Montreal Protocol

The Montreal Protocol on ozone-damaging gases does

not directly address climate change, but ozone-
damaging gases contribute to global warming. The
1987 Montreal Protocol binds 196 nations to reduce
the emission of ozone-damaging gases, commonly
used in fridges, foam and industrial applications.
These gases thin the ozone layer, allowing more
ultraviolet (UV) light to pass through the atmosphere.
Increased exposure to UV light is linked to an increase
in skin cancer.

Australia was one of the first nations to ratify the

Montreal Protocol, and has met or exceeded all of its
targets to date. In 2016, scientists reported the first
signs of healing in the ozone hole over Antarctica.

In April 2016, the Government responded to a review

of Australia’s actions on reducing the emission of
ozone-damaging gases under the Montreal Protocol.
The review made a number of recommendations, which
the Government will implement and aims to have in
place by the start of January 2018. Amendments to
implement these proposed changes will need to be
introduced into this parliament to meet the 2018
deadline.
UNFCCC, UNEP, WMO, IPCC, COP 24, Kyoto Protocol,
Paris Agreement...
These acronyms and place names all represent international tools and
terms that, under the leadership of the UN, were created to help
advance climate action globally. They all play a specific and different
role in focussing us all on achieving environmental sustainability.
Here’s how it ts together:
In 1992, the UN organised a major event in Rio de Janeiro called the
Earth Summit, in which the UN Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC) was adopted
In this treaty, nations agreed to "stabilize greenhouse gas
concentrations in the atmosphere” to prevent dangerous interference
from human activity on the climate system. Today, the treaty has 197
signatories. Every year since the treaty entered into force in 1994, a
“conference of the parties” – a COP – is held to discuss how to move
forward and, since there have been 25 COPs so far, next year’s will be
the 26th, or “COP 26”.
Because the UNFCCC (https://unfccc.int/) had non-binding limits on
greenhouse gas emissions for individual countries and no enforcement
mechanism, various “extensions” to this treaty were negotiated during
these COPs, including: the famous Kyoto Protocol
(https://unfccc.int/kyoto- protocol-html-version) in 1997, which de ned
emission limits for developed nations to be achieved by 2012; and the
Paris Agreement (https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-
agreement/the- paris-agreement), adopted in 2015, in which all
countries of the world agreed to step up efforts to limit global warming
to 1.5°C above pre-industrial temperatures and boost climate action
nancing.
Two agencies support the scienti c work of the UN on climate change:
the UN Environment Programme (UNEP
(https://www.unenvironment.org/resources/emissions-gap-report-
2018)) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO
(https://www.wmo.int/pages/index_en.html)). Together, they set up the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC
(http://www.ipcc.ch/report/sr15/)) in 1988, which is made of hundreds
of experts, dedicated to assessing data and providing reliable scienti c
evidence for the climate action negotiations, including the upcoming
ones in Katowice.

The UN seems to be having a lot of conferences and

summits on this subject... Is any of it, well... fruitful?
These meetings have been vital to and a global consensus on an issue
that requires a global solution. Although progress has been much
slower than needed, the process -- which has been as challenging as it
is ambitious – has worked to bring all countries with very different
circumstances, together. Progress has been made every step of the way.
Some of the concrete actions taken so far prove one thing: climate
action
has a real positive impact and can truly help us prevent the worst. Here
are some notable achievements so far:
- At least 57 countries (https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/11/1026691)
have managed to bring their greenhouse gas emissions down to the
levels required to curb global warming.
- There are at least 51 “carbon pricing” initiatives
(https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/11/1026691) in the works; charging
those who emit carbon dioxide per tonne emitted.
- In 2015, 18 high-income countries (https://unfccc.int/news/18-
industrial-states-release-climate-finance-statement) committed to
donating US$100 billion a year for climate action in developing
countries. So far, over $70 billion have been mobilised.
A boy watches the shore from a boat near Sirajganj, a community affected by severe
erosion that has left many displaced. Sirajganj, Bangladesh. October 2016

Why is everyone talking about the Paris Agreement?

The Paris document – which provides the world with the only viable
option for addressing climate change – has been ratied by 184 parties
(https://unfccc.int/process/the-paris- agreement/status-of-ratication),
and entered into force in November 2016.
The commitments contained in it are signi cant:
- Limit global average temperature rise to well below 2°C and pursue
efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C.
- Ramp up nancing for climate action, including the annual $100 billion
goal from donor nations for lower-income countries.
- Develop national climate plans by 2020, including their self-
determined goals and targets. - Protect benecial ecosystems that absorb
greenhouse gases, including forests.
- Strengthen resilience and
reduce vulnerability to climate change.
- Finalize a work programme
to implement the agreement in 2018.
The United States, which joined the Agreement in 2016, announced its
intention in July 2017, to withdraw from it. However, the nation
remains a party to the Agreement at least until November 2020, which
is the earliest that it can legally request to withdraw from it.

Why is +1.5°C a critical line?

According to scientific research assessed by the IPCC

(https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/10/1022492), keeping global
warming to no more than 1.5°C global average over pre-industrial
levels, will help stave off devastating permanent damage to the planet
and its people, including: the irreversible loss of habitat
(https://news.un.org/en/story/2017/12/640002-arctic-
forever-changed-rapidly-warming-climate-un-weather-agency) for
animals in the Arctic and Antarctic; much more frequent instances of
deadly extreme heat (https://news.un.org/en/story/2016/07/535592-un-
warns-more-heatwave-deaths-climate-change- pushes-temperatures);
water scarcity (https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/03/1004982) that
could affect over 300 million people; the disappearance of coral reefs
(https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/11/1025731) which are essential for
entire communities and marine life; sea level rise which is threatening
the future and economy of entire small island nations
(https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/11/1025701), etc.
All in all, the UN estimates that 420 million fewer people could be
affected by climate change if we manage to stick to a 1.5°C increase,
instead of 2°C.
We are still far from turning the corner toward a carbon-neutral future,
and the need to move forward is greater than ever. The data tells us it is
still possible to limit climate change to 1.5°C, but the window of
opportunity is closing and it will require unprecedented changes in all
aspects of society.

Asia-Pacific Partnership
on Clean Development
and Climate
The Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate,
also known as APP, was an international, voluntary, public-private
partnership among Australia, Canada, India, Japan, the People's Republic
of China, South Korea, and the United States announced July 28, 2005 at
an Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum
meeting and launched on January 12, 2006 at the Partnership's inaugural
Ministerial meeting in Sydney. As of 5 April 2011, the Partnership formally
concluded although a number of individual projects continue. The
conclusion of the APP and cancellation of many of its projects attracted
almost no media comment.

Foreign, Environment and Energy Ministers from partner countries agreed

to co-operate on the development and transfer of technology which enables
reduction of greenhouse gas emissions that is consistent with and
complementary to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and
other relevant international instruments, and is intended to complement
but not replace the Kyoto Protocol.,[1] Ministers agreed to a Charter,
Communique and Work Plan that "outline a ground-breaking new model
of private-public task forces to address climate change, energy security and
air pollution."

Member countries account for over 50% of the world's greenhouse gas
emissions, energy
consumption, GDP and population. Unlike the Kyoto
Protocol (currently unratified by the
United States), which imposes
mandatory limits on greenhouse gas emissions, the Partnership engages
member countries to accelerate the development and deployment of clean
energy technologies, with no mandatory enforcement mechanism. This has
led to criticism that the Partnership is worthless, by other governments,
climate scientists and environmental groups. Proponents, on the other
hand, argue that unrestricted economic growth and emission reductions
can only be brought about through active engagement by all major
polluters, which includes India and China, within the Kyoto Protocol
framework neither India nor China are yet required to reduce emissions.

Canada became the 7th member of the APP at the Second Ministerial
Meeting in New Delhi on October 15, 2007. Canada's Prime Minister
Stephen Harper earlier expressed his intention to join the Partnership in
August 2007, despite some domestic opposition.[2]

Aims
U.S. former President George W. Bush called it a "new results-oriented
partnership" that he said "will allow our nations to develop and accelerate
deployment of cleaner, more efficient energy technologies to meet national
pollution reduction, energy security and climate change concerns in ways
that reduce poverty and promote economic development."[3] John
Howard, the former Australian Prime Minister, described the pact as "fair
and effective"

However, the Worldwide Fund for Nature stated that "a deal on climate
change that doesn't limit pollution is the same as a peace plan that allows
guns to be fired" whilst the British Governments' chief scientific adviser,
Sir David King, in a BBC interview said he doubted the new deal could
work without setting caps on emissions, but added it should be seen as a
sign of progress on climate change.[4] Compared to the Kyoto Protocol,
which so far requires no emission reductions from India and China, the
APP actively engages both countries through building market incentives to
reduce greenhouse emissions along with building capacity and providing
clean technology transfers. Proponents argue that this approach creates a
greater likelihood that both India and China will, sooner rather than later,
effectively cut their greenhouse emissions even though they are not
required to do so under the Kyoto Protocol.

The Partnership's inaugural Ministerial meeting established eight

government/business taskforces through its Work Plan,[5] posted on the
APP website.[6]
1. cleaner fossil energy [7]
 2. renewable energy and distributed generation
[8] 3. power generation and transmission [9]
 4. steel[10]
 5.

aluminum[11]
 6. cement[12]
 7. coal mining [13]
 8. buildings and

appliances [14]

Criticism
The Partnership has been criticized by environmentalists who have
rebuked the proceedings as ineffectual without mandatory limits on
greenhouse-gas emissions. A coalition of national environment groups and
networks from all of the APP countries issued a challenge [22] to their
governments to make the APP meaningful by agreeing to mandatory
targets, creating financial mechanisms with incentives for the
dissemination of clean energy technologies, and create an action plan to
overcome the key barriers to technology transfer. U.S. Senator John
McCain said the Partnership "[amounted] to nothing more than a nice little
public relations ploy.",[23] while the Economist described the Partnership
as "patent fig-leaf for the refusal of America and Australia to ratify
Kyoto".[24]

Successes
Proponents of the Partnership have lauded the APP’s achievements since
its inception in 2006. In its over three years, the Partnership has
established a record of achievement in promoting collaboration between
our governments and private sector in key energy-intensive sectors and
activities. The Partnership has worked to develop and implement detailed
action plans across key sectors of the energy economy, and to date has
endorsed 175 collaborative projects including 22 flagship projects across all
the seven Partner countries. These projects have, inter alia, helped power
plant managers improve the efficiency of their operations, trained cement
plant operators how to save energy at their facilities, assisted in pushing
solar photovoltaics toward commercialization, and improved design,
equipment and operations of buildings and appliances. The Partnership
has been widely noted for its innovative work in public-private sector
cooperation, and stands as an example of the benefits of international
cooperative efforts in addressing climate change.[25]
After examining the text thereof, I find it advisable to accede to the Paris
Agreement and seek the Senate’s concurrence thereto,” he said.

The Philippines pledged a 70-percent cut in emissions by 2030.

Upon ratification, the Philippines, among the nations most vulnerable to the
destructive impact of climate change, will have access to the Green Climate Fund.

Under the fund, developed nations, for long the world’s biggest carbon emitters,
are obliged to pool together $100 million annually to support vulnerable and low-
emitting nations in facing the impact of climate change.

The Montreal Protocol on

Substances That Deplete the
Ozone Layer

BACKGROUND
The Montreal Protocol, finalized in 1987, is a global agreement to
protect the stratospheric ozone layer by phasing out the production
and consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODS). The
stratospheric ozone layer filters out harmful ultraviolet radiation,
which is associated with an increased prevalence of skin cancer
and cataracts, reduced agricultural productivity, and disruption of
marine ecosystems. The United States ratified the Montreal
Protocol in 1988 and has joined four subsequent amendments. The
United States has been a leader within the Protocol throughout its
existence, and has taken strong domestic action to phase out the
production and consumption of ODS such as chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs) and halons.
The Montreal Protocol has proven to be innovative and successful,
and is the first treaty to achieve universal ratification by all
countries in the world. Leveraging worldwide participation, the
Montreal Protocol has sent clear signals to the global market and
placed the ozone layer, which was in peril, on a path to repair. Full
implementation of the Montreal Protocol is expected to result in
avoidance of more than 280 million cases of skin cancer,
approximately 1.6 million skin cancer deaths, and more than 45
million cases of cataracts in the United States alone by the end of
the century, with even greater benefits worldwide. The Montreal
Protocol’s Scientific Assessment Panel estimates that with
implementation of the Montreal Protocol we can expect near
complete recovery of the ozone layer by the middle of the 21st
century. Further information on the science of the Stratospheric
Ozone Layer can be found on the NASA and NOAA websites, and
information on the U.S. domestic implementation of the Montreal
Protocol can be found on the EPA website.
The full text of the Protocol, information on its institutions and
past actions, and related publications are available through the
UNEP Ozone Secretariat.

KIGALI AMENDMENT TO
THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL
On October 15, 2016, Parties to the Montreal Protocol adopted the
Kigali amendment to phase down production and consumption of
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) worldwide. HFCs are widely used
alternatives to ozone depleting substances such as
hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs), already controlled under the Protocol.
This amendment creates market certainty and opens international
markets to new technology that is better for the environment,
without compromising performance. It calls on all countries to
gradually phase down their production and consumption of HFCs
in the coming decades using the flexible, innovative, and effective
approaches the Montreal Protocol has used for three decades.
Global stakeholders endorsed adoption of the Kigali amendment,
including most of the major U.S. companies working in related
sectors.
Renewable energy offers new job opportunities and is crucial to creating more
sustainable and inclusive communities. Photo: KarstenWurth

The initiatives demonstrate that achieving the

1.5°C goal requires the mobilization of all
actors across society – countries, regions,
cities, companies, investors, and other
organizations – working collaboratively
towards reducing emissions to net zero by
2050. The initiatives are organized under the
Summit’s nine Action Areas.
6 ways climate change
will affect PH cities
Climate change is happening now and it's happening, not in far-flung
corners of the world, but in human communities.

Scientists say human activities are largely responsible for the continued
increase in average global temperatures, which causes climate change.
Global greenhouse gases emitted by the fossil fuel industry (which gives
us electricity and fuels our cars) trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere
thus warming the entire planet.

Philippine cities will likely experience at least one of these effects of

climate change:

1. More intense El Niño

The El Niño phenomenon occurs when the surface of ocean waters in

the southern Pacific becomes abnormally warm. The energy created by
this warming is so great that it can create an imbalance in the weather
in different parts of the world. In Southeast Asia, it can lead to
abnormally dry conditions.

El Niño can also make other weather events like storms highly
unpredictable. Weather will have extreme highs and lows, making it
"increasingly difficult to accurately predict weather patterns for purposes
of planning and normal business operations," says a WWF-Philippines
study.

2. Sea surface temperatures to rise

By the end of the century, sea surface temperatures are expected to

rise by 1 to 4 degrees Celsius. This can lead to more powerful storms
because storms get their strength from heat rising from the sea.

In the Philippines, 4 and 5 degree Celsius spikes above the normal sea
surface temperature have been recorded. Warmer seas kill coral reefs
and can thus lead to a decline in fish catch, putting food security in
danger.

3. Ocean acidification

The shift in the Ph levels of our oceans can lead to widespread coral
reef death. Because of the imbalance, shrimps are not able to develop
skins, oysters cannot develop shells. Fish larvae may not be able to
develop bones. This further endangers food security and the livelihood
of fishermen.

4. Sea levels to rise by 4 to 6 meters

Current data show an increase in sea surface heights. Scientists say

this is due to the melting of ice sheets in northern portions of the globe
like Antarctica and Greenland. Sea level rise by 4 to 6 meters can
submerge low-lying communities like Tacloban City which stands only 3
meters above sea level.

5. Tropical cyclones to intensify

The creation of tropical cyclones is already being recorded in areas
where the phenomenon had never been observed. On Nov 8, 2013,
Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), said to be the strongest storm in
recorded history, devastated cities in Visayas.

6. Rainfall, river flow and flooding to intensify

Monsoon rainfall in the Philippines will reach new highs and lows. Some
parts of the country will experience an upward trend in rainfall while
other parts will experience an intensification of drought. These two
extreme poles of weather will make it more difficult for agriculture and
aquaculture sectors which are highly dependent on weather.

Philippine cities are already experiencing unprecedented amounts of

rainfall. In Tacloban City, rainfall increased by 257% from 1998 to 2011.
More rainfall will lead to more flooding and can trigger landslides in
upland communities.