Climate Change. What is the current thinking on drivers, projections, appropriat

Question

Climate Change. What is the current thinking on drivers, projections, appropriate responses and societal effects. With the now US abdicating its leadership role, what is an alternative approach to a worldwide ethical position and collaboration?

This is a team report and I am doing the political responses to climate change. So for now I am making an outline, which constitutes of background, technical issues (of policys in response to climate change e.g Kyoto Protocol, Paris Treaty etc) , and technical issues. Can you help me give some ideas on these two issues to start with? If possible, can you also paste a link for reference?

Explanation / Answer

Kyoto Protocol:

The Convention took effect in 1994, and by 1995 governments had begun negotiations on a protocol an international agreement linked to the existing treaty, but standing on its own. The text of the Kyoto Protocol was adopted unanimously in 1997; it entered into force on 16 February 2005. The Protocol's major feature is that it has mandatory targets on greenhouse-gas emissions for the world's leading economies which have accepted it. These targets range from -8 per cent to +10 per cent of the countries' individual 1990 emissions levels with a view to reducing their overall emissions of such gases by at least 5 per cent below existing 1990 levels in the commitment period 2008 to 2012. In almost all cases even those set at +10 per cent of 1990 levels the limits call for significant reductions in currently projected emissions. Future mandatory targets are expected to be established for commitment periods after 2012.

These are to be negotiated well in advance of the periods concerned. To compensate for the sting of binding targets, as they are called, the agreement offers flexibility in how countries may meet their targets. For example, they may partially compensate for their emissions by increasing sinks forests, which remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. That may be accomplished either on their own territories or in other countries. Or they may pay for foreign projects that result in greenhouse-gas cuts. Several mechanisms have been set up for this purpose. Some mechanisms of the Protocol had enough support that they were set up in advance of the Protocol's entry into force.

The Clean Development Mechanism, for example through which industrialized countries can partly meet their binding emissions targets through credits earned by sponsoring greenhouse-gas-reducing projects in developing countries already had an executive board before the Kyoto Protocol entered into force on 16 February 2005. Participating countries that have ratified (which is an important term that I'll clarify) the Kyoto Protocol have committed to cut emissions of not only carbon dioxide, but of also other greenhouse gases, being:

Methane (CH4)

Nitrous oxide (N2O)

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)

Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)

Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)

If participant countries continue with emissions above the targets, then they are required to engage in emissions trading; i.e. buying credits from other participant countries who are able to exceed their reduction targets in order to offset. The goals of Kyoto were to see participants collectively reducing emissions of greenhouse gases by 5.2% below the emission levels of 1990 by 2012. This is a little odd given that China is about to overtake the USA in emissions, but take into account the major differences in population and that much of the production in these countries is fuelled by demand from the West and influence from the West on their own culture. As a result of this loophole, the West has effectively outsourced much of its carbon emissions to China and India. This phenomenon, whether intended or coincidental is a major hole in the Kyoto Protocol. The science behind Kyoto was shaky due to the limited availability of crucial data and knowledge at the time; particularly in regard to positive feedback loops in nature being revealed that amplify warming and prevent carbon dioxide from being absorbed. Scientists studying global warming are finding Nature fighting back in ways they never contemplated daily.

Paris Treaty:

The Paris Agreement is a bridge between today's policies and climate-neutrality before the end of the century. Governments agreed the following points:

-a long-term goal of keeping the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels;

-to aim to limit the increase to 1.5°C, since this would significantly reduce risks and the impacts of climate change;

-on the need for global emissions to peak as soon as possible, recognizing that this will take longer for developing countries;

-to undertake rapid reductions thereafter in accordance with the best available science.

-come together every 5 years to set more ambitious targets as required by science;

-report to each other and the public on how well they are doing to implement their targets;

-track progress towards the long-term goal through a robust transparency and accountability system.

-strengthen societies' ability to deal with the impacts of climate change;

-provide continued and enhanced international support for adaptation to developing countries.

-recognizes the importance of averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change;

-acknowledges the need to cooperate and enhance the understanding, action and support in different areas such as early warning systems, emergency preparedness and risk insurance.

The agreement recognizes the role of non-Party stakeholders in addressing climate change, including cities, other subnational authorities, civil society, the private sector and others. The EU and other developed countries will continue to support climate action to reduce emissions and build resilience to climate change impacts in developing countries. Other countries are encouraged to provide or continue to provide such support voluntarily. Developed countries intend to continue their existing collective goal to mobilize USD 100 billion per year by 2020 and extend this until 2025. A new and higher goal will be set for after this period.

References:

ANON

In-text: (Anon, 2017)

Your Bibliography: Anon, (2017). [ebook] Available at: https://unfccc.int/resource/docs/convkp/kpeng.pdf [Accessed 11 Jul. 2017].

CHANGE, U.

Kyoto Protocol

In-text: (Change, 2017)

Your Bibliography: Change, U. (2017). Kyoto Protocol. [online] Unfccc.int. Available at: http://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol/items/2830.php [Accessed 11 Jul. 2017].

CHANGE, U.

The Paris Agreement - main page

In-text: (Change, 2017)

Your Bibliography: Change, U. (2017). The Paris Agreement - main page. [online] Unfccc.int. Available at: http://unfccc.int/paris_agreement/items/9485.php [Accessed 11 Jul. 2017].

LOMBORG, B.

Donald Trump is right to reject the Paris climate change treaty: It's likely to be a costly failure

In-text: (Lomborg, 2017)

Your Bibliography: Lomborg, B. (2017). Donald Trump is right to reject the Paris climate change treaty: It's likely to be a costly failure. [online] The Telegraph. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/01/donald-trump-right-reject-paris-climate-change-treaty-likely/ [Accessed 11 Jul. 2017].

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