The planet is not ours; it is the treasure we hold in trust for future generations.

Kofi Annan, President of the Global Humanitarian Forum, January 2009

You control yourself?

We are alone?

Follow your way?

Who got the power? Who decides?

What we can do?

Kuala Lumpur, 2010

Decision-making process regarding climate change regulation in European Union 2009-2013.

The role of European Environment Agency

Eduardo Oliveira Eduardo Oliveira

OctoberOctober 2010 2010University of MinhoSchool of Economics

and Management

ÍndexÍndex

Brief introduction; Overview;

Climate change as global issue;European Environment

Agency;Decision – making process; Decision – making actions;

After words;Credits.

The European Environment The European Environment Agency (EEA)Agency (EEA)

The Climate SystemThe Climate System

OCEAN

PrecipitationSea-ice

LAND

Ice- sheetssnow

Biomass

Clouds

Solarradiation

Terrestrialradiation

Greenhouse gases and aerosol

ATMOSPHEREThe Met.Office Hadley Centre

Source: IPCC, 2001

‘‘ClimateClimate’ is the long-term atmospheric ’ is the long-term atmospheric conditions, ‘conditions, ‘weatherweather’ ’ varies constantly; varies constantly;

Changes in climate are natural: Changes in climate are natural: After the last ice age (11,500 years ago) After the last ice age (11,500 years ago)

global temperatures were 5°C lower than global temperatures were 5°C lower than now;now;

BUT... BUT... We are now experiencing temperature We are now experiencing temperature

rises at unprecedented speed;rises at unprecedented speed;

Scientists believe that Scientists believe that human activities are human activities are responsible...responsible...

Climate change:Climate change:The scientific evidence is The scientific evidence is conclusiveconclusive

Source: IPCC, 2001

What is climate change?What is climate change? Gases in the Earth’s atmosphere Gases in the Earth’s atmosphere trap heat;trap heat;

Emissions are Emissions are increasing due to human activity;increasing due to human activity;

The build-up of gases leads to The build-up of gases leads to long-term long-term warming = warming = climate change;climate change;

Greenhouse gases are emitted naturally;Greenhouse gases are emitted naturally;

BUT human activity is increasing emissionsBUT human activity is increasing emissions

Changes in behaviour can reduce emissions...YOU, Changes in behaviour can reduce emissions...YOU, EU, UN...EU, UN...

Source: IPCC, 2001

Warming world - Climate Change Global-average surface temperature increased by about 0.6 ºC

over 20th century;

1990s warmest decade and 1998 warmest year in last 1000

years;

Over last 50 years night-time minimum temperatures

increased by about 0.2 ºC;

10% reduction in snow cover ice since late 1960s;

Reduction of about two weeks in annual duration of lake

and river ice;

Widespread retreat of mountain glaciers during 20th century;

Northern Hemisphere spring and summer sea-ice extent

decreased by 10-15%;

Global-average sea level has increased by 10-20 cm during

20th century;

0.5-1% per decade increase in Northern Hemisphere mid-

latitude precipitation during 20th century;

2-4% increase in frequency of heavy precipitation events in

Northern Hemisphere mid- and high-latitudes over latter half of

20th century ;

Source: IPCC, 2001

Europe’s temperatures have risen by Europe’s temperatures have risen by 1°C since 1°C since

1850;1850;

Another 1.2°C could mean irreversible, large-Another 1.2°C could mean irreversible, large-

scale and potentially catastrophic scale and potentially catastrophic

environmental change;environmental change;

Extreme weather events – storms, floods,

droughts and heat waves – becoming more

frequent and more severe;

90% of natural disasters in Europe since 1980

caused by weather and climate;

Warming Europe - Climate Change

Source: IPCC, 2001

Source: IPCC, 2001

Overview:

Overview: Land areas are projected to warm more than the oceans with the greatest warming at high latitudes.

Source: IPCC, 2001Annual mean temperature change, 2071 to 2100 relative to 1990: Global Average in 2085 = 3.1oC

Overview: CO2 concentrations, temperature and sea level continue to rise /emissions are reduced

Source: IPCC, 2001

Developing countries are the Developing countries are the most vulnerable to climate most vulnerable to climate changechange

MMoreore flood and drought prone flood and drought prone and a and a

large share of the economy is in large share of the economy is in

climate sensitive;climate sensitive;

Because of Because of a lack of financiala lack of financial, ,

institutional and technological institutional and technological

capacity and access to knowledge;capacity and access to knowledge;

Climate change is likely Climate change is likely to impact to impact

disproportionately disproportionately upon the upon the

poorest countriespoorest countries and the poorest and the poorest

persons within countries;persons within countries;

Net market sector effects are expected Net market sector effects are expected

to be to be negative in most developing negative in most developing

countries;countries;

Impacts are worse

Lower capacity to adapt

Access to adequate food, clean water and other

The European Environment The European Environment Agency (EEA)Agency (EEA)

The The European Environment AgencyEuropean Environment Agency is an is an agency of the European Union.agency of the European Union.– EEA was adopted in 1990;EEA was adopted in 1990;– Is locate in Copenhagen, Denmark;Is locate in Copenhagen, Denmark;

Task:Task:– Help the Community and Help the Community and member countriesmember countries  make make

informed decisions about informed decisions about KEPT INFORMED THE KEPT INFORMED THE DECISION MAKERSDECISION MAKERS

Improving the environment;Improving the environment; Integrating environmental considerations into Integrating environmental considerations into

economic policies and moving towards sustainability;economic policies and moving towards sustainability;– To coordinate the European environment information To coordinate the European environment information

and observation network;and observation network;

– Currently, the EEA has Currently, the EEA has 32 member countries32 member countries;;

Main clientsMain clients: : – European Commission;European Commission;– European Parliament;European Parliament;– Council;Council;– Economic and Social Committee;Economic and Social Committee;– Committee of the Regions;Committee of the Regions;– Member countries;Member countries;

EEA provides information as EEA provides information as well, toowell, too: : – Business community;Business community;– Academia;Academia;– Non-governmental Non-governmental

organizations; organizations; – Civil societyCivil society

The European Environment The European Environment Agency (EEA) - IIAgency (EEA) - II

European policy actors

ClientsMake

sustainable decisions

The European Environment The European Environment Agency (EEA) - IIIAgency (EEA) - III

Copenhagen

Member countries

Cooperating countries

The European Environment The European Environment Agency (EEA) - IVAgency (EEA) - IV

EEA Goal?

Environment

• Provide European decision-makers and citizens access to timely and relevant information and knowledge ;• Provide a sound basis for environmental policies, to help answer their questions about the environment in their daily lives and to ensure that environmental thinking and education…

Economy Social

Decision-makers

Citizens

Lives

Mainstream of Decision-making...

Decision making?Information

Environmental Data

Decision-makers State of the environment

Knowledge assessments

European, and regional level

Provide integrated environmental data and indicator sets

European Neighbourhood Policy

Provide a sound decision basis for environmental policies in the EU and Member CountriesThe consultation procedure: White and

green papers…

Decision – making -> Consultation

EEA aim:

ProducingAssessments and forward studies

EnsuringHigh quality

environmental data

Support Environmental

legislation

Improving

Dissemination to decision-makers

Addressing

Environmental priorities

Decision-making process regarding climate change regulation in European Union 2009-2013.

Strategic areas of EEA Air

quality

Air pollutant emissions

Biodiversity

Greenhouse gas emissions

Freshwater

Marine

Climate change

Ecosystems

Land use

Air pollutant emissions

Shared Environmental Information System Communications

Decision-making process regarding climate change regulation in European Union 2009-2013.

Strategy of EEA for 2009–2013

Shared Environmental Information System Communications

Policy-

making

In

Climate

Change

Integrated environment

al Regional and global

assessmentStrategic

futures

Decision-making process regarding climate change regulation in European Union 2009-2013.

Strategy for 2009–2013

2009Launch information services in the areas of the Environmental Data Centres (air quality, climate change, biodiversity, freshwater )

2010

Produce the EEA's regular integrated environmental assessment -> focusing on operational and strategic policy priorities, including those of the candidate and potential candidate countries

2011Support environmental reporting within the European Neighbourhood Policy;

Decision-making process regarding climate change regulation in European Union 2009-2013.

Strategy for 2009–2013

2012 Produce an assessment of Europe's ecosystem services — Eureca 2012;

2013Support the review of the environmental outcomes of the 6th Environment Action Programme and the EU Sustainable Development Strategy.

Aim for the

future

Expand the EEA's communications to the public, policy-makers and experts via multi‑media, user‑friendly, multilingual information particularly in the areas of climate change, biodiversity, ecosystems and the greening of the economy.

The European Union is a pioneer in The European Union is a pioneer in the battle against climate changethe battle against climate change

EU countries have set targets for 2020 to:EU countries have set targets for 2020 to:

Cut Cut emissions by 20% emissions by 20% (or 30% if agreed (or 30% if agreed globally);globally);

Increase energy efficiency by Increase energy efficiency by 20%;20%;

Generate 20% Generate 20% of energy from of energy from renewable sources; renewable sources;

The EU is pushing for an ambitious The EU is pushing for an ambitious new global new global pact to pact to

reduce emissionsreduce emissions

A Community agency is a body governed by European public law; it is distinct from the Community Institutions (Council, Parliament, Commission, etc.) and has its own legal personality. It is set up by an act of secondary legislation in order to accomplish a very specific technical, scientific or managerial task…Green White Papers

What EU can do?What EU can do?

 • “Strategy for a future chemicals policy”    

What EU do?What EU do?

• "EuropeanTransport Policy for 2010: Time to Decide"

Commission's White Paper:

• "Adapting to climate change in Europe - options for EU action"

Commission's Green Paper:

• “Adapting to climate change : towards a European framework for action”

• Commission to the Council;

• European Parliament;

• European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions

What can you do?What can you do?

Simple Simple everyday actions everyday actions play a major play a major role in the fight against climate changerole in the fight against climate change

So…So…– RecycleRecycle – SaveSave hot water by taking a shower hot water by taking a shower

instead of a bath (four times less instead of a bath (four times less energy)energy)

– Plant a treePlant a tree, at school, in your garden , at school, in your garden or neighbourhoodor neighbourhood

ObrigadObrigadoo

www.climatechange.eu.comwww.climatechange.eu.comwww.eea.europa.eu

http://eur-lex.europa.eu

CreditsCreditsEduardo Oliveira, is from Portugal. He is doing a MSc. in Marketing and Strategic Management in the School of Economics and Management, University of Minho, final year. My dissertation is about “Networks and Place Branding: Minho as International Brand”. Until December, I will stay in Malaysia as exchange student in University Sains Malaysia (USM) with a scholarship from the European Union. In USM, I attend courses in International Political Economy and Political and Decision Making in European Union and also courses in Marketing. I reserved my free time to do some research in destination marketing and place branding, my favorite topics and improve my skills in global issues, like climate change, sustainable development and explore the most controversial topics in the international political economy context. My main goal is to understand the economic and local markets, the consumers’ needs in the global economy and search for new ways to achieve a sustainable world.

Email address: eduardo.hsoliveira@gmail.comURL: http://www.eduardoo.pt.vu In Malaysia: +601 25 792 867In Portugal: +351 91 70 60 153