Kyoto Protocol Ryan O’Leary Econ 439 Ryan O’Leary Econ 439

Overview  Initial Question  Outline Kyoto Protocol  Mechanisms involved  Journal articles reviewed  Bush Administration position  Conclusion  Q & A  Initial Question  Outline Kyoto Protocol  Mechanisms involved  Journal articles reviewed  Bush Administration position  Conclusion  Q & A

Concerns Around the Bush Administration and the Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol

What is the Kyoto Protocol?  Agreement between developing and industrialized nations  Collective effort to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions  Adopted on Dec 11th, ‘97 in Kyoto Japan  Most participants must reduce GHG at least 5.2% by 2012  Agreement between developing and industrialized nations  Collective effort to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions  Adopted on Dec 11th, ‘97 in Kyoto Japan  Most participants must reduce GHG at least 5.2% by 2012

3 GHG Basics 1) Largest share of GHG emissions stems from developed nations 2) Per-capita emissions in developing nations are relatively low 3) GHG emissions in developing nations will continue to grow to meet social and development needs 1) Largest share of GHG emissions stems from developed nations 2) Per-capita emissions in developing nations are relatively low 3) GHG emissions in developing nations will continue to grow to meet social and development needs

Kyoto Mechanisms  Emissions trading  Between nations  Joint implementation (JI)  Project in participating Annex 1 nation  Clean development mechanism (CDM)  Non Annex 1 nation, afforestation and reforestation projects.  Emissions trading  Between nations  Joint implementation (JI)  Project in participating Annex 1 nation  Clean development mechanism (CDM)  Non Annex 1 nation, afforestation and reforestation projects.

Selected Articles  Carey, John and Sarah Shapiro Global Warming. Business Week, Issue Pages 60 – 69.  Isla, Ana The Kyoto Protocol. Women & Environments International Magazine. Issue 74/75. Pages 30 – 33  Kriz, Margaret Cleaner Air, Cleaner Water. National Journal, Vol 39 (Issue 3): Page  Carey, John and Sarah Shapiro Global Warming. Business Week, Issue Pages 60 – 69.  Isla, Ana The Kyoto Protocol. Women & Environments International Magazine. Issue 74/75. Pages 30 – 33  Kriz, Margaret Cleaner Air, Cleaner Water. National Journal, Vol 39 (Issue 3): Page

Global GHG Emissions

US Contribution to GHG

Bush Administration  Yet to ratify protocol…  “the Bush Administration flatly rejects Kyoto and mandatory [pollution] curbs.” - Carey & Shapiro  "No nation will mortgage its growth and prosperity to cut greenhouse-gas emissions.” - Energy Secretary Abraham  Harmful to economy and could promote job loss  Yet to ratify protocol…  “the Bush Administration flatly rejects Kyoto and mandatory [pollution] curbs.” - Carey & Shapiro  "No nation will mortgage its growth and prosperity to cut greenhouse-gas emissions.” - Energy Secretary Abraham  Harmful to economy and could promote job loss

Bush Admin Cont…  Bush Admin does not want to be tied down to a hard numbers  Bush Admin un easy about develping countries held to different standards  Overall to costly too the economy  Job losses  Bush Admin does not want to be tied down to a hard numbers  Bush Admin un easy about develping countries held to different standards  Overall to costly too the economy  Job losses

Conclusions  Bush Admin acknowledges the importance of curbing GHG emissions  Bush Admin feels the protocol is too costly and therefore opts not to ratify  Kyoto plays an important role in uniting nations with a combined effort to reduce GHG emission and curb global warming  Bush Admin acknowledges the importance of curbing GHG emissions  Bush Admin feels the protocol is too costly and therefore opts not to ratify  Kyoto plays an important role in uniting nations with a combined effort to reduce GHG emission and curb global warming

Q & A