Climate change introduction
Hugh Muschamp
12 February 2008
Outline of this first session
1. Case for climate change2. Background on climate change- Mitigation- Adaptation3. 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 reducinggreenhouse gas emissions
Adaptation to climate change
respond to the predicted impacts ofunavoidable climate change
Mitigation - the carbon equivellent
Greenhouse gas Global Warming Potential GWP
Carbon dioxide CO2 1
Methane CH4 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 launchingNovember 2008
www.sccip.org.ukScottish climate change impactspartnership
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
2 weeksearly
Bluebell Dog violet
1 weekearly
Courtesy:Prof. Fred Last,Longniddry
Celandine
Winter aconite
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 throughcost effective measures
Category Date of introductionConstruction 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