International Response to Climate Change

1) UNFCC & IPCC

On February 2nd 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published its Fourth Assessment Report (AR4), that projected without further action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions the global average surface temperature is likely to rise by a further 1.8-4.0°C this century. Even the lower end of this range would take the temperature increase above 2°C, the threshold beyond which irreversible and possibly catastrophic changes become far more likely.

Scientific consensus by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has enabled the international community to recognise that the issue of climate change needs a global response and that it is sensible to start limiting the growth of greenhouse gas emissions now in order to reduce the negative impacts expected from future global warming. Countries have been working through the United Nations to achieve this.

The international political response to climate change began with the adoption of:

i) The United Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992, which focused on controlling and responding to changes in the climate. Thus, the UNFCCC sets out a framework for action aimed at stabilizing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases to avoid dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Along with mitigation of greenhouse gases, the UNFCCC also supports countries efforts to adapt to the impacts of climate change, through capacity building, technology transfer and funding to support adaptation assessments and projects. The UNFCCC entered into force on 21 March 1994, and now has 192 parties.

ii) MITIGATION: In December 1997, delegates to the third meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 3) in Kyoto, Japan, adopted the Kyoto Protocol, which commits developed countries and countries making the transition to a market economy to achieve quantified reduction targets for their greenhouse gas emissions. These countries, known under the UNFCCC as Annex I parties, agreed to reduce their overall emissions of six greenhouse gases by an average of 5.2% below 1990 levels between 2008-2012 (the first commitment period), with specific targets varying from country to country.

The Protocol establishes three flexible mechanisms to assist Annex I parties in meeting their national targets: 1) an emissions trading system; 2) joint implementation of emissions-reduction projects between Annex I parties; 3) and the Clean Development Mechanism, which allows for projects to be implemented in non-Annex I parties. To date, there are 177 parties to the Kyoto Protocol, including 38 Annex I parties. The Protocol entered into force on 16 February 2005. To date, only a few countries have made appreciable progress towards achieving those targets.

iii) ADAPTATION: Unlike mitigation of greenhouse gases, adaptation to the impacts of climate change is a cross-cutting theme under the UNFCCC. In particular, Convention Article 4.1 states that parties shall formulate, implement, publish and regularly update national and, where appropriate, regional programmes containing measures to facilitate adequate adaptation to climate change, and cooperate in preparing for adaptation to the impacts of climate change.

Convention Article 4.4 states that developed country parties shall assist the developing country parties that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change in meeting the costs of adaptation to those adverse effects. One of the most significant articles for adaptation is Convention Article 4.8, which says that parties shall give full consideration to what actions are necessary under the Convention...to meet the specific needs and concerns of developing country parties arising from the adverse effects of climate change. Negotiations under this article laid the groundwork for discussions on adaptation under the UNFCCC. While COP 1 in 1995 addressed funding for adaptation (decision 11/CP.1), it was not until the adoption of the Marrakesh Accords in 2001 that adaptation became a prominent area for action, as set out in decision 5/CP.7 (adverse effects of climate change).

The Bali Road Map

The 2007 Conference of Parties/Meeting of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change was held in Bali, Indonesia from 3 to 14 December 2007. An historic agreement on a roadmap for achieving a global climate deal by the end of 2009 was reached in Bali in December 2007 after two weeks of intense negotiations. Developed and developing countries alike signed up to the agreement, which for the first time ever will bring together all the world’s countries to negotiate on a climate treaty to take the world beyond 2012.

The Bali Roadmap sets out a clear and comprehensive agenda for negotiations and a timetable ending in 2009, as well as linking back to the work of the IPCC. In particular, all countries will adopt a shared vision for long-term cooperative action, including a long-term global goal. In addition to agreeing a roadmap, parties also reached significant agreements on deforestation, adaptation, technology and the carbon markets.

On technology, there was agreement on an ambitious work programme covering both mitigation and adaptation that provides the basis to accelerate and scale up investment in technology beyond that of the carbon market.

On deforestation, an area characterised by intense debate over many years, the agreement in Bali will pave the way for incentives to reduce emissions from tropical deforestation; and includes both deforestation and more gradual damage short of total deforestation. This sets the rules for projects to reduce deforestation, including allowing projects to be piloted to a common UN-approved standard, with the aim of the experience gained feeding into a future climate framework. The guidance makes it clear that national baselines should be developed and gives primacy to national-level approaches.

On adaptation, decision was reached on the governance of the Adaptation Fund, which supports adaptation in developing countries funded by a levy on the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). On carbon markets, parties decided to abolish registration fees and levies on CDM projects in the least developed countries, agreed guidance aimed at improving the way the CDM and its Board functions, and approved use of non-renewable biomass CDM, meaning that projects such as small cooking stoves are now possible through the CDM.

2) China's Response

In June 2007, China unveiled its first climate change action plan that proposed to combat global warming by generating more renewable and nuclear energy, and increasing energy efficiency. China is also thought to support clean transport, recycling in industry, "stress-resistant" crops and shore walls to withstand rising seas.

According to China's National Development and Reform Commission "The ramifications of limiting the development of developing countries would be even more serious than those from climate change," "China will not commit to any quantified emissions reduction targets, but that does not mean we will not assume responsibilities in responding to climate change."

China is taking an increasingly pro-active stance on climate change issues. The political will is extremely high in China to reduce emissions, especially over the past one and a half years. Last year saw a string of key actions starting with the formation of the National Leadership Group on Climate Change, led by Premier Wen Jiabao, the formulation of China’s official climate change strategy referred to as the National Climate Change Programme and the first-ever release of the National Climate Change Assessment Report, based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) framework. The year’s activities culminated in an action plan of targets that was circulated across the provinces, who were asked to help in achieving the goals.

It wants to co-operate with the international community and wants to take initiative on climate change, but as stated at the UNFCC in Bali (2007) thinks a new solution of controlling GHG emissions is needed in China, one that is specific to the Chinese context. Considering the likelihood of continued population and economic growth, China’s best chance of reigning in its emissions is through advances in technology. The Chinese government is promoting green technology innovation and energy conservation, and actively seeking best practice examples abroad. For example, Japan is a case that has been thoroughly examined and lessons have been drawn. China’s current mentality is to learn from the best, however, it must be understood that there is no single perfect fit because China is a highly unique model.

• Energy efficiency improvements: 20% reduction in energy intensity (2006 – 2040) (China is on track to achieve this target ahead of schedule by 2010)
• Renewable energy development: to 10% of the energy mix by 2010 and more than doubling the use of renewable energy by 2020
• Afforestation: 20% by 2010
• Sector clean-up: shutting down 50MG worth of outdated power generation facilities (compulsory shutdowns)

China’s success in controlling its emissions mainly depends on its success in decoupling economic growth from energy consumption. Key factors that will impact on this is that, firstly, China’s mitigation potential is huge but speed and scale is crucial; secondly, the key driving forces of domestic concerns and international pressure are likely to continue; thirdly, encouragement from the international community is needed more than pressure; fourthly, China needs to see its opportunities in the form of applicable case studies; fifthly, leadership from local governments and the business community is rising; sixthly, threat theories are not helpful and finally, the international community post-Bali climate change dialogues lack an understanding of China’s needs and wants.
(Source: China Response: The Climate Group)

3) The European Union

The EU has plans to move to a low-carbon economy to a "third industrial revolution". Currently, the European Union is leading international efforts to combat climate change. In March 2000, the EU Commission launched the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP) which led to the adoption of a wide range of measures including the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, launched on January 1st 2005, to reduce emissions cost-effectively. The EU leaders are considering (March 2008) specific targets put forward by the European Commission in January on how to achieve the agreed 20% cut in greenhouse emissions by 2020.

EU'S 20/20/20 Vision: Key Aims and Potential Challenges

• AIM: 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020
• AIM: Reduction in energy imports, saving money and increasing energy security
• AIM: World leadership in renewable energy technology
• CHALLENGE: Government and companies may try to weaken their emissions targets
• CHALLENGE: Some countries likely to find renewables targets too ambitious
• CHALLENGE: Wrangles likely over technicalities of emissions trading

A Threat to Global Security

A recent EU report says climate change will have a growing impact on global security, multiplying existing threats such as shortages of food and water. It warns that climate change could cause millions of people to migrate towards Europe as other parts of the world suffer environmental degradation. The report highlights the fact that states which are "already fragile and conflict prone" could be over-burdened.

4. The G8 and the Gleneagles Dialogue

The main objective of the G8 Ministerial is to explore the timescales on which technologies need to be developed and deployed to meet our goals for a secure and sustainable energy future and to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

The Presidency of the G8 rotates between the G8 partner countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, United States of America, United Kingdom) with each country assuming the chair for a period of 12 months. Japan confirmed that it would host the fourth ministerial in Chiba, 14 – 16 March 2008.

At the 2007 G8 summit in Heilgendamm, G8 leaders issued a statement calling for strong and early action, sending a clear signal to the UNFCCC meeting in Bali on the need to launch talks immediately on a post-2012 climate change framework in order to conclude by 2009. The G8 has stated that a global emission reduction goal must be agreed, involving all major emitters, and taking account of the European goal to halve emissions by 2050. The US pledged to host a meeting of major energy consuming and greenhouse gas emitting countries that will support and add momentum to the UNFCCC process.