International response

International response Using specific examples, evaluate the International responses to reduce global warming.        [6] Introduction : There are International responses setup to reduce global warming, mainly the Kyoto protocol and Copenhagen conference. This essay will discuss its effectiveness. ·        Point – The Kyoto protocol was set up with the goal of reducing the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere on 11 Dec 1997 and came into force on 16 Feb 2005. ·        Elaborate – Many countries came together to sign the Protocol to come up with measures to address climate change. These countries were obliged to reduce their combined greenhouse gas emissions by at least 5% below their 1990 levels Example – Many countries have met /exceeded their targets set by the Kyoto Protocol, such as Finland, Greece, Iceland. Countries were required to monitor and report their greenhouse gas emissions, helping to ensure that they were on track in keeping to their emission targets Limitation - On the whole, the Protocol has limited impacts on global greenhouse gas emissions. This is because countries which did not sign the Protocol contribute significantly to the global emissions. Since 1997, the global emissions have increased by 35%. A large portion of the increase came from China, India and USA Point - In 2009, Copenhagen hosted a UN Climate Change Conference. The purpose of the conference was to improve on the measures developed for the Kyoto Protocol to deal with the issue of climate change

Elaborate – Targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions were successfully set during the conference  to keep increases in the global mean maximum temperatures to within 2 deg C of the global temperatures.

Example – Developed countries agreed to provide a total of US$30b to less developed countries between 2010 and 2012 and provide long term financial aid of US$100b a year by 2020. The funds will help LDCs to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions

Limitation -  There was no agreement made on how the reduction of greenhouse gases is to be carried out, making it difficult for countries to carry out any action. Many DCs have refused to sign the Accord, hence it is not legally binding. The targets set by various countries to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases were a guideline rather than a condition that must be fulfilled. Thus, many countries did not keep to their targets

Conclusion: The International agreements are only successful to a certain extent in reducing global warming. Countries should do their part to control the release of greenhouses gases by enforcing strict regulations on industries.


Resource pack

Assess the international agreements that have been implemented to address global warming [6] International agreements Kyoto protocol ·        An international convention set up with the goal of reducing the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere ·        The protocol was first drawn up in Kyoto on 11 Dec 1997 and came into force on 16 Feb 2005 ·        Many countries came together to sign the Protocol to come up with measures to address climate change and put them into practice ·        Under the protocol, various targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions were set for participating countries ·        However greater responsibility to reduce greenhouse gas emissions was placed on 37 developed countries & European countries ·        From 2008 to 2012, these countries were obliged to reduce their combined greenhouse gas emissions by at least 5% below their 1990 levels ·        Success: ·        Many countries have met /exceeded their targets set by the Kyoto Protocol, such as Finland, Greece, Iceland. Countries were required to monitor and report their greenhouse gas emissions, helping to ensure that they were on track in keeping to their emission targets ·        The Protocol was also successful in encouraging sustainable development ·        Certified Emission Reduction (CER) credits were given to countries which carried out emission –reduction projects (e.g. installing energy-efficient infrastructure) in LDCs. Each credit is equivalent to one tonne of carbon dioxide ·        CDM not only encouraged sustainable development , but also helped DCs to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions when they take on emission- reduction projects in LDCs ·        Limitations: ·        There were still some countries such as Austria, Spain and Denmark that did not achieve their targets ·        The Protocol does not make it compulsory for the countries with low greenhouse gas emissions to provide support to other countries with high greenhouse gas emissions ·        Hence countries with high greenhouse gas emissions may not be able to achieve their emission targets as easily ·        On the whole, the Protocol has limited impacts on global greenhouse gas emissions. This is because countries which did not sign the Protocol contribute significantly to the global emissions ·        Since 1997, the global emissions have increased by 35%. A large portion of the increase came from China, India and USA Copenhagen Conference ·        In 2009, Copenhagen hosted a UN Climate Change Conference. The purpose of the conference was to improve on the measures developed for the Kyoto Protocol to deal with the issue of climate change ·        The Copenhagen Accord was drawn up during the conference. It is an international agreement with the long term goal of keeping any increases in the global mean maximum temperatures to within 2 deg C of the global temperatures before 1850 ·        Success: ·        It successfully brought together a group of important political figures to discuss the measures that will address the issue of climate change effectively ·        Targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions were successfully set during the conference ·        DCs agreed to provide a total of US$30b to LDCs between 2010 and 2012 and provide long term financial aid of US$100b a year by 2020. The funds will help LDCs to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions ·        Limitations: ·        The targets set are insufficient to reduce emissions to within 2 deg C of the temperatures before 1850 ·        Moreover, there was no agreement made on how the reduction of greenhouse gases is to be carried out, making it difficult for countries to carry out any action. ·        Many DCs have refused to sign the Accord, hence it is not legally binding ·        The targets set by various countries to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases were a guideline rather than a condition that must be fulfilled. Thus, many countries did not keep to their targets