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