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Mrunal Kyoto Protocol, Carbon Trading, Copenhagen Accord - Meaning, Explained Print
Mrunal Kyoto Protocol, Carbon Trading, Copenhagen Accord - Meaning, Explained Print
Mrunal Kyoto Protocol, Carbon Trading, Copenhagen Accord: Meaning, Explained Print
8. 9. 10. 11.
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Mrunal Kyoto Protocol, Carbon Trading, Copenhagen Accord: Meaning, Explained Print
These meetings are called Conference of the Parties (COP) The first COP (COP 1) was held in Berlin. Third COP (COP 3) held in Kyoto, Japan. It was here the famous Kyoto Protocol came in to existence. 2011: COP held in Durban, S.Africa. 2012: COP will be held in Doha, Qatar in November 2012 (so it becomes important topic for next prelims!)
Annex
Annex means some elaboration/detail given at the end of a book/treaty. Annex What? Annex I List of industrialized countries and economies in transition: US, France, Japan etc. These countries had pledged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2000.
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mrunal.org/2012/09/enb-kyoto.html/print/
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Mrunal Kyoto Protocol, Carbon Trading, Copenhagen Accord: Meaning, Explained Print
Annex II
A sub-group of Annex 1 Countries, these Annex II countries are required to give financial assistance and technology to the developing countries (non-Annex countries).
Non Annex
Developing countries like India, Brazil, China. They donot have compulsory binding targets to reduce green house gas emission, although they are encouraged to do it. It gives the list of 6 Green House gases that are responsible for the whole problem
Annex A
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Carbon dioxide (CO2); Methane (CH4); Nitrous oxide (N2O); Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs); Perfluorocarbons (PFCs); and Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) This gives the Annex I countries (Developed countries) compulsory binding targets to reduce green house gas emission. For example USA is required to cut down its emission by 7%
Annex B
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Mrunal Kyoto Protocol, Carbon Trading, Copenhagen Accord: Meaning, Explained Print
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Mrunal Kyoto Protocol, Carbon Trading, Copenhagen Accord: Meaning, Explained Print
from Japan and thus remain within its limit. In real life scenario, each annex B country makes law giving fixed quota to the companies. Suppose steel factory cannot emit more than 1 ton of Green house gas Tire company cannot emit more than 2 tonnes of green house gas. So if tire company owner buys superfine machinaries that produce less gas so he has some spare credit/quota (say 1 ton) While Steel factory emits more than its allowed quota (suppose it was allowed 2 tonnes but emitted 3 tonnes) Then the steel company can pay the tire company and get a certificate that weve purchase 1 ton quota from this xyz tire company. This Is the essence of Carbon Trading. Here are some charts to understand it better. But the text in below image is hard to read (because the original images were in low quality). Solution =just hold down Ctrl Key on your keyboard and move your mouse-wheel upwards and itll zoom the image.
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Mrunal Kyoto Protocol, Carbon Trading, Copenhagen Accord: Meaning, Explained Print
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Mrunal Kyoto Protocol, Carbon Trading, Copenhagen Accord: Meaning, Explained Print
emission has increased to 11 units. (1 more unit above the quota) So this company can also do some solar-projects in India, Brazil etc. and get a certificate that it has led to reduction of 1 unit of GHG emission. = problem solved.
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Mrunal Kyoto Protocol, Carbon Trading, Copenhagen Accord: Meaning, Explained Print
In the meeting, the BASIC blocBrazil, South Africa, India and Chinaand the U.S., came up with a political agreement. This agreement is known as the Copenhagen Accord. It says all countries should pledge to reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emission but all of the pledges made under the Copenhagen Accord are voluntary; There are no binding obligations placed on these pledges by the UNFCCC or any other international body. UNFCCC acknowledged the Copenhagen Accord and has assisted in collecting the GHG reduction pledges of various countries. Copenhagen Accord also lays the groundwork for financial commitments from developed countries (US,UK) to developing countries (India,Brazil etc) for climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.
United States
China is the world leader in total annual Green House Gas emissions U.S. is second. EU is third. United States is the only Annex I country that has not ratified the Kyoto Protocol. In line with the Copenhagen Accord, the U.S. has pledged a 17% reduction in GHG emissions, against a 2005 baseline, by 2020. (but this is not legally binding). As we saw earlier, US is not in favour of any legally binding commitments. Besides, Obama has to face election in November.
BASIC Countries
Brazil, South Africa, India and China, this group includes the worlds major emerging economies and some of its largest emitters together, the group accounts for around 30% of global GHG emissions. BASIC countries, along with the US, were the authors of the Copenhagen Accord and will continue to be some of the most influential players in the negotiations.
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Mrunal Kyoto Protocol, Carbon Trading, Copenhagen Accord: Meaning, Explained Print
All of the BASIC countries have ratified the Kyoto Protocol. But theyre not under any binding obligation to meet a specified target. (because these countries are not part of Annex B countries of Kyoto Protocol). Under the Copenhagen Accord, China and India have pledged to reduce their carbon intensitythe amount of GHG emissions per unit GDPby 40-45% and 20-25%, respectively, against 2005 levels by 2020. (again not legally binding). BASIC countries recently met in Brazil in September 2012, and declared their intentions (what they want in COP meeting @Doha, Qatar in Nov.2012): 1. rich countries should take on more of a burden to reduce emissions because of their historical contribution to global warming. 2. new agreement should respect the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities, 3. new Kyoto commitment period should start on January 1, 2013
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