Climate change introduction Hugh Muschamp 12 February 2008

Outline of this first session 1. Case for climate change 2. Background on climate change - Mitigation - Adaptation 3. Drivers - Policy and legislation - Organisational and personal

The case for climate change “Climate change presents very serious global risks, and it commands an urgent global response…it is the greatest and widest-ranging market failure ever seen” (Stern Review 2006) “Climate change is a far greater threat to the world than global terrorism” (Sir David King, Government’s Chief Scientific Advisor)

Terminology Mitigation of climate change slow down climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions Adaptation to climate change respond to the predicted impacts of unavoidable climate change

Mitigation - the carbon equivellent Greenhouse gasGlobal Warming Potential GWP Carbon dioxide CO 2 1 Methane CH 4 21 Nitrous oxide N 2 O310 Hexaflourocarbons ,700 Perfluorocarbons6, ,200 Sulphur hexafluoride SF 6 23,900

Climate change prediction

Adaptation - climate and weather Weather - the conditions on any given day Climate - the total experience of weather over a longer period of time (conventionally 30 years) – averages, trends, records. “Climate is what you expect, weather is what you get.” Robert Heinlein, 1973

UKCIP 02

UKCIP08 3

Adaptation Free web based database launching November Scottish climate change impacts partnership

Only 2 degrees? - Arctic ice  There is evidence that both Arctic and Antarctic ice cover is reducing  In 2007 the North West Passage was free of ice

Only 2 degrees? - early flowering 3 weeks early SnowdropWild Daffodil 2 weeks early BluebellDog violet 1 week early Courtesy: Prof. Fred Last, Longniddry Celandine Winter aconite BroomWild cherry

cartoon

Policy and Legislation Global - Kyoto Protocol 1998  Reduce greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels - UK 12.5%  Bali - roadmap to agreement in 2009 Europe - Spring 2007  New binding targets  Reduce emissions at least 20% below 1990 levels by 2020  To increase this commitment to 30% if an international agreement is reached

Policy and Legislation - UK  UK Domestic goal; 20% reduction in CO2 emissions below 1990 levels by 2010  Energy White Paper Feb 2003; 60% reduction by 2050  UK Climate Bill; proposes 60% reductions by 2050 The Stern Review  Economics of climate change

Policy and Legislation - UK  EU & UK Emissions Trading Scheme  The Carbon Reduction Commitment  Building Regulations  National Travel Plan  National Waste Strategy In addition - voluntary agreements and advice

Energy Performance and Buildings Directive To improve the energy performance of buildings through cost effective measures CategoryDate of introduction ConstructionIntroduced 1 May2007 Sale (dwelling)Autumn 2008* Sale (non-dwelling)4 January 2009 Rental4 January 2009 Public BuildingsOn display by 4 January 2009 * introduction to align with Single Survey

Public buildings and dwellings

Carbon Reduction Commitment  New mandatory emissions trading  Large commercial and public sector organisations with metered electricity exceeding 6,000 MWh per year  Auction allowances and recycled revenues  Expected to start 2010

draft Climate Change Bill Scotland  80% reduction by 2050  3% per year with 5 year binding targets  Consultation responses by April 2008 “Tackling climate change can also bring clear and tangible benefits to Scotland itself, bringing new jobs, cost savings and improved local environments that can generate sustainable economic growth.”

Action for organisations Reduce energy  Energy efficiency Estate… Advice… Produce energy  Onsite and offsite CHP… Renewable electricity…

Further and Higher Education  Estate  Community  Teaching and learning  Research and development Future…  New energy reserves?  Working together