarthy, AssistantAdministrator for EPAs Office of Air and current chair of the

Methane to Markets steering committee

12United States Energy Information Administration, 2008

13Natural Gas Supply Association, 2010


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There are many initiatives with regards to alternative sources of energy. However,

what is interesting about this global partnership is the fact that it reduces greenhouse

gas emissions, promotes a shift towards green energy and generates huge amounts

of wealth all at the same time. The typical global initiative shows the economy being

pitted against the environment. However, in this instance, we get to eat the cake and

keep it too. Equipped with this particular unique characteristic, it is bound to be very

effective, propelled forward by the greed of countries, which usually barricades the

way for other global initiatives against climate change. This explains why the US is

playing such an active role in this particular venture, being the country steering and

leading the partnership. Due to the sheer importance of the US and it being one of

the major polluters, any agreement actively backed by her is likely to be successful.

In this section, we have analyzed the effectiveness of the adoption of green energy,

IRENA and the Methane to Markets Partnership against climate change. In summary,

although countries are indeed adopting green energy, the level of uptake is very slow.

IRENA intends to change that. Being empowered by the UN, it has done wonders

despite only being founded in 2009. The Methane to Markets Partnership has by far

the most ingenious idea yet, reducing greenhouse gases, providing green energy

and generating funds all at the same time. It has also managed to get the US

actively promoting it, which is no easy feat. If we compare these initiatives with the

earlier section on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the adoption of green

energy has seen much more achievements and progress.


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Non-Governmental Initiatives

People all over the world are watching. They watch the Copenhagen Summit

disintegrate and fall to pieces. They watch movies such as TheAge of Stupid and

read books such as Earth in the Balance. And many are unhappy. Some decide to

take matters into their own hands, but to do that, they would have to become

empowered. They would have to unite together under one banner and attempt to win

with numbers. This is how many non-governmental organizations and campaigns

begin. In this section on non-governmental initiatives, we will be discussing two such

examples: the Global Campaign for Climate Action and the World Business Council

for Sustainable Development.

Global Campaign for Climate Action

There are countless non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that campaign for

action against climate change. The Global Campaign for Climate Action (GCCA) is

one of the few ventures that unite all these non-governmental alliances, trade unions

and faith groups under a single name, making it a global initiative. Organizations

participating in the GCCA include the World Wildlife Fund, Avaaz and Greenpeace.

The GCCA attempts to galvanize governments and the masses to support rapid

action against climate change. As the GCCA is non-governmental, it has to resort to

petitions, protests and demonstrations to bring its message across.

The problem with such NGOs is that they usually lack legislative and political power.

They are only attempting to influence government decisions, which are often made


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without considering the actions of these NGOs, as the government takes into

consideration other factors that are considered of higher priority, such as economic

growth and business interests.

However, they do help to increase community awareness and act as a constant

reminder to the human race that the problem called climate change still exists, just

like an alarm clock programmed with a snooze function. We should therefore give

them some credit for that.


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World Business Council for Sustainable Development

Respondents identifiedthe World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) to be the most influential forums.

Race to the Top: Attracting and Enabling Global Sustainable Business, a 2003 World Bank

and International Finance Corporation (IFC) commissioned study.

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is a NGO

comprising of 189 international companies, including well-known companies such as

Coca-Cola, Sony and General Motors. These companies feel that it is possible to

merge business with sustainable development, two seemingly opposing elements.

The purpose of the WBCSD is to provide a platform where companies can come

together to conceptualize ideas and to share expertise, knowledge and resources in

the common goal to achieve sustainable growth and development.

Business is goodfor sustainable development and

sustainable development is good for business.

Adaptedfrom WBCSDs 10 messages by which to operate

Many governments are fearful of backlash by companies if they were to promise to

cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, or if they were to crack down on illegal

waste dumping or the unsustainable usage of resources. However, the formation of

the WBCSD proves to the world that such fears are unsupported. It makes a

powerful statement, as these international companies are intent on going green even

though they will probably lose out financially by doing so. Although the WBCSD is

simply a NGO, it is still extremely powerful, due to the fact that many large

international companies and businesses, such as Rio Tinto and IBM are its active


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members. This effectively puts sustainable development on the political agenda. A

2006 GlobeScan survey surveyed experts on the importance of various

organizations in the advancement of sustainable development. The WBCSD took

second place, with approval rates of 54%, losing only to the EU14.

Figure 6: Results of the GlobeScan Survey 2006

In conclusion, although NGOs typically lack political and legislative power and

influence, they still attempt to get their message across by bringing many companies,

organizations and people under a single banner, causing the whole to be greater

than the sum of its parts. They also help to act as a constant reminder to the human

race that the problem called climate change still exists, and is yet to be solved.

14GlobeScan Survey of Sustainability Experts, by GlobeScan Incorporated, 20

thJuly 2006


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Conclusion

Global efforts to delay the effects of climate change have varying levels of

effectiveness. Some are hindered by factors such as the lack of legislative power

and general apathy. Others are more successful as they possess the essential

elements such as stringent enforcement measures, high cost effectiveness and the

strong support of governments.

The general consensus is that the current progress is still not enough. There may be

ramshackle huts that may be able to house thousands. Some have a carrying

capacity of millions. However, these huts combined are still unable to contain the 7

billion people in the world. Mary Robinson, the President of Ireland from 1990 1997

referred to climate change and commented that we are not showing the intelligent

capability of leadership to deal with it. Something redemptory and revolutionary

needs to be done, and fast. If not in the near future, we may find that there is no

longer a need for us to do so.


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Documents

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