1.6 Climate policy/framework

Un Charter, 24 Oct 1945 Article 1

• To maintain international peace and security

• Develop friendly relations among nations - equal rights and self determination of peoples,

• strengthen universal peace.

• Achieve international cooperation in solving international problems (economic, social, cultural, humanitarian)

• Centre for harmonizing the actions of nations

Early beginnings for environmental protection (1)

1972 1st World Environmental Conference, Sweden

Early beginnings for environmental protection (1)

1972 1st World Environmental Conference, Sweden outcome:

United Nations Environmental Program UNEP

Early beginnings for environmental protection (2)

UN World Commission on Environmental and Development 1987

Early beginnings for environmental protection (2)

UN World Commission on Environmental and Development 1987 outcome:

Report: Our common future

Early beginnings for environmental protection (3)

1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), '“Earth Summit” Rio de Janeiro

Early beginnings for environmental protection (3)

1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), '“Earth Summit” Rio de Janeiro outcome:

• Agenda 21→ economic, ecological and social components of sustainability

• UN framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Prior to, multi-lateral environmental agreement

In the mid 1980s … was noted as a hazardous environmental concern.

In the mid 1980s ozone depletion was noted as a hazardous environmental concern.

Prior to, multi-lateral environmental agreement

UN treaty

Vienna Convention in 1985 framework to deal with critical issues related to ozone depletion.

Prior to, multi-lateral environmental agreement

1987 Montreal Protocol was agreed to and ratifies by all 197 countries to:

-Bind ban on production of CFC’s and ozone depleting compounds

Timeline of 1.5 C

1. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is born 1988

2. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is adopted (UNFCCC)1992

3. Kyoto Protocol: world’s 1st GGE reduction treaty adopted1997

4. The Copenhagen Accord 2009

5. The Cancun Agreement 2010

6. Paris Agreement 2015

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) - Independent Body

Founded in 1988 by UNEP and World Meteorological Organization

United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change

3 working groups: assess climate science, impacts, climate change mitigation.

UNFCCC: The Convention

• Entered into force 1994 after Earth Summit in Rio

• Conference of Parties

• Preventing “dangerous” human interference with the climate system it’s the ultimate aim.

• Stabilize greenhouse has concentrations “at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system by:

1. Allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change,

2. Ensure that food production is not threatened

3. Enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner.

UNFCCC: The Convention ultimate aim:

Preventing “dangerous” human interference with the climate system.

UNFCCC: The Convention goals to achieve stable greenhouse gas concentrations at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.

1. Ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change

2. ensure that food production is not threatened

3. enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner

UNFCCC: The Convention
How is the group of countries that have ratified the Convention called?

Conference of Parties (COP)

Conference of Parties (COP)

• Supreme decision making body of the UNFCCC

• They review the implementation of the Convention and any other legal instruments that the … adopts

• Take decisions necessary to promote the effective implementation of the Convention,, including institutional and administrative arrangements

Kyoto Protocol 1997

What operationalized the United nations Framework oConvention on Climate Change?

Kyoto Protocol 1997 committed to:

Developed countries agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions by their own targets.

Made 36 developed countries and the EU legally commit to cutting emissions.

Countries could trade emission permits to reduce pollution.

Copenhagen Accord 2009

Long-term goal of limiting the max global avg. temp. increase to no more than 2 degrees C above pre-industrial levels.

BUT! There was no agreement on how to do this in practical terms.

Included a reference to consider limiting the temp. increase to below 1.5C

Cancun Agreement (2010)

Keep global warming below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and try to lower it to 1.5°C.

By 2012, create a system to develop and spread climate-friendly technology.

Create a Green Climate Fund to finance climate projects in developing countries

Paris Agreement 2015

COP 21

• All countries work together to fight climate change.

• Keep global warming below 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels.

• Try to limit warming to 1.5°C.

• Each country sets its own climate goals through NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions).

nationality determined contributions (NDCs)

How countries decide to go about emission reduction

Are we reducing temperature fast enough?

NO

AFTER MIDTERM

AFTER MIDTERM

Paris Agreement 2015

• COP brings nations together to combat climate change

• global response to keep temp rise well bellow 2 C above pre-industrial levels.

• Put forward their best efforts through nationally determined contributions (NDCs)→ how countries decide to go about emission reduciton

Glasgow 2021

• COP 26 — secure global net zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 degrees within reach

• Countries asked to come forward with ambitious 2030 emission reduction targets for net zero mid century.

• Specific targets for countries

Glasgow 2021
Targets

• Accelerate the phase-out of coal

• Curtail deforestation

• Speed up the switch to electric vehicles

• Encourage investment in renewables

What is the remaining CO2 budget for 2030?

130 Gigatones of CO2

What is the remaining CO2 budget for 2052?

1050 Gigatones of CO2

Additional commitments form Canada

• Develop plan → Canada → achieve prosperous net-zero emissions future by 2050

• 5 year emissions-reduction milestones

• Potential more commitments in the pipeline (clean electricity generation, green buildings and communities, electrification of transportation)

• nature based climate solutions

NDCs updated “A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy

How can the bioeconomy could impact categories such as:

-buildings

-electricity

-transportation

-waste

-agriculture

-land

-2030 target