The Kyoto Protocol
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Transcript of The Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto ProtocolThe Kyoto Protocol
Reaching Global Agreements 1997Reaching Global Agreements 1997
What is the Kyoto Protocol?What is the Kyoto Protocol? A global Agreement that set targets for A global Agreement that set targets for
reducing greenhouse gas emissionsreducing greenhouse gas emissions 175 countries signed up175 countries signed up
Kyoto Protocol Aims:Kyoto Protocol Aims: Share of CO2 Emissions Share of CO2 Emissions
in 1990 in 1990 Industrialised countries Industrialised countries to cut emissions to 5% to cut emissions to 5% below 1990 levels by below 1990 levels by 2008/122008/12
Had varying targets EU Had varying targets EU by 8% and Japan 5% (It by 8% and Japan 5% (It is a lower polluter) is a lower polluter)
Countries like Iceland Countries like Iceland were allowed to were allowed to increase emissionsincrease emissions
ProblemsProblems Some delayed in signing up to Kyoto such as Some delayed in signing up to Kyoto such as
Russia who signed in 2004Russia who signed in 2004 Some still have not. Australia the world’s 2Some still have not. Australia the world’s 2ndnd
largest polluter per capita.largest polluter per capita. USA initially signed but then withdrew in USA initially signed but then withdrew in
2001 following GW Bush’s election (USA 2001 following GW Bush’s election (USA emit 25% of world emissions)emit 25% of world emissions)
Success?Success? Overall most Industrialised Overall most Industrialised
countries such as UK cut countries such as UK cut emissions to 3% below 1990 emissions to 3% below 1990 by 2000by 2000
Collapse of former USSR Collapse of former USSR mainly the reasonmainly the reason
Emissions from other high Emissions from other high emitters actually rose 8%emitters actually rose 8%
UN reckons it will emit UN reckons it will emit 10% 10% ABOVEABOVE 1990 levels 1990 levels by 2010by 2010
Many developing countries signed up but Many developing countries signed up but didn’t commit to actual figures.didn’t commit to actual figures.
The EU will meet its target France, Sweden The EU will meet its target France, Sweden and UK didand UK did
Spain, Portugal and Ireland have made no Spain, Portugal and Ireland have made no progress.progress.
Many scientists believe Kyoto targets are far Many scientists believe Kyoto targets are far to low and believe not 5% but 60% is to low and believe not 5% but 60% is necessary.necessary.
Implications for the UKImplications for the UK A change from coal to cleaner gas fired power A change from coal to cleaner gas fired power
stations has helped reduce emissionsstations has helped reduce emissions Renewable energy policy of 10% of electricity is Renewable energy policy of 10% of electricity is
near to target yet unlikely to reach it as a wholenear to target yet unlikely to reach it as a whole Government has taxed petrol to help curb Government has taxed petrol to help curb
demand. Protests have followed and are likely to demand. Protests have followed and are likely to continue.continue.
Big reductions can only be met by moving to Big reductions can only be met by moving to nuclear however this brings it’s own set of issuesnuclear however this brings it’s own set of issues
So what for the future?So what for the future? Renewable energy can only supply 10-15% of Renewable energy can only supply 10-15% of
the UK’s energy needsthe UK’s energy needs Must replace coal fired with nuclear power Must replace coal fired with nuclear power
stationsstations Building nuclear power plants takes timeBuilding nuclear power plants takes time
What is Carbon What is Carbon offsetting?offsetting?
Forests and woodland cover Forests and woodland cover 10% of the UK and they absorb 10% of the UK and they absorb COCO2 2 and store it and store it
Several UK and EU schemes Several UK and EU schemes allow businesses to offset their allow businesses to offset their emissions by planting treesemissions by planting trees
However there is a limit to the However there is a limit to the amount of COamount of CO22 that they can that they can hold and therefore are limited in hold and therefore are limited in viabilityviability
UK woodland removes 4 UK woodland removes 4 million tonnes a yearmillion tonnes a year
UK emits 150 million tonnes it UK emits 150 million tonnes it would take a huge increase in would take a huge increase in woodland to offset all of UK woodland to offset all of UK emissionsemissions
AlternativesAlternatives
Biomass fuelsBiomass fuels Wood fuelWood fuel Ethanol and bio dieselEthanol and bio diesel Alcohol fermented from Alcohol fermented from
sugarsugar Oil extracted from Oil extracted from
soybeanssoybeans Methane Gas coming Methane Gas coming
from rubbish dumpsfrom rubbish dumps
ProblemsProblems Unfortunately these rely on removing plants Unfortunately these rely on removing plants
from the planet thus removing a carbon sink from the planet thus removing a carbon sink and need to be followed by mass replanting and need to be followed by mass replanting schemesschemes
Growing biofuels reduces the land available to Growing biofuels reduces the land available to grow foodgrow food
Reducing Our Carbon footprintReducing Our Carbon footprint Individuals can make a differenceIndividuals can make a difference Turn lights outTurn lights out Don’t leave on ‘Stand-by’Don’t leave on ‘Stand-by’ Walk or ride rather than driveWalk or ride rather than drive Take the bus or public transportTake the bus or public transport Get eco friendly washing machines, fridges etcGet eco friendly washing machines, fridges etc Together it can make a difference.Together it can make a difference.
The Stern ReviewThe Stern Review 2006 UK Govt reviewed 2006 UK Govt reviewed
global warmingglobal warming Focused on impacts and Focused on impacts and
the actions neededthe actions needed Argued it could be Argued it could be
reduced if emissions were reduced if emissions were stabilised by 2025 and fell stabilised by 2025 and fell 1-3% annually thereafter1-3% annually thereafter
Costs would be 1% of Costs would be 1% of GDP to invest.GDP to invest.
Key FeaturesKey Features Increased global flood riskIncreased global flood risk Fall in crop yields especially Africa due to Fall in crop yields especially Africa due to
climate shiftsclimate shifts Rising sea levels effecting 200m peopleRising sea levels effecting 200m people Extinction of 40% of earth’s species due to Extinction of 40% of earth’s species due to
destruction of coral reefsdestruction of coral reefs
Economic ImpactsEconomic Impacts More extreme weather leads to increased costs More extreme weather leads to increased costs
equal to 1% of GDPequal to 1% of GDP 2-32-3ooC rise in temps reducing global economic C rise in temps reducing global economic
output by 3%output by 3% Poor countries ability to cope would be Poor countries ability to cope would be
reduced with lack of basics like waterreduced with lack of basics like water
OptionsOptions Reduce demand for heavily polluting goods Reduce demand for heavily polluting goods
and servicesand services Improve efficiency of global energy supplyImprove efficiency of global energy supply Prevent global deforestationPrevent global deforestation Promote cleaner energy technologyPromote cleaner energy technology
UK Government ResponseUK Government Response Set targets to reduce emissions by 30% by Set targets to reduce emissions by 30% by
2020 and 60% by 20502020 and 60% by 2050 Pass laws on carbon reduction targetsPass laws on carbon reduction targets Invest in green technology creating 100,00 Invest in green technology creating 100,00
new jobsnew jobs Create a $20 billion World Bank Fund to help Create a $20 billion World Bank Fund to help
poorer countriespoorer countries
Sustainable EnergySustainable Energy Wave PowerWave Power
Sustainable EnergySustainable Energy Wind PowerWind Power
Sustainable EnergySustainable Energy Hydro Electric PowerHydro Electric Power
Sustainable EnergySustainable Energy Solar PowerSolar Power
Sustainable EnergySustainable Energy WindWind WaveWave WaterWater SolarSolar These account for only 2% of world electricity These account for only 2% of world electricity
productionproduction What are there criticisms?What are there criticisms?
CostsCosts It would be very expensive to shift to these It would be very expensive to shift to these
power sourcespower sources Governments do not like to reduce national Governments do not like to reduce national
incomeincome Growth that is fossil fuel driven needs to endGrowth that is fossil fuel driven needs to end
The EndThe End