Transcript Origins of CDM

Capacity Development for the Clean Development Mechanism (CD4CDM)
Project
2nd National Workshop on the Capacity Development for the
Clean Development Mechanism (CD4CDM)
in Cambodia
4 November 2003, MiCasa Hotel, Phnom Penh
Origins of the CDM Climate Change and the Kyoto
Protocol
Presented by Chea Chan Thou
NTC Member, Ministry of Environment
Content
 The Greenhouse Effect
 Climate Change
 The United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
 The Kyoto Protocol
The Greenhouse Effect (1)
 The warming of the atmosphere by heat reflected from the earth
is called the greenhouse effect.
 The greenhouse effect actually makes the earth habitable.
Without the greenhouse effect, the earth would be much colder.
 Main greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere include
water vapor, CO2 , CH4, N2O.
 Increased concentration of GHGs causes more heat to be
retained in the atmosphere and more heat to be reflected back
to the earth surface and this will lead to a rise in average global
temperatures (global warming).
The Greenhouse Effect (2)
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The Greenhouse Effect (3)
 Increased GHGs have been released into the
atmosphere by human activities such as burning
fossil fuels, mining activities, vehicle emissions,
deforestation etc., that may enhance the
greenhouse effect.
 The concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has
increased from 295 parts per million (ppm) in 1870
to 370 ppm in 2000.
The Greenhouse Effect (4)
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Climate Change (1)
 Weather: hourly or daily fluctuations in the atmosphere
 Climate: the “average” of a series of weather events
over 30-year period
 What Is the Climate Change?
“Any change in climate over time, whether due to natural
variability or as a result of human activity”.
(Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change - IPCC)
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Climate Change (2)
Evidence of Climate Change
The global average surface temperature has increased in the
20th century by about 0.6oC.
Snow cover and ice extent have decreased.
Floods and droughts have occurred more frequently in the
recent years.
Average sea level has increased (0.1-0.2m in the 20th century).
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Climate Change (3)
IPCC projected for 2100:
1. The average global surface temperature will
increase by 1.4 to 5.8oC.
2. Global average water vapor concentration and
precipitation will increase.
3. Global mean sea level will rise by 0.09 to 0.88 m.
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Climate Change (4)
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The United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC) (1)
 In Rio de Janeiro (June 1992), the international
community took the first steps to combat climate
change by introducing the UNFCCC.
 The UNFCCC was adopted by most developed
and developing countries. The Convention
entered into force in March 1994.
 In December 2001, the Convention has received
186 instruments of ratification.
The United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC) (2)
The UNFCCC is a foundation of global efforts to combat
global warming.
The objective of the UNFCCC is “Stabilization of
greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a
level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic
interference with climate system”.
The Convention sets out some guiding principles:
Precautionary principle;
Common but differentiated responsibilities;
Needs of developing countries for sustainable
development.
The United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC) (3)
 The uppermost body of the Convention is the Conference
of the Parties (CoP), which is responsible for achieving its
objective.
 Since 1995, the CoP has held annual meeting and this year
it will be held in Italy (CoP-9).
 The Convention is supported by the IPCC (a panel of
2,500 scientists) which has concluded that “Climate change
is real and human activities are contributing to it.”
The Kyoto Protocol (1)
What is the Kyoto Protocol?
 An international agreement to address climate change by
reducing greenhouse gases emissions.
 In 1997, at COP 3, the Kyoto Protocol was adopted.
 Industrialized countries have to reduce their GHGs
emissions by 5% compared to their 1990 level for the period
2008-2012.
Developing countries do not have to reduce their
emissions, but have to participate in global efforts.
The reduction targets cover six main GHGs: CO2, CH4,
N2O, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons
(PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6).
The Kyoto Protocol (2)
• After more than 4 years of discussions, in 2001
governments agreed to the Marrakech Accords
on how to implement this Kyoto Protocol.
• The Protocol establishes 3 cooperative
mechanisms to help industrialized countries to
meet their emission targets by achieving emission
reductions at lower costs through:
– International Emission Trading;
– Joint Implementation (JI); and
– The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
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The Kyoto Protocol (3)
• As of 3January 2003, 102 countries had ratified the Kyoto
Protocol, including European countries, Canada and
Japan, plus a large number of developing countries.
• Cambodia ratified the Kyoto Protocol on 4 July 2002.
• Article 12.2 of the Kyoto Protocol states “The purpose of
the Clean Development Mechanism shall be to assist
parties not included in Annex I in achieving sustainable
development and contributing to the ultimate objective of
the Convention, and to assist parties included in Annex I in
achieving compliance with their quantified emission
limitation and reduce commitments under Article 3”.
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Any questions?