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Can a Copenhagen Protocol be Effective and Fair?

Can a Copenhagen Protocol be Effective and Fair?. Prof. Svitlana Kravchenko JELL Symposium September 11, 2009. Where are we now?. “Business as usual” is unacceptable: temperatures increase by 5 o C (9 o F) by 2100 IV PCC Report set 450 ppm as target

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Can a Copenhagen Protocol be Effective and Fair?

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  1. Can a Copenhagen Protocol be Effective and Fair? Prof. Svitlana Kravchenko JELL Symposium September 11, 2009

  2. Where are we now? • “Business as usual” is unacceptable: temperatures increase by 5o C (9oF) by 2100 • IV PCC Report set 450 ppm as target • Leading scientists now say 350 ppm is the limit • We have already passed 350 ppm (385) • Only international consensus can lead to joint, effective action

  3. Bali Action Plan • Framework for negotiation – 2007 • U.S. rejected it, then accepted • Annex I parties are to agree on GHG cuts • U.S. refused to commit to any negotiations under Kyoto Protocol unless other major economies did • China and India would not commit unless developed counties did (40% by 2020) • But possible new bilateral agreement between U.S. and China this November

  4. Two-track approach • 1st: New treaty and second commitment under the Kyoto Protocol • AWG-KP: Annex I parties’ emission reductions beyond the 1st commitment period ending in 2012 including • LULUCF and the flexibility mechanisms • 2nd: Consultations on Long-term Cooperative Action (AWG LTC) • Most recent meeting in Bonn, 10-14 August 2009 • Next meeting in Bangkok October 2009

  5. Road to Copenhagen • The 199-page Negotiating Text covers the key elements of the Bali Action Plan • a shared vision for long-term cooperative action, • mitigation, • adaptation and finance, • technology transfer and capacity building

  6. A long-term global goal for emission reductions • Based on science • Deep cuts in global emissions required to achieve the ultimate objective of the Convention •  Stabilization of GHG concentrations in the atmosphere below 450 {350} ppm • Temperature increase limited to below 2.0 {1.5} o C (4o F)

  7. For implementing this goal: • Parties should reduce global GHG emissions by at least 50 {71-85} % from 1990 levels by 2050. But how? • Developed countries: reduce by 20-40% from 1990 levels by 2020 ; 75-95% by 2050 • Developing countries: “deviate from baselines” (BAU?) by 15-30% by 2020 if supported by developed countries [and 25% from 2000 levels by 2050]

  8. Which scenario is “fair”? • All countries reduce current emissions dramatically • Would freeze economic development and increase disparity in the world

  9. Which scenario is “fair”? • Reduce according to historical emissions (for last 150 years)? • Actions by uninformed ancestors would lead to heaviest duties for the present generation

  10. Which scenario is “fair”? • All countries reduce to equal per capita emission levels? • Theoretically fair but politically unrealistic

  11. How should North and South share the atmosphere?

  12. Fairness of commitments • Commitments only for developed countries? • Developed are responsible for 72% of historical CO2 emissions • they have capabilities; • per capita emissions are much higher • Should developing countries have commitments? • In 2020 GHG emissions of developing countries will exceed emissions of developed countries

  13. Negotiation text • Does the pace of commitments respond to: • intergenerational equity or fairness to future generations? • Should we let future generations solve the problem we created? • Is it fair? Do we have legal and ethical obligations?

  14. U.N. Human Rights Council • On 25 March 2009, adopted Resolution “Human rights and climate change” recognizing that: • “climate change-related impacts have implications, for the enjoyment of humanrights… (right to life, the right to adequate food, the right tohealth, the right to adequate housing, the right to self-determination right to safe drinking water”)

  15. UN HRC Resolution • And OHCHR study and a summary of the Council’s discussions will be made available to COP-15 for its consideration • But will that have any impact on negotiations?

  16. Are human rights issues addressed in the negotiation? • Almost nothing in negotiating text • Under mitigation: “Indigenous peoplesand local communities shall be involved in implementation of actions and their rights respected” • To remove barriers to development and transfer of technology arising from the intellectual property rights

  17. International human rights standards serve as a guide for measures to tackle climate change, underscoring the fundamental moral and legal obligations to protect and promote full enjoyment of the rights

  18. Conclusions • Climate change is not only about corals reefs or polar bears, it is about human rights and people’s survival • Fairness and equity are human rights issues • They have to be reflected in Negotiation Text • Commitments should be enforceable through human rights mechanisms and courts

  19. Can we travel the road • to prepare a good Negotiation Text? • to reach a global consensus? • to sign a fair and effective treaty in December 2009 in Copenhagen?

  20. Not much time left Copenhagen 2009 Copenhagen 2050?

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