Transcript Introduction to Climate Change

Climate change introduction
Hugh Muschamp
12 February 2008
Outline of this first session
1. Case for climate change
2. Background on climate change
- Mitigation
- Adaptation
3. Drivers
- Policy and legislation
- Organisational and personal
The case for climate change
“Climate change presents very serious
global risks, and it commands an
urgent global response…it is the
greatest and widest-ranging market
failure ever seen”
(Stern Review 2006)
“Climate change is a far greater threat to
the world than global terrorism”
(Sir David King, Government’s Chief
Scientific Advisor)
Terminology
Mitigation of climate change
slow down climate change by reducing
greenhouse gas emissions
Adaptation to climate change
respond to the predicted impacts of
unavoidable climate change
Mitigation - the carbon equivellent
Greenhouse gas
Carbon dioxide CO2
Methane CH4
Global Warming
Potential GWP
1
21
Nitrous oxide N2O
310
Hexaflourocarbons
140 - 11,700
Perfluorocarbons
6,500 - 9,200
Sulphur
hexafluoride SF6
23,900
Climate change prediction
Climate change prediction
Adaptation - climate and weather
Weather - the conditions on any given
day
Climate - the total experience of
weather over a longer period of time
(conventionally 30 years) –
averages, trends, records.
“Climate is what you expect, weather
is what you get.” Robert Heinlein, 1973
UKCIP 02
UKCIP08 3
Adaptation
www.ukcip08.org.uk
Free web based database launching
November 2008
www.sccip.org.uk
Scottish climate change impacts
partnership
Only 2 degrees? - Arctic ice


There is evidence
that both Arctic
and Antarctic ice
cover is reducing
In 2007 the North
West Passage was
free of ice
Only 2 degrees? - early flowering
3 weeks
early
Snowdrop
Wild Daffodil
Winter aconite
2 weeks
early
Bluebell
Dog violet
1 week
early
Celandine
Courtesy:
Prof. Fred Last,
Longniddry
Broom
Wild cherry
cartoon
Policy and Legislation
Global - Kyoto Protocol 1998


Reduce greenhouse gas emissions below
1990 levels - UK 12.5%
Bali - roadmap to agreement in 2009
Europe - Spring 2007



New binding targets
Reduce emissions at least 20% below 1990
levels by 2020
To increase this commitment to 30% if an
international agreement is reached
Policy and Legislation - UK



UK Domestic goal; 20% reduction in CO2
emissions below 1990 levels by 2010
Energy White Paper Feb 2003; 60%
reduction by 2050
UK Climate Bill; proposes 60% reductions by
2050
The Stern Review

Economics of climate change
Policy and Legislation - UK





EU & UK Emissions Trading Scheme
The Carbon Reduction Commitment
Building Regulations
National Travel Plan
National Waste Strategy
In addition - voluntary agreements and advice
Energy Performance and Buildings
Directive
To improve the energy performance of buildings through
cost effective measures
Category
Date of introduction
Construction
Introduced 1 May2007
Sale (dwelling)
Autumn 2008*
Sale (non-dwelling)
4 January 2009
Rental
4 January 2009
Public Buildings
On display by 4 January 2009
* introduction to align with Single Survey
Public buildings and dwellings
Carbon Reduction Commitment




New mandatory emissions trading
Large commercial and public sector
organisations with metered electricity
exceeding 6,000 MWh per year
Auction allowances and recycled revenues
Expected to start 2010
draft Climate Change Bill
Scotland



80% reduction by 2050
3% per year with 5 year binding targets
Consultation responses by April 2008
“Tackling climate change can also bring clear
and tangible benefits to Scotland itself,
bringing new jobs, cost savings and
improved local environments that can
generate sustainable economic growth.”
Action for organisations
Reduce energy

Energy efficiency


Estate…
Advice…
Produce energy

Onsite and offsite


CHP…
Renewable
electricity…
Further and Higher Education




Estate
Community
Teaching and learning
Research and development
Future…
 New energy reserves?
 Working together