The Kyoto ProtocolThe Kyoto Protocol

Reaching Global Agreements 1997Reaching Global Agreements 1997

What is the Kyoto Protocol?What is the Kyoto Protocol? A global Agreement that set targets for A global Agreement that set targets for

reducing greenhouse gas emissionsreducing greenhouse gas emissions 175 countries signed up175 countries signed up

Kyoto Protocol Aims:Kyoto Protocol Aims: Share of CO2 Emissions Share of CO2 Emissions

in 1990 in 1990 Industrialised countries Industrialised countries to cut emissions to 5% to cut emissions to 5% below 1990 levels by below 1990 levels by 2008/122008/12

Had varying targets EU Had varying targets EU by 8% and Japan 5% (It by 8% and Japan 5% (It is a lower polluter) is a lower polluter)

Countries like Iceland Countries like Iceland were allowed to were allowed to increase emissionsincrease emissions

ProblemsProblems Some delayed in signing up to Kyoto such as Some delayed in signing up to Kyoto such as

Russia who signed in 2004Russia who signed in 2004 Some still have not. Australia the world’s 2Some still have not. Australia the world’s 2ndnd

largest polluter per capita.largest polluter per capita. USA initially signed but then withdrew in USA initially signed but then withdrew in

2001 following GW Bush’s election (USA 2001 following GW Bush’s election (USA emit 25% of world emissions)emit 25% of world emissions)

Success?Success? Overall most Industrialised Overall most Industrialised

countries such as UK cut countries such as UK cut emissions to 3% below 1990 emissions to 3% below 1990 by 2000by 2000

Collapse of former USSR Collapse of former USSR mainly the reasonmainly the reason

Emissions from other high Emissions from other high emitters actually rose 8%emitters actually rose 8%

UN reckons it will emit UN reckons it will emit 10% 10% ABOVEABOVE 1990 levels 1990 levels by 2010by 2010

Many developing countries signed up but Many developing countries signed up but didn’t commit to actual figures.didn’t commit to actual figures.

The EU will meet its target France, Sweden The EU will meet its target France, Sweden and UK didand UK did

Spain, Portugal and Ireland have made no Spain, Portugal and Ireland have made no progress.progress.

Many scientists believe Kyoto targets are far Many scientists believe Kyoto targets are far to low and believe not 5% but 60% is to low and believe not 5% but 60% is necessary.necessary.

Implications for the UKImplications for the UK A change from coal to cleaner gas fired power A change from coal to cleaner gas fired power

stations has helped reduce emissionsstations has helped reduce emissions Renewable energy policy of 10% of electricity is Renewable energy policy of 10% of electricity is

near to target yet unlikely to reach it as a wholenear to target yet unlikely to reach it as a whole Government has taxed petrol to help curb Government has taxed petrol to help curb

demand. Protests have followed and are likely to demand. Protests have followed and are likely to continue.continue.

Big reductions can only be met by moving to Big reductions can only be met by moving to nuclear however this brings it’s own set of issuesnuclear however this brings it’s own set of issues

So what for the future?So what for the future? Renewable energy can only supply 10-15% of Renewable energy can only supply 10-15% of

the UK’s energy needsthe UK’s energy needs Must replace coal fired with nuclear power Must replace coal fired with nuclear power

stationsstations Building nuclear power plants takes timeBuilding nuclear power plants takes time

What is Carbon What is Carbon offsetting?offsetting?

Forests and woodland cover Forests and woodland cover 10% of the UK and they absorb 10% of the UK and they absorb COCO2 2 and store it and store it

Several UK and EU schemes Several UK and EU schemes allow businesses to offset their allow businesses to offset their emissions by planting treesemissions by planting trees

However there is a limit to the However there is a limit to the amount of COamount of CO22 that they can that they can hold and therefore are limited in hold and therefore are limited in viabilityviability

UK woodland removes 4 UK woodland removes 4 million tonnes a yearmillion tonnes a year

UK emits 150 million tonnes it UK emits 150 million tonnes it would take a huge increase in would take a huge increase in woodland to offset all of UK woodland to offset all of UK emissionsemissions

AlternativesAlternatives

Biomass fuelsBiomass fuels Wood fuelWood fuel Ethanol and bio dieselEthanol and bio diesel Alcohol fermented from Alcohol fermented from

sugarsugar Oil extracted from Oil extracted from

soybeanssoybeans Methane Gas coming Methane Gas coming

from rubbish dumpsfrom rubbish dumps

ProblemsProblems Unfortunately these rely on removing plants Unfortunately these rely on removing plants

from the planet thus removing a carbon sink from the planet thus removing a carbon sink and need to be followed by mass replanting and need to be followed by mass replanting schemesschemes

Growing biofuels reduces the land available to Growing biofuels reduces the land available to grow foodgrow food

Reducing Our Carbon footprintReducing Our Carbon footprint Individuals can make a differenceIndividuals can make a difference Turn lights outTurn lights out Don’t leave on ‘Stand-by’Don’t leave on ‘Stand-by’ Walk or ride rather than driveWalk or ride rather than drive Take the bus or public transportTake the bus or public transport Get eco friendly washing machines, fridges etcGet eco friendly washing machines, fridges etc Together it can make a difference.Together it can make a difference.

The Stern ReviewThe Stern Review 2006 UK Govt reviewed 2006 UK Govt reviewed

global warmingglobal warming Focused on impacts and Focused on impacts and

the actions neededthe actions needed Argued it could be Argued it could be

reduced if emissions were reduced if emissions were stabilised by 2025 and fell stabilised by 2025 and fell 1-3% annually thereafter1-3% annually thereafter

Costs would be 1% of Costs would be 1% of GDP to invest.GDP to invest.

Key FeaturesKey Features Increased global flood riskIncreased global flood risk Fall in crop yields especially Africa due to Fall in crop yields especially Africa due to

climate shiftsclimate shifts Rising sea levels effecting 200m peopleRising sea levels effecting 200m people Extinction of 40% of earth’s species due to Extinction of 40% of earth’s species due to

destruction of coral reefsdestruction of coral reefs

Economic ImpactsEconomic Impacts More extreme weather leads to increased costs More extreme weather leads to increased costs

equal to 1% of GDPequal to 1% of GDP 2-32-3ooC rise in temps reducing global economic C rise in temps reducing global economic

output by 3%output by 3% Poor countries ability to cope would be Poor countries ability to cope would be

reduced with lack of basics like waterreduced with lack of basics like water

OptionsOptions Reduce demand for heavily polluting goods Reduce demand for heavily polluting goods

and servicesand services Improve efficiency of global energy supplyImprove efficiency of global energy supply Prevent global deforestationPrevent global deforestation Promote cleaner energy technologyPromote cleaner energy technology

UK Government ResponseUK Government Response Set targets to reduce emissions by 30% by Set targets to reduce emissions by 30% by

2020 and 60% by 20502020 and 60% by 2050 Pass laws on carbon reduction targetsPass laws on carbon reduction targets Invest in green technology creating 100,00 Invest in green technology creating 100,00

new jobsnew jobs Create a $20 billion World Bank Fund to help Create a $20 billion World Bank Fund to help

poorer countriespoorer countries

Sustainable EnergySustainable Energy Wave PowerWave Power

Sustainable EnergySustainable Energy Wind PowerWind Power

Sustainable EnergySustainable Energy Hydro Electric PowerHydro Electric Power

Sustainable EnergySustainable Energy Solar PowerSolar Power

Sustainable EnergySustainable Energy WindWind WaveWave WaterWater SolarSolar These account for only 2% of world electricity These account for only 2% of world electricity

productionproduction What are there criticisms?What are there criticisms?

CostsCosts It would be very expensive to shift to these It would be very expensive to shift to these

power sourcespower sources Governments do not like to reduce national Governments do not like to reduce national

incomeincome Growth that is fossil fuel driven needs to endGrowth that is fossil fuel driven needs to end

The EndThe End