Philosophy, Structure, Methods, and Challenges M. Eileen OHara, Ph.D. EM410 Unit 6 Global Climate Change Policy Are we making progress? Assignments & Late Policy Reminders ANY QUESTIONS? If you havent submitted the Unit 3 Assignment, you have until tomorrow, Tuesday, April 10 th to submit If you havent submitted the Unit 5 Midterm Project, you have until Tuesday, April 24 th to submit Upcoming Mock Environmental Summit and Final Project Due at the end of this Unit Tuesday at 11:59PM Overview for Tonight Review the Unit 6 Outcomes Review the phases of global climate change regime as presented in the text Discuss the opposing views on climate change First look at the Unit 9 assignment. Questions regarding the Mock Summit Unit 6 Outcomes The primary events underlying the development of the global climate change The relative effectiveness and significance of the global climate change regime Some differing perspectives on the global climate change issue Future challenges facing the international community regarding climate change issues Agenda Setting The Science Vig, N.J., Axelrod, R.S., & Downie, D.L. (2004). The global environment: Institutions, law, and policy (2 nd ed.). Washington, DC: CQ Press. Page 104 What is the IPCC? Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) o Created by UNEP and WMO Synthesize and assess the state of scientific knowledge on climate change and evaluate responses o They do not do their own research Generally viewed as the authority on climate change Set up as three working groups o I Focused on the Science of climate change o II Assess issues related to the impacts, vulnerability, and adaptation to climate change o III Reviews options for mitigating climate change Foundation for the Regime Regime is focused on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol The UNFCCC gives the structure within which the efforts to address the problem will take place The Kyoto Protocol outlines specific obligations that are consistent with the guiding principles of the UNFCCC More than190 countries involved + 100s of NGOs o State formed 6 distinct negotiating blocks (Table 6.2) o NGOs formed observer constituencies (Table 6.3) Negotiating Blocks EU JUSCANZ /JUSSCAN NZ Umbrella Group OPECAOSIS G-77 & China Supports targets and timeline Supports targets with concerns about economic impacts Opposes targets and timeline Supports market-based incentives to achieve targets Signing of the UNFCCC One of 2 major treaties at the Earth Summit in Rio o Entered into force in March 1994; ratified by over 185 countries Key elements include: o Objective o Principles o Commitments o Creation of an organizational structure UNFCCC Objectives stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Such a level should be achieved within a time-frame sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is not threatened and to enable economic development to pro- ceed in a sustainable manner. UNFCCC Principles Principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibility Equity should be a guiding principle o What does this mean? Per capita standards? What would this mean? Embraces the Precautionary Principle Measure taken should be cost-effective and promote sustainable development UNFCCC Commitments Annex I parties (industrialized countries and formerly communist countries with economics in transition) are obligated to: o Return individually or jointly to their 1990 levels of emissions No timetable but hints of 2000 o Provide new and additional financial resources and technology to developing countries so they can meet their commitments All parties must regularly report on their national emissions inventories and mitigation programs UNFCCC Organizational Structure Established the Conference of Parties (COP) o Assigned to review the UNFCCC to make recommendations on its effective implementation o Usually meets annually Subsidiary bodies (meet twice per year) o Scientific and Technological Advice o Implementation The Global Environment Facility (GEF) was the interim funding mechanism What about funding scares the developing countries? Timeline of Negotiations of the UNFCCC Negotiation phase: 1991 1992 UNFCCC negotiations 1994 UNFCCC enters into force Kyoto Protocol negotiations on commitments 1996 IPCC Second Assessment Report 1998 2001 Kyoto Protocol negotiations on operationalization 2001 IPCC Third Assessment Report United States withdraws from Kyoto Protocol 2004 Kyoto Protocol s entry into force contingent upon Russian ratification Vig, N.J., Axelrod, R.S., & Downie, D.L. (2004). The global environment: Institutions, law, and policy (2 nd ed.). Washington, DC: CQ Press. Page 104 Why the Kyoto Protocol The first COP meeting the parties realized that the UNFCCC needed timetables and binding targets past 2000 COP-3 was held in Kyoto, Japan and the Kyoto Protocol was born Requires reductions to reach 5.2% below 1990 levels over the period Central Elements to Kyoto The UNFCCC provided the framework for the regime and the protocol gave mechanism for an overall objective. Central elements include: o Commitments o Rules on flexible mechanisms o Compliance o Creation of new organizations Commitments of Kyoto 5% below 1990 levels by Each country has their own target (differentiated) o Seen as political with no scientific basis Some countries with economies in transition were allowed to pick another baseline year Flexible Mechanisms of Kyoto Emissions trading o Purchase emission credits Joint implementation o Invest in reduction activities in other countries (industrialized to industrialized) Clean Development Mechanism o Industrialized countries can invest in reduction activities in developing countries for certified emission reductions Compliance Mechanisms of Kyoto Parties found to not be in compliance will be ineligible for flexible mechanisms If a party fails to make their reductions in the first commitment period they can make up the difference in the second period but with a 30% penalty Organizational Structure of Kyoto The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) o Kyoto set up an executive board to accredit entities to participate in CDM projects Increase in funds to the GEF and create three new funds o Special Climate Change Fund o Least-Developed Country Fund o Adaption Fund Operational Phase of the UNFCCC Operationalization phase: First commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol Vig, N.J., Axelrod, R.S., & Downie, D.L. (2004). The global environment: Institutions, law, and policy (2 nd ed.). Washington, DC: CQ Press. Page 104 Any questions so far? Question #1 What are some of the mainstream arguments against human caused global climate change? Question #2 What are some of the challenges that arose with the Kyoto Protocol that have hindered implementation? Question #3 Is it important to know what % of climate change is due to human economic activity before we take action? Final Paper A first look (250 points!) Pick an environmental issue of global importance Critique one or two national policies on the issue and make recommendations on how they could be altered to improve the issue Relate an economic trend to the issue and explain the impacts to your problem (be specific) Summarize the ethical arguments on both sides of the issue and select and defend one. 8-12 pages APA format Use the rubrics! Mock Environmental Summit Assignment Use links on the right side bar of main Wiki page Ministers use their minister page team members can edit and contribute to all pages! Delegates will summarize on the main group page team members can edit and contribute! The Ministers Wiki pages need to be completed by the Unit 7 Seminar! In Unit 7 Seminar well break out into groups in the Chat Room to discuss your countrys overall position. Then you can go back and edit your pages if needed. Mock Environmental Summit Assignment After the Unit 7 Seminar, the climate change delegates should have the information they need to prepare a well articulated position on the issues. What would your country agree to and why? The Team summary Wikis need to be to me by Friday night of Unit 8 so I can prepare for the Unit 8 seminar. Your teams position will summarized by me and we will hold a discussion in the Unit 8 Seminar. A final vote will be taken on an aggregate proposal at the end of the Unit 8 Seminar - your vote counts! Advice and Clarifications Review the assignment instruction in class REVIEW THE INSTRUCTIONS! Ponder the impacts that emissions have on your area, and then contemplate how reductions could be laid out to benefit your interests and what the impacts are What reduction plan would you advocate and why? The positions should be supported and not just emotional thoughts or opinions. Your country is counting on you to make the best decision in their interest Your individual Wikis must be submitted to the dropbox as Word documents by the end of Unit 8 on April 24 th. Any Questions or Comments? Remember to start on your Mock Environmental Summit! Ministers must have their 1-2 page wikis done by Unit 7 Seminar. Climate Change Delegates must have the 3-4 page country summary wiki done by Friday, April 20 th. Again, Id like to thank Matthew Miller for letting me use some of his slides !