FOREWORD. ( Chitrabhanu Bose ) Head Safety & Environmnet

Transcription

1 20 years post Rio

2 FOREWORD The Global Climate Conventions have been the centerpiece of global efforts to combat global warming. It also has been one of the international community's most essential tools in the struggle to promote sustainable development. In response to growing scientific understanding, a series of intergovernmental conferences focusing on climate change were held from early 1990s. These Conventions address the "common concern of humankind", the importance of equity, the "common but differentiated responsibilities" of countries at different levels of development, sustainable development and the precautionary principle--where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, a lack of scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation. A great deal has been accomplished since Rio -- Yet challenges still lie ahead. In this issue of e- bulletin, an attempt has been made to summarize the key points of all conventions on climate change, to provide an insight on the past, present and future of global climate change strategies. ( Chitrabhanu Bose ) Head Safety & Environmnet

3 THE RIO EARTH SUMMIT Twenty years after the first global environment conference (UN Conference on the Human Environment, Stockholm (1972)), the UN sought to help Governments rethink economic development and find ways to halt the destruction of irreplaceable natural resources and pollution of the planet. In Rio Earth Summit s, 172 governments participated, with 108 sending their heads of state or government. Some 2,400 representatives of NGOs and the media participated in this event to discuss on how to relieve the global environmental system through the introduction to the paradigm of sustainable development. It emphasises that economic and social progress depends critically on the preservation of the natural resource base with effective measures to prevent environmental degradation. The Earth Summit resulted in the following documents Agenda 21: a wide-ranging blueprint for action to achieve sustainable development worldwide. UNFCC: The mission of the Climate Change Convention is to stabilize greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and prevent potentially dangerous interruption with the climate system. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD):to develop national strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. Acronyms The UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) to follow-up, COP- Conference of Parties monitor and report on implementation of the Earth Summit agreements at the local, national, regional and international levels. MOP- Meeting of Parties The The Declaration on Environment + Development to establish a new UNFCCC- United Nations and equitable global partnership through the creation of new levels of Framework Convention on cooperation among states, key sectors of societies and people. Climate Change The Earth Summit influenced all subsequent UN conferences, addressed the need for environmentally sustainable development. Conference of the Parties The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the "supreme body" of the Convention, that is, its highest decision-making authority. It is an association of all the countries that are Parties to the Convention. The COP is responsible for keeping international efforts to address climate change on track. It reviews the implementation of the Convention and examines the commitments of Parties in light of the Convention s objective, new scientific findings and experience gained in implementing climate change policies. A key task for the COP is to review the national communications and emission inventories submitted by Parties. Based on this information, the COP assesses the effects of the measures taken by Parties and the progress made in achieving the ultimate objective of the Convention. Maurice Strong, the Conference Secretary- General, called the Summit a historic moment for humanity IPCC- Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change CDM- Clean Development Mechanism JI- Joint Implementation GEF- Global Environment Fund Annex 1Countries: Developed Nations and Nations with Economies in Transition (EIT) Non Annex 1 Countries: Developing countries S & E Department, Oil India Limited, Duliajan , Id: safety@oilindia.in 1

4 Timeline of Climate Change Conventions S & E Department, Oil India Limited, Duliajan , Id: safety@oilindia.in 2

5 COP 1 - Berlin, Germany December, 1995 Highlights: Berlin Mandate, called upon Annex 1 countries to set quantified emission limitation or reduction objectives for time-frames such as 2005, 2010, and It exempted non-annex I countries from additional binding obligations. Criticism: Industrialized countries, including the United States, at newly industrializing countries, such as Brazil, India, and China- would continue to be classified as non-annex I countries and enjoy exemption from any future, legally binding emissions reduction agreements even though, collectively, these would be the world s largest emitters of greenhouse gas emissions 15 years hence. Highlights: The outcome of this meeting was a ministerial declaration calling for the establishment of legally binding measures for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It accepted the scientific findings on climate change proffered by IPCC in its second assessment (1995) and rejected uniform harmonized policies in favor of flexibility. Criticism: Failed to reach consensus on the need for the industrialized countries to sign on to more stringent and binding emissions cuts than were required for less developed nations COP 2 - Geneva, Switzerland May 1996 COP 3 - Kyoto, Japan December 1997 Highlights: A Kyoto Protocol was adopted, which outlined the greenhouse gas emissions reduction obligation for Annex I countries, along with what came to be known as Kyoto mechanisms such as emissions trading, clean development mechanism and joint implementation. Most industrialized countries and some central European economies in transition (all defined as Annex B countries) agreed to legally binding reductions in greenhouse gas emissions of an average of 6 to 8% below 1990 levels between the years , defined as the first emissions budget period. The United States would be required to reduce its total emissions an average of 7% below 1990 levels. Criticism: Base year Controversy: surrounding the use of 1990 as a base year for emission reduction. Criticism of Carbon Trade: Trading pollution allowances should be avoided because they result in failures in accounting, dubious science and the destructive impacts of projects upon local peoples and environments instead making reductions at the source of pollution and energy policies that are justice-based and community-driven. USA not ratifying the treaty: In rejecting the Kyoto Protocol, which 178 other nations had accepted, President Bush claimed that the treaty requirements would harm the U.S. economy, leading to economic losses. Bush also objected to the exemption for developing nations. S & E Department, Oil India Limited, Duliajan , Id: safety@oilindia.in 3

6 COP 4 - Buenos Aires, Argentina November 1998 Highlights: Parties adopted a 2-year Buenos Aires Plan of Action to advance efforts and to devise mechanisms for implementing the Kyoto Protocol.Parties also addressed compliance, restrictions and financial response mechanisms to encourage more developing countries to sign on to the protocol. During COP4, Argentina and Kazakhstan expressed their commitment to take on the greenhouse gas emissions reduction obligation, the first two non-annex countries to do so. Criticism: Failed to reach consensus on the need for the industrialized countries to sign on to more stringent and binding emissions cuts than were required for less developed nations Highlights: Major themes of negotiations included devising the technical and political mechanisms, such as the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Joint Implementation (JI), and developing criteria for project eligibility, all processes that would allow both developed and developing countries to meet their respective responsibilities under Kyoto Protocol, with optimum flexibility. Criticism: Decision was deferred of Kazakhstan's proposal amendment to add its name to the list in Annex l and proposal to remove Turkey from the lists in Annex I and Annex II. COP 5 - Bonn, Germany October/November 1999 COP 6 (Part 1) - The Hague, Netherlands November 2000 Highlights: Major controversy over the United States' proposal to allow credit for carbon "sinks" in forests and agricultural lands, satisfying a major proportion of the U.S. emissions reductions in this way; disagreements over consequences for noncompliance by countries that did not meet their emission reduction targets; and difficulties in resolving how developing countries could obtain financial assistance to deal with adverse effects of climate change. Criticism: Talks in Hague failed. The "Umbrella Group" consisting of Japan, U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, the Ukraine and Norway, proposed domestic system for emissions trading while EU countries led by Denmark and Germany had its own proposal for such a scheme, known as the EU Bubble. Highlights: Parties resumed negotiations under the Buenos Aires Plan of Action like Flexible Mechanisms (JI and CDM): putting no quantitative limit on the credit a country could claim provided each Annex B country meets its targets. Financing: establishment of three new funds to provide assistance for needs associated with climate change and Compliance: procedures and mechanisms that would address non-compliance with Protocol provisions were agreed upon. COP 6 (Part 2) - Bonn, Germany July 2001 Criticism: United States delegation declined to participate in the negotiations related to the Protocol and chose to take the role of observer at the meeting. S & E Department, Oil India Limited, Duliajan , Id: safety@oilindia.in 4

7 COP 7 - Marrakech, Morocco October/November 2001 Highlights: Extended discussions produced a rule book known as the Marrakech Accords finalizing most of the operational details and setting the stage for nations to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. The date of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (2002) was put forward as a target to bring the Kyoto Protocol into force to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa. Criticism: The United States delegation maintained its observer role. Other parties hoped that U.S would ratify Kyoto Protocol with the requisite number of countries to bring it into force (55 countries needed to ratify it, including those accounting for 55% of developed-country emissions of carbon dioxide in 1990) Highlights: COP 8 adopted the Delhi Ministerial Declaration that, amongst others, called for efforts by developed countries to transfer technology and minimize the impact of climate change on developing countries. Criticism: The Kyoto Protocol's fine print says it can come into force only once it is ratified by 55 countries, including wealthy nations responsible for 55 per cent of the developed world's 1990 carbon dioxide emissions. With the United States (and its 36.1 per cent slice of developed-world carbon dioxide) out of the picture, Australia also refusing ratification, Russia s hesitation to sign; hence, it delayed the process. COP 8 - New Delhi, India October/November 2002 COP 9 - Milan, Italy December 2003 Highlights: The parties agreed to use Adaptation Fund established at COP7 in supporting developing countries better adapt to climate change. The fund would also be used for capacity-building through technology transfer. The parties also agreed to review the first national reports submitted by 110 non-annex I countries. Parties agreed on rules and procedures for the CDM Executive Board, and modalities and procedures for afforestation and reforestation (A&R) activities under the CDM. Criticism: Russia opposed to ratify the protocol Highlights: COP10 discussed the progress made since the first Conference of the Parties 10 years ago and its future challenges, with special emphasis on climate change mitigation and adaptation. To promote developing countries better adapt to climate change, the Buenos Aires Plan of Action was adopted. The parties also began discussing the post-kyoto mechanism, on how to allocate emission reduction obligation following 2012, when the first commitment period ends. Criticism: The CDM process came under fire from members of the financial and business community, who criticized the CDM approval procedures for being overly complex and having narrow scope and the slow progress of the CDM Executive Board in approving CDM projects, COP 10 - Buenos Aires, Argentina December 2004 S & E Department, Oil India Limited, Duliajan , Id: safety@oilindia.in 5

8 COP 11/MOP 1 Montreal, Canada November 2005 Highlights: It was the first Meeting of the Parties (MOP-1) to the Kyoto Protocol since their initial meeting in Kyoto in It was one of the largest intergovernmental conferences on climate change ever. The event marked the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol. The Montreal Action Plan is an agreement hammered out at the end of the conference to "extend the life of the Kyoto Protocol beyond its 2012 expiration date and negotiate deeper cuts in greenhousegas emissions". Criticism: Total emissions of the parties was said to be on a rise. It was alleged that Canadian emissions were 24 higher than in the 1990 baseline year and in 2006 it was 35% higher. The US increase was said to be 12%. Highlights: The parties adopted a five-year plan of work to support climate change adaptation by developing countries, and agreed on the procedures and modalities for the Adaptation Fund. They also agreed to improve the projects for clean development mechanism. Criticism: BBC reporter Richard Black coined the phrase "climate tourists" to describe some delegates who attended "to see Africa, take snaps of the wildlife, the poor, dying African children and women". Majority of the discussions avoided any mention of reducing emissions, there was a disconnect between the political process and the scientific imperative. COP 12/MOP 2 - Nairobi, Kenya November 2006 COP 13/MOP 3 - Bali, Indonesia December 2007 Highlights: Agreement on a timeline and structured negotiation on the post-2012 framework (the end of the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol) was achieved with the adoption of the Bali Action Plan. Criticism: One of the key points that many developing nations were keen to have resolved at the summit was the enforcement of the Kyoto Protocol goal of seeing the developed nations drastically reducing their emissions. With the US, Canada and Japan being distinctly opposed to the goals, instead insisted that emission reductions should be viewed as a voluntary act by each developed country. Highlights: Delegates agreed on principles for the financing of a fund to help the poorest nations cope with the effects of climate change and they approved a mechanism to incorporate forest protection into the efforts of the international community to combat climate change. Negotiations on a successor to the Kyoto Protocol were the primary focus of the conference. Criticism: The Adaptation Fund was close to finalization, it was demanded that adaptation fund should be managed by Government and it should make National Plan of Action for utilizing the fund. The second outstanding issue was whether Carbon Capture and Storage should be allowed as a pilot or definite decision under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). COP 14/MOP 4 - Poznan, Poland December 2008 S & E Department, Oil India Limited, Duliajan , Id: safety@oilindia.in 6

9 COP 15/MOP 5 - Copenhagen, Denmark, December 2009 Highlights: In an international agreement to form the basis of a post-2012 framework when the Kyoto Protocol expires, the Copenhagen Accord was negotiated to set a cap on global temperature rise to below two degrees. This is to be achieved through commitment of countries to significant emission reductions. Countries also agreed to raise finance to support action in the developing world on climate change. Criticism: A 13-paragraph 'political accord' was negotiated by approximately 25 parties including US and China, but it was only 'noted' by the COP as it is considered an external document, not negotiated within the UNFCCC process. The conference did not achieve a binding agreement for long-term action. Highlights: The outcome of the summit was an agreement adopted by the states' parties that called for a large "Green Climate Fund", and a "Climate Technology Centre" and network. The agreement includes a "Green Climate Fund," proposed to be worth $100 billion a year by 2020, to assist poorer countries in financing emission reductions and adaptation. Criticism: There was no agreement on how to extend the Kyoto Protocol, or how the $100 billion a year for the Green Climate Fund will be raised, or whether developing countries should have binding emissions reductions or whether rich countries would have to reduce emissions first. COP 16/MOP 6 Cancun, Mexico 2010 COP 17/MOP 7 Durban, South Africa 2011 Highlights: COP 17 delegates established a framework for negotiating a legally binding treaty on emissions reductions that s slated to begin in 2015 and go into effect in 2020, the year the Kyoto Protocol expires and setting up the foundations of the Copenhagen Green Climate Fund. Also agreements were made on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) program, which is seen as the potential driving force in efforts to protect and conserve forests worldwide. Criticism: The Durban Package only repeats some of the commitments of Copenhagen and Cancun, but fails to indicate a trajectory for scaling up financial commitments, It fails to secure at least 50 percent of all new funding commitments for adaptation, including for financing flowing through the GCF. Conclusion: With the dawn of climate negotiations since 1992 and the establishment of new bodies under the aegis of UNFCCC, there have been rationalizing within the climate change governance system to create a greater focus on implementation and transparency. However, increasing ambition on targets to ensure that temperatures will not rise more than 1.5 to 2 degrees celsius and equity debate, driven by an ethical demand from the least developed and most vulnerable that the world must overcome a form of atmospheric apartheid. Countries must now define strategies to deliver a legally binding and ambitious climate treaty in years to come which would turn their attention to build support for action in their domestic, political and economic systems to open the road way of emerging as an ecological civilization. S & E Department, Oil India Limited, Duliajan , Id: safety@oilindia.in 7