International Climate Change Agreements

The Kyoto Protocol Protocol: a set of rules or guidelines agreed to by multiple parties Negotiated in 1997 by 160 nations in Kyoto, Japan. It calls for a GHG reduction of five per cent from 1990 levels by 2012 took effect in 2005, and will run out in 2012 every major industrialized country signed on (142 in total) except USA (Clinton signed on, Bush pulled out) USA produces 30% of world GHG, but did not sign on b/c afraid it would damage their economy and thought it unfair that huge China and India did not sign on  developing (“poor”) countries were generally left out, b/c they can’t afford the technology, and did little to create the problem

4 mechanisms that countries can meet their Kyoto obligations:  actually reduce GHG emissions (improve car fuel economy, fewer coal-fired generators etc)  buy emissions credits from countries who don’t need them (already exceed their target) – “Carbon Trading”  reduce emissions in another country (eg. reforestation in Brazil)  transfer environmentally-friendly technology to developing countries (eg. carbon sequestration) Countries that don’t meet their emissions targets by 2012 must make up the difference plus a penalty of 30 per cent in the follow-up accord/protocol (being negotiated right now!) Also, they’re not allowed to buy carbon credits.

Did Canada meet its Kyoto obligations? Paul Martin’s Liberals signed on, but took 8 years to put a plan together, and got voted out in 2006 before implementing it Stephen Harper’s Conservatives said it’s not wise to make the necessary cuts – that it would harm our economy.  they had no intention of meeting Kyoto targets  since 1997, our GHG emissions have risen over 30%, instead of declining by 5% !!! (that’s worse than the anti-Kyoto USA ! ugh !)  instead they want to reduce GHG 5% over 2007 levels by 2020 (but we’re already 30% higher than 1992 levels!!)  many of their new targets are “intensity-based” – GHG per unit of production is reduced, but if production rises, overall GHGs may too.  Conservatives are very committed to our Oil Sands, which produce an enormous amount of CO 2 Liberal, NDP & Green Parties wanted to recommit to Kyoto many European countries have already met their targets

Copenhagen Accord – Kyoto Follow-up World leaders met in Copenhagen (Denmark) in Dec 2009 to try to negotiate a follow-up agreement to Kyoto Instead of being legally “binding”, countries merely agreed to “take note of it”  Each developed country put forward their own emission reductions target (Canada/USA 17%, BASIC countries 35% (quickly developing countries of Brazil, South Africa, India, China)) – but targets are not enforceable!  Strong focus on helping ($ and technology) African, small island and other least developed countries to adapt to negative impacts  Recognizes that we must not let the global climate increase by more than 2°C  Broad objectives are put forth, but no details on how to accomplish them (who will pay what to whom etc)  Conference considered by most to be a failure 