CC 1.5

• Describe the background of the IPCC in terms of the role of the IPCC in shaping policy making (3) - Created in 1988 by the United Nations environment programme and aimed to produce reports to inform policy makers - IPCC has 195 members countries and provides them with reports on the impact of climate change, warming provided by IPCC have underlined and encouraged policy change - The paris 2015 climate conference cam as a result of the 2014 IPCC report
• Describe the 2014 IPCC fifth assessment report in terms of the role of the IPCC in shaping policy making - Stated that human influence on the climate system is clear, it was the domiant cause of global warming between 1950 and 2010, and it found that without new policies to mitigate climate change mean temps could increase by 4 degrees by 2100
• Describe the 2022 IPCC sixth assessment report in terms of the role of the IPCC in shaping policy making (2) - Had 8 key findings including that we have the options to halve emissions by 2030, extreme weather event frequency is increasing and glaciers are melting, ocean acidification is increasing - Also found the global economy is vulnerable to climate change, and that climate change is exacerbating existing inequalities
• Describe the role of the IPCC in shaping global climate policy in terms of the role of the IPCC in shaping policy making (3) - Its a global scale institution with 195 member countries, over 200 scientists read 14000 research papers to produce the report - However it has been suggested that the IPCC has fulfilled it purpose, it doesnt carry any authority and is not legally binding - Some countries also edit and manipulate report findings to avoid negative portrayal of themselves which does limit its effectiveness
• Describe the two main international directives (2) - 1997 Kyoto Protocol - 2015 Paris Agreement
• Describe the background of the kyoto protocol in terms of international directives - Developed at COP3, phase one took place between 2005 and 2012 and phase two from 2013 to 2020
• Describe the success of kyoto protocol in terms of international directives (2) - Phase one was legally binding, however phase two was voluntary and involved predominantly the EU - The developed countries involved in the protoco agreed to reduce emissions by 5.5% from 1990 averag, many european countries achieved this easily
• Describe the failures of Kyoto Protocol in terms of international directives (4) - Some countries in europe achieved their target too easily, suggesting kyoto was too restrictive yet some countries involved increased their emissions - The protocol didnt include the developing world like china and india, but between 1992 and 2007 china had the biggest increase in emissions at 150% - US senate managed to block kyoto protocol and didnt ratify it, US contributed to 25% of all emissios in the air today making up just 4% of the population - In total only 14% of the worlds co2 emissions signed up
• Describe the 2015 Paris agreement in terms of international directives (2) - Operated via INDCs with countries committing their own goal for reducing emissions, many overestimated their ability and some underestimated - It enables countries to be ambitious if they want to be, and encourage more countries to take part as they arent bound to a certain emission reduction
• Describe limitations of the 2015 Paris agreement - Voluntary INDCs in some cases leads to countries like canada declaring their intentions to increase emissions, like canada declaring an increase of 20%
• Describe the significance of carbon trading and carbon credits (2) - EUETS cap and trade scheme forces polluters to cut emissions or face a fine, by allocating them tradable emissions credits with one credit equalling 1 tonne, if emissions exceeded allowances the participants need to purchase credits - The number of credits is reduced each year, and on top of that companies with insufficient credits are also fined 100 euros for every excess co2 tonne
• Describe the success of carbon trading and carbon credits (2) - Has achieved a real reduction in emissions with EU renewables directive encouraging the UK to increase renewable energy output ontop of carbon credits by nearly 90% - It is a mandatory system in operation since january 2005
• Describe the Failures of carbon trading and carbon credits (3) - Emissions targets have lacked ambition, with a 20% reduction goal by 2020 achieved by 2011, it also does not cover any form of agricultural industry - Covers only 40% of EU emissions, with some member states slow to implement the trading scheme directives policies - In the early statges there were too many credits in circulation, industries also criticise the scheme as it imposes extra costs that non-eu competitors can take advantage of, like the aviation industy
• Describe Denmarks National policies that extend beyond international directives - Although denmark is in eu, its climate policy extends beyond EUs climate directive, they targte 40% reduction on 1990 emissions by 2020, and all energy to be renewable by 2050
• Describe how denmark will achieve its policies in terms of national policies that extend beyond international directives (3) - Phasing out fossil fuels by introducing carbon taxes, tax exemptions for electric cars, subsidising public transport and railway electrification - Controlling the methane produced by livestock and fertiliser usage in agricultural sector - Increasing investment in renewable energy
• Describe how denmark shifted from a mitigation strategy prior to 2010 towards adaption strategies following 2010 in terms of national policies that extend beyond international directives (2) - In 2011 copenhagen developed its own adaption strategy aiming to create climate proof neighbourhoods, improving the cities storm water drains as copenhagen is at sea level, storm barriers are planned and new buildings to be elevated by at least 1 metre - Tackling threat of urban heat island by creating more areas of open water, vegetation and shade
• Describe how california have developed a climate change mitigation strategy towards climate change in terms of subnational policies that extend beyond international directives (3) - Reducing fossil fuel generated electricity by preventing new coal fired plants and beginning to retire coal fired plants - Cap and trade scheme set up in 2013 second largest in the world behind EUETS, covering 85% of polluters in the state - Aims to generate 33% of its electricity from renewables by 2020 and 50% by 2050, subsidies now available from the state for renewable energy development