Raising the Stakes in Durban, Hotline 12.5.11

Nearly 200 nations began global climate discussions on Monday, November 28, in Durban, South Africa. The talks are the last chance to establish legally binding greenhouse gas emissions targets before the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012. European Union (EU) climate negotiators have called for a global deal on climate change mitigation to be reached by 2015 and in place by 2020. The EU expressed willingness to recommit to the Kyoto Protocol, but stated that the protocol will be effective only if other nations such as Russia, Japan, and Canada participate. The success of climate negotiations in Durban also depends on the United States and China, the world’s two top emitters, but both nations have consistently refused to commit to binding climate goals.

The United Nations International Energy Agency says that current efforts of individual nations to mitigate climate change will not be enough to avoid a 2 degree Celsius rise in global average temperature. According to the agency, a comprehensive global treaty is necessary. The European Union, New Zealand, Australia, Norway and Switzerland may ratify a new deal on greenhouse gas emissions reductions in Durban, but the world’s top greenhouse gas emitters remain reluctant.

For additional information see: Reuters, Reuters (2nd Article), Associated Press, Wall Street Journal

According to a recent report by the United Nations Environment Program, the world already has the technology necessary to manage climate change effectively. Another recent report by Greenpeace International maintained that “we have the technology today to ensure a transition to a greener, safer, and more equitable economy.” Some strategies the United Nations Environment Program listed as effective ways to mitigate climate change include adopting renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, switching to more sustainable fuels, increasing public transportation and fuel-efficient vehicles, and effectively managing agricultural emissions and waste streams. The report stressed that all of these strategies are currently technologically and economically feasible, but international collaboration through forums such as the Durban talks are still necessary to help mitigate climate change.

For additional information see: Business Day, UNEP

According to a new report by the World Meteorological Organization, or WMO, 2011 was one of the hottest years on record, and the hottest year on record with a La Nina event. According to the preliminary data, 2011 is only 12 degrees cooler than 2010, the hottest year on record. However, 2011 was the hottest year starting with La Nina, an upwelling of cooler water in the Pacific Ocean, which affects the weather patterns and typically lowers the global average temperature by 0.1 to 0.15 degrees. The largest variation from the average temperature was recorded in Russia, where temperatures were 4 degrees Celsius warmer from January to October. The report stated that this rise in temperature is caused by human activity, and it suggests that the earth is “rapidly approaching” a 2 to 2.4 degrees Celsius rise in temperature that would render the impacts of climate change dire and irreversible. “There is a consistent patter of a changing climate, with the last decade warmer than the previous one, and that decade warmer than the one before,” said Peter Stott of the UK Met Office, which provides climate data to the WMO. “There’s clearly a warming trend . That’s supported by other indicators such as disappearing Arctic sea ice, melting glaciers, and rising sea levels.”

For additional information see: Bloomberg, Reuters, Wall Street Journal, WMO Press Release

China’s energy intensity—or the rate of energy consumption relative to gross domestic product—dropped 19.1 percent from 2005 levels in the past year. In the past five years, China has seen an 11.2 percent increase in economic growth, but an annual energy consumption increase of just 6.6 percent. Between 2006 and 2010, China reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 1.5 billion tons. According to a press release from a research team from the Institute of Global Low-carbon Economy, University of International Business and Economics, and the Social Sciences Academic Press, this reduction in carbon emissions is largely due to strict and effective energy policies, including efforts to shut down inefficient power plants and increasing the energy efficiency of the heating supply network.

For additional information see: Shanghai Daily

A strong and vocal majority of 108 Parties supported a plea by island nations to phase down HFCs, or super greenhouse gases, at the 23rd annual meeting of the Montreal Protocol ozone treaty. The meeting, which took place in Bali, Indonesia on November 21-25, featured efforts to cap the mission of HFCs by 2014, and reduce emissions by 15 percent every three years. The island nations’ proposal would provide climate mitigation equivalent to 100 billion tons of CO2 by 2050, many times more than the Kyoto Protocol. But a small group of Parties led by India and China asserted that HFCs can only be addressed under the climate treaty and blocked the start of formal negotiations, delaying action for at least another year. “China and India need to show they can be leaders rather than laggards blocking island efforts to survive,” IGSD President Durwood Zaelke said. “China and India owe it to the world to support this unique opportunity under the Montreal Protocol to protect the climate.”

For additional information see: Washington Post, Sustainable Business

A new UNEP policy report details how fast action to reduce non-CO2 short-lived climate forcers (SLCF) represents a “win-win” for climate mitigation, public health, and food security, with benefits that justify action regardless of climate change policy. The report provides policy pathways to implement SLCF control measures, building upon existing institutions, policies, and regulatory frameworks. If action is taken now, such cuts can reduce the rate of overall global warming in half, and by two-thirds in the Arctic over the next 30-60 years. “The scientific case for fast action on these so-called ‘Short-Lived Climate Forcers’ has been steadily built over more than a decade,” said Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director. “UNEP has shown us the tools to fight back against near-term climate change and protect the most vulnerable people and places from the worst impacts of climate change,” said Durwood Zaelke, President of the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development.

For additional information see: UNEP Report, UNEP News Centre, The Guardian

Institutional investors will now have a chance to hold segregated accounts that invest in fixed income instruments raising financing for projects that address climate change. The Climate Bonds Initiative, introduced by State Street Global Advisors, will help with the goal of raising the estimated $1 trillion per year in investments needed by 2050 to effectively mitigate climate change. One of the key components of the Green Bond Initiative is a certification system that investors can use as a screening tool. Previously, many institutional investors were wary of climate change funds due to the lack of investment-grade green bonds and the small size and lack of liquidity of the market. About $12 billion worth of bonds from development banks and other international organizations have been issued so far.

For additional information see: New York Times

A recent study by an international team of scientists lead by Andreas Schmittner of Oregon State University suggests that the impacts of climate change are not likely to be as extreme as previous studies project. Scientists predicted that a doubling of carbon dioxide (CO2) would cause a temperature rise of 1.7 degrees Celsius to 2.6 degrees Celsius. Using a computer model to formulate projections, researchers analyzed paleoclimate data that extends back 21,000 years, projecting that the temperature and sea level changes will not be as severe as the more pessimistic range of estimates presented by the 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The authors of the study stressed that global warming is a serious issue and that there will be considerable climatic impacts as a result of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide.
In related news, a recent statement by a leading energy expert from the International Energy Agency (IEA) suggested that current global energy consumption levels could cause a temperature change of up to 6 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. According to the IEA’s analysis, current rates of fossil fuel consumption will lead to a two degree rise in temperature that will lead to irreversible changes to the earth’s climate systems, eventually causing a six degree Celsius rise in temperature.

For additional information see: Science Daily, BBC, Abstract

The American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) will host Phase II: Renewable Energy in America National Policy Forum. This policy forum will explore the key policy issues related to increasing private investment in and use of renewable energy in both the electricity and transportation sectors. The opening reception will take place on December 6 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Folger Shakespeare Library, located at 201 E Capitol St SE, Washington, DC 20003. The forum will take place on December 7 from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM at the Cannon Caucus Room, in the Cannon House Office Building.

For additional information Click Here,To pre-register, Click Here.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) will host a briefing on the growing cooperative relationship between U.S. utilities and the Canadian hydroelectric industry. Hydropower is a proven technology, with a history of reliability and affordability. In addition, hydropower can store energy, it can respond to fluctuating demands for electricity and, therefore, can be a backstop source to more intermittent U.S. resources like wind and solar.

Speakers at this event will include:
• Ambassador Gary Doer, Canada’s Ambassador to the United States, introductory remarks and overview
• David McMillan, Executive Vice President, Minnesota Power, “International Renewable Energy Partnerships”
• Ed Wojczynski, Manitoba Hydro and Chair, Canadian Hydropower Association, “Building our Future: Connecting North American Hydro and Other Renewables”
• Jim Robb, Senior Vice President of Planning and Development, Northeast Utilities, “Quebec and New England: A Growing Energy Partnership”

This briefing was organized with support from Manitoba Hydro, Hydro Quebec, the Embassy of Canada, the Government of Manitoba and the Government of Quebec. The briefing will be held Wednesday, December 7, 2011, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM in Room SVC 201/200 of the Capitol Visitor’s Center. This event is free and open to the public. No RSVP required. For more information, contact Clare Cooper at ccooper [at] eesi.org or (202) 662-1884.

For additional information Click Here.

EESI’s work, including this free newsletter, is made possible by financial support from people like you. Please help us continue to make it available by making a secure, online donation today by clicking here or mailing a check to Environmental and Energy Study Institute; 1112 16th St NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036. Please contact Susan Williams at (202) 662-1887  or see www.eesi.org/donate to find out more. Thank you for your support!