10.5 Denmark + California (National + sub-national policies)

What are Denmark’s targets for 2050? How will these be achieved?

• Denmark has its own ambitious targets that are only partly determined by the EU’s Climate Directive

• By 2050, all energy consumption is expected to be from renewables

• It will phase out fossil fuels and increase investment in wind and solar power to achieve this

What has the Danish government focused on? Why?

• Government have been focused on adapting to the climate change that is already happening

  • Increases in winter rainfall, higher temperatures, more extreme weather, and rising sea levels

What has Copenhagen done?

• Copenhagen developed its own adaptation strategy in 2011

• ‘Climate-proof neighbourhoods’

• Hoped to pre-empt flooding by improving storm drainage system

How could Denmark be affected by rising sea levels? What are they doing to manage this?

• Increases risk of flooding by storm surges

  • Storm barriers are planned

  • Dykes will be raised

  • New buildings will be elevated by 1m or so on platforms

What is the significance of California’s climate policy?

• California is a world leader in formulating and implementing mitigation and adaptation policies

• Far more radical and far-reaching than those of the US government

What was the Global Warming Solutions Act? When was it established?

• Act established = 2006

• Act committed the state to decarbonisation and a clean energy economy

• Target is to reduce emissions by 80% below 1990 levels by 2050

What is California’s long term mitigation strategy?

• Phase out fossil fuels for electricity generation and cap and trade scheme

How will California stop being a fossil fuel-generated city?

• No new coal-fired plants will be built

What is California’s cap and trade scheme? How successful has it been?

• State scheme introduced in 2013

• California’s scheme is already 2nd in the world behind the EUs

• Covers 85% of carbon polluters in the state

How will California adapt vehicle emissions?

• Stringent laws introduced to limit emissions

What is California’s targets for renewable energy?

• California aims to generate 50% of its electricity from renewables by 2050

How is California already being impacted by climate change?

• Increases in average temperatures

• More frequent droughts

• Sea level rise

How is California adapting to climate change?

• Improving water management

• Avoid developing in areas with inadequate protection

• Protect aquatic habitats and ecosystems