Land Use in the Paris climate Conference (COP21)

Transcription

1 European Biodiversity Conference, 9 December 2015 "Managing Europe's carbon stocks for climate resilience ecosystems" Press Club Brussels Europe (Rue Froissart, 95) Land Use in the Paris climate Conference (COP21) Peter Wehrheim, European Commission, Head of Unit Directorate General for

2 Two issues Land Use, agriculture and forestry in climate mitigation From Kyoto to Paris: land use plays an increasingly important role

3 Agriculture, Forestry and climate 1. Non-CO2 from agriculture (CH 4, N 2 O) are part of EU s 2020 reduction commitment! 2. CO 2 from agricultural soils and forestry is not included in 2020 climate target!

4 Land Use, agriculture and forestry in climate mitigation Agriculture, Forests, Land Use(AFOLU): One fourth of global GHG emissions Source: IPCC, 5th Assessment Report & New Economy Report 2014

5 Land Use, agriculture and forestry in climate mitigation Why the role of forest/land is important for Change? Sources and removal of anthropogenic CO 2 emissions ( ) 32.4±1.6 GtCO2/yr 91% Fossil fuel emissions 15.8±0.4 GtCO2/yr 44% Remains in the atmosphere + 3.3±1.8 GtCO 2 /yr 9% Deforestation emissions 10.6±2.9 GtCO2/yr 29% Remains Absorbed in by the forests atmosphere (Global Carbon project 2014) 26% 9.4±1.8 GtCO2/yr Absorbed by oceans Forests/land are part of the problem and part of the solution

6 Land Use, agriculture and forestry in climate mitigation "Business as usual" projection of EU agriculture non-co2 emissions into 2050 Without further action agriculture emissions will grow in relative importance 100% 80% 60% Power Sector Residential & Tertiary Current policy 100% 80% 60% By 2050: third of total EU emissions, tripling its current share Industry 40% 40% Transport 20% 20% Non CO 2 Agriculture 0% Non CO 2 Other Sectors 0%

7 From Kyoto to Paris UNFCCC Article 2: The ultimate objective of this Convention of the UN Convention on Change is a stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere within a timeframe, which ensures that food production is not threatened. Kyoto: Land use sector treated differently for developed and developing countries Durban climate conference 2011 adopted rules (LULUCF) for land use for developed countries Warsaw conference finalized rules on combatting tropical deforestation (REDD+) in developing countries

8 From Kyoto to Paris The 2 C target What is different to Kyoto? All countries set to contribute: 180 countries climate protection pledges INDCs a good step forward 180 countries, ~95% of emissions UNFCCC assessment: "No action" scenario would lead to C rise Delays lead to high mitigation and adaptation costs Can stay below 2 C and maintain economic growth with global action and climate smart policies in all sectors Source: Tracker

9 From Kyoto to Paris Paris: About 100 countries mention in their pledges (INDCs) a mitigation role for land use and agriculture Estimated contribution from land use at global level is about 20-25% countries expect a significant contribution from land use The pledges made are an important new source of LULUCF information. Additional efforts to improve transparency are needed, as well as further guidance (from UNFCCC) to enhance the transparency on accounting rules for the land use sector.

10 Conclusions Role of agriculture, forestry and land Acknowledgement of significant mitigation potential From Kyoto to Paris Basic rules related to land use/agriculture in (international) climate policies exists, but have to evolve further Process to further improve the environmental integrity and transparency of land use sector after Paris Win-wins are available: e.g. soil carbon content, afforestation, agro-forestry Enhanced financing for global climate-smart agriculture Inside the EU The Commission intends to present legislative proposal(s) on the inclusion of agriculture and LULUCF into the 2030 and Energy Framework in 2016.

11 Merci beaucoup!

12 Share of agriculture GHG emission in total emissions (excl. LULUCF) in the EU-28, 2012 Ireland Agriculture emissions >30%

13 Possible to "square the circle"? Reconcile various objectives with each other? Mitigate climate change Optimize farmers' incomes Agriculture & Foresty Protect biodiversity water, nat. resources Maintain food security Yes! identify win-win solutions, e.g. through increased resource efficiency, more integrated landscape management

14 EU28 land & agriculture emissions since 1990 Non-CO 2 CO 2 GHG emissions and removals as reported under the UNFCCC

15 Agreed headline targets 2030 Framework for and Energy EUCO 169/14 du 23/10/ % Greenhouse Gas Emissions 20% Renewable Energy 20 % Energy Efficiency 10 % Interconnection % Greenhouse Gas Emissions 27 % Renewable Energy 27%* Energy Efficiency 15 % Interconnection * To be reviewed by 2020, having in mind an EU level of 30% New governance system + indicators

16 EU response while growing the economy is possible!

17 2. Agriculture and forestry in international climate change Decoupling agricultural production from (non- CO2) GHG emissions is possible as well!

18 Shift in global emissions Regional patterns of GHG emissions are shifting along with changes in the world economy.

19 EU response Treatment of emissions from agricultural land use and forestry in the current EU climate policy ETS EU Target: - 20% ESD: 28 MS targets Decision 529/2013/EU: CO2 emissions and removals Accounting exercise No inclusion in the 2020 ESD target Improved information Building s Transport Agriculture: Waste LULUCF Decision Non-CO2 emissions (livestock and fertilizer use) Cropland and Grassland Management, CO2 emissions Forest Management Aforestation Reforestation Deforestation Wetland Drainage and Rewetting

20 2030 Stakeholder consultation process Consultation ran from 26 March to 18 June 2015 Available here: Launched in parallel with the 2030 effort sharing consultation Addressed to all stakeholders and experts in the field of agriculture and forestry: farmers, SMEs, farmers' associations, regulatory authorities, research institutions, citizens etc. Summary report of the consultation will be part of the Impact Assessment Stakeholder meeting: 2-day workshop in Sept 2015