Basic Climate Change Science, Human Response and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Prepared for the National Workshop on Capacity Development for the Clean Development Mechanism

(CD4CDM)

26-27 March 2003, Sunway Hotel, Phnom Penh

by Mr. Chea Chan Thou,

Member of the National Technical Committee for Climate Change

Content of the Presentation

I. Greenhouse Effect

II. Climate Change Impacts

III. Human Response and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

IV. Cambodia’s Activities Related to Climate Change

V. Summary

I. Greenhouse Effect (1)

Greenhouse effect is a natural geophysical process, it allows us to exist on earth

The gases known as greenhouse gases are naturally found in the atmosphere are: water, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxide, ozone, and cloroflurocarbons

These gases trap heat close to the earth’s surface Without the greenhouse effect, the earth’s surface

temperature would be –180oC The natural greenhouse effect warms the temperature of

the atmosphere to 15 oC at the Earth’s surface This natural warming allows water to exist on the Earth’s

surface, the basis of life supports

I. Greenhouse Effect (2)

I. Greenhouse Effect (3) Emissions from human activities are increasing the

concentration of atmospheric GHGs Enhanced greenhouse effect occurs due to

atmospheric buildup of GHGs that are released by human activities

The main sources of GHG emissions are: Burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) Mining activities Industrial activities Food production activities Burning and exploiting forests Land use change Waste management

I. Greenhouse Effect (4)

II. Climate Change Impacts (1)

Potential climate change impacts include: Agriculture, forestry and fisheries, Human and animal health Water resources Coastal areas Species and natural areas.

II. Climate Change Impacts (2)

III. Human Response and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (1)

The First World Climate Conference recognized climate change as a serious problem in 1979

A number of intergovernmental conferences focusing on climate change were held in the late 1980s and early 1990s

In 1990 IPCC (Panel of 2,500 scientists) released its first assessment report concluding that

Climate change is real and human activities are contributing

III. Human Response and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (2)

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is a foundation of global efforts to combat global warming.

The UNFCCC Objective is “Stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous antropogenic human-induced interference with climate system. Such a level should be achieved within a time-frame sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is not threatened and to

enable economic development proceed in a sustainable manner”. The Convention sets out some guiding principles:

Precautionary principle; Principle “Common but differentiated responsibilities”; Needs of developing countries for sustainable

development.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was signed by 154 countries (plus the EC) in 1992 at Rio de Janeiro. To date, 186 countries have ratified the Convention

The Convention entered into force on 21 March 1994 The Conference of the Parties (CoP) held its first

session in Berlin ( Germany) in 1995 The Parties meet every year (CoP), this year will be in

Italy The CoP-3 in Kyoto (Japan) in 1997 established the

Kyoto Protocol

III. Human Response and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (3)

III. Human Response and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (4)

Both developed and developing countries accepted a number of general commitments: National communications containing inventory of

greenhouse gas emissions and sinks Climate change mitigation national programs Strategies for adapting to climate change Promote technology transfer and the sustainable

management, conservation, and enhancement of sinks Take climate change into account in their relevant policies Cooperate in scientific, technical and education matters Promote education, public awareness, and exchange of

information related to climate change.

III. Human Response and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (5)

III. Human Response and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (6)

Industrialized countries undertake several other specific commitments

The richest countries shall provide “new and additional resources” and facilitate technology transfer

A financial mechanism provides funds on a grant basis

IV. Cambodia’s Activities Related to Climate Change (1)

Cambodia ratified the UNFCCC on 18 December 1995, and the UNFCCC entered into force on 17 March 1996

In August 1998, Cambodia and UNDP/GEF signed the project document named “Enabling Cambodia to Prepare its First National Communication in response to the UNFCCC (Cambodia’s Climate Change Enabling Activity Project: CCEAP)

CCEAP is the first climate change-related project implemented in Cambodia with the aim of preparation of the first National Communication

The Ministry of Environment is the National Focal Point of the UNFCCC and the implementing agency of the CCEAP

IV. Cambodia’s Activities Related to Climate Change (2) The project has produced a number of significant

outputs: National GHG inventory for 1994; GHGs mitigation analysis in energy and transport, land

use- land use change and forestry, and agriculture sector; Vulnerability and adaptation assessment to climate

change in Cambodia; Cambodia’s Initial National Communication; Improvement of activity data and emission factors for

forestry sector in Cambodia; Assessment of GHGs mitigation technologies in

Cambodia; and Establishment of the project website:

www.camclimate.org.kh

V. Summary Human activities are increasing the concentration of GHGs in the

atmosphere The increase of GHG concentration will lead to unprecedented

increase in average global temperature Rising temperature are predicted to lead to disruptions in climate

patterns, have adverse impacts on food supply, fresh water resources, human health, coastal areas, species and natural areas

The international community has worked together to create an agreement on how to address climate change known as the UNFCCC

The Convention is a United Nations agreement to stabilize greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, at a level that would prevent dangerous changes to the climate

To date, 186 countries have ratified the climate change convention, including Cambodia

The Kyoto Protocol is the first concrete step toward cutting GHG emissions