10th NOVEMBER 2015
GREEN TUESDAY • Data Management • Legislation • Compliance
A Unique Perspective
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A Unique Perspective | Green Tuesday | 10.11.2015
EU: Global Response to Climate Change Keeps Door Open to 2°C Temperature Limit
An unusual world-wide effort is underway to combat climate change of keeping a global temperature rise to under 2°C
An unusual world-wide effort is underway to combat climate change, building confidence that nations can cost effectively meet their stated objective of keeping a global temperature rise to under 2°C.
Background The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international environmental treaty negotiated at the United Nations Conference held in Rio de Janeiro from 3 to 14 June 1992. The treaty itself set no binding limits on greenhouse gas emissions for individual countries and contains no enforcement mechanisms. In that sense, the treaty is considered legally non-binding. Instead, the treaty provides a framework for negotiating specific international treaties.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international environmental treaty
New United Nations Report Synthesizes National Climate Plans from 146 Countries A report released on 30th October 2015 by the UNFCCC secretariat, assessing the collective impact of over 140 national climate action plans, illustrates that together they can dramatically slow global emissions into the atmosphere. Another key finding is that the aggregate impact of the “Intended Nationally Determined Contributions” (INDCs) will lead to a fall in per capita emissions over the next 15 years. The report captures the overall impact of national climate plans covering 146 countries as of 1 October 2015. This comprises 119 separate INDCs from 147 Parties to the UNFCCC, including the EU, a single Party representing 28 countries. Since then, more INDCs have been sent and submissions are likely to continue.
A report released on 30th October 2015 by the UNFCCC secretariat illustrates that together they can dramatically slow global emissions into the atmosphere
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A Unique Perspective | Green Tuesday | 10.11.2015
The 146 plans include all developed nations and three quarters of developing countries under the UNFCCC, covering 86% of global greenhouse gas emissions – almost four times the level of the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, the world’s first international emission reduction treaty that required emissions cuts from industrialized countries. One of the key findings is that the INDCs will bring global average emissions per capita down by as much as 8% in 2025 and 9% in by 2030. The secretariat report does not precisely assess implications for temperature change by the end of the century under the INDCs because information on emissions beyond 2030 is required. However, other independent analyses have, based on a range of assumptions, methodologies and data sources, attempted to estimate the impact of the INDCs on temperature leading to a range of average estimates below, at or above 3 degrees C. Importantly all deliver more or less similar emission levels in 2025 and 2030 and all confirm that the INDCs, if fully implemented, are an important advance on previous scenarios. In one month (30 November), the 21st UN climate change conference begins in Paris. The summit’s objective is to limit global warming to a maximum of two degrees by 2050, with greenhouse gas emissions expected to be reduced.
One of the key findings is that the INDCs will bring global average emissions per capita down by as much as 8% in 2025 and 9% in by 2030
In one month (30 November), the 21st UN climate change conference begins in Paris
Transition to low-CO2 economy - a priority According to scientists, the two degrees figure is the maximum limit below which the effects of global warming, such as floods and droughts, can be controlled. Whether the ambitious set of goals can be achieved hinges on the Paris negotiations. Governments need to decide how to implement their targets and how to make them legally binding. It is also of the utmost importance that a course is plotted for further improvements and progress. In Bonn, a draft was produced that focuses on two highly-political issues, on the last round of negotiations before the conference. The first is the means by which global warming can actually be combatted, while the other is how to help countries adapt to climate change, especially less developed countries. However, the draft stopped short of addressing the most important points. These will be top of the agenda in Paris.
According to scientists, the two degrees figure is the maximum limit below which the effects of global warming, such as floods and droughts, can be controlled
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A Unique Perspective | Green Tuesday | 10.11.2015
UK: British public eager for Green Deal replacement According to a new poll by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), up to 84% of the British public would like to see subsidies given to programmes that reduce energy waste.
According to a new poll by the ECIU, up to 84% of the British public would like to see subsidies given to programmes that reduce energy waste
The ComRes poll of more than 2,000 British adults found that 79% currently support subsidies insulating homes and 77% support subsidies for measures that cut energy waste in power transmission. Combined, subsidy support for these policies reached 84%. After the Conservative Government controversially scrapped the Green Deal back in July, with plans to deliver a replacement scheme after the end of its spending review this month, the UK does not currently have a major insulation programme. Owing to the age of many UK properties – nearly 60% are more than 50 years old and 80% of these will still be around by 2050 - Britain’s household energy efficiency is among the worst in Europe. The number of households in fuel poverty is estimated to increase to 2.33 million. On the grid scale, a recent report from Greenpeace and the Association of Decentralised Energy (ADE) found that the UK loses 54% of its electric energy - worth £9.5bn and enough to cover half of every household’s annual electricity bill - before it even reaches end users.
Owing to the age of many UK properties, Britain’s household energy efficiency is among the worst in Europe
The 54% figure - caused by an inefficient energy system - is one of the worst in Europe and equates to the annual carbon emissions of every car in the UK. The findings highlight the case for the Government to develop a new strategy on energy efficiency, according to ECIU director Richard Black.
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