How realistic is International agreement on GHG Emissions

How realistic is International agreement on GHG Emissions?

Montreal Protocol § CFCs identified as causing hole in the ozone layer § 1987 – Montreal protocol signed § Original target was 50% cut of 100 gases in 12 years § Actually achieved 100% in 10 years

Why Not GHG Emissions? § As you watch the video: § What is the big disagreement between developed and developing countries regarding cutting GHG emissions? § What does the video show as the biggest problem at the end?

The Kyoto Protocol § Signed December 19 th 1997 § Committed countries to individual targets § Minimum of reducing CO 2 5% from 1990 levels 2008 - 2012

Kyoto Rationale § Placed main burden on developed than developing § Developed more able to pay costs § Developed done more historical damage

Carbon Trading § Given legitimacy by inclusion in Kyoto § Established EU Emission Trading scheme § Countries given ‘cap’ on greenhouse emissions linked to meeting Kyoto § Able to trade carbon credits on open market § Market decides prices

Carbon Offsetting § Available at Individual and Business level § Allows people to buy clean carbon credits § Offsets their emissions and reduces footprint § Controversial because of variable quality of offset § Average price is $10 a tonne

Kyoto Failure § Governments of US, Australia and Canda failed to ratify § Toothless - no penalties for non compliance § Voluntary not binding targets

Some Questions § Is an international treaty the right way to reduce emissions? § What alternatives are there? § Should targets be binding or voluntary? § How enforce these targets?

Current Targets § Canada – 30% below 2005 levels in 2030 § 17% cut since 1990 § Initially not tar sands but now changed § $50 a tonne carbon tax by 2022 § EU – 40% cut 1990 levels by 2030 § November 2014 – China – US deal § China peak by 2030 § US cut 28% below 2005 by 2025 § G 7 – “decarbonise the global economy” § End all fossil fuel use by 2100

COP 21 – Paris 2015 § As you watch the video: § What commitment was made by 100 cities at the COP 21 Conference. § What hard target was Established? § What soft target was aimed for?

Devil in the detail? § No specific national targets § Nations decide own targets and how reach them § “United Nations states must act together in order to halt the dangerous climate change. However, these efforts must be tailored to the capabilities of the individual countries. They should ensure a balance in commitments between states in a different condition and at different stages of development. ”

§ § § Submit in 2018 and update very 5 years Not binding and no punishment Needs to be ratified by 55 countries with 55% of global emissions June 1 st 2017 – USA officially withdraws from Paris Agreement Dec 2018 – Plans submitted. N 0 G 20 country has targets that would meet Paris goals https: //climateactiontracker. org/countries/