Kyoto Protocol
Why is the Kyoto Protocol of interest to our industry? Mike Malina explains.
In response to increasing concerns about climate change, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was agreed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The ultimate aim of the Convention was to stabilise greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at a level that would avoid dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.
It was quickly recognised that the UNFCCC could only be a first step in the international response to climate change. Climate prediction models show that deeper cuts in emissions are required to prevent serious interference with the climate. The Kyoto Protocol (KP), agreed in December 1997, was designed to address this issue.
In response to increasing concerns about climate change, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was agreed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The ultimate aim of the Convention was to stabilise greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at a level that would avoid dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.
It was quickly recognised that the UNFCCC could only be a first step in the international response to climate change. Climate prediction models show that deeper cuts in emissions are required to prevent serious interference with the climate. The Kyoto Protocol (KP), agreed in December 1997, was designed to address this issue.
The KP is an international treaty that sets targets to cut climate changing emissions to below 1990 levels. The KP represents a crucial first step in the world's fight to stop climate change. Through the KP, the world has agreed to cut the deadly greenhouse gas emissions that are causing climate change. The commitments agreed to should, according to the KP, lead to an overall global reduction of at least 5.2% from 1990 levels of greenhouse gases by 2008-2012.
The UK signed the KP in December 1993. Russia ratified the KP in November 2004 and on the 16th February 2005 the KP became international law. The UK is now obliged to meet the requirements of the KP along with another 150 countries, accounting for 55% of greenhouse gas emissions on planet Earth.
Under the Kyoto Protocol (KP), the European Union (EU) and its Member States have agreed to meet a joint target of 8% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels by 2012. This 'bubble' arrangement allows the EU's target to be redistributed between member states (MS) to reflect their national circumstances, requirements for economic growth, and the scope for further emission reductions.
In June 1998, under the UK Presidency of the EU, environment ministers agreed how the target should be shared out. The UK agreed to reduce its emissions by 12.5%, which is its legally binding target under the KP.
Targets for other MS's ranged from 21% for Germany & Denmark, to 6% for the Netherlands, 13% for Ireland and 27% for Portugal.
Most developed countries believe that the targets they agreed at Kyoto are demanding. In many cases, their emissions are forecast to be significantly higher than 1990 levels in 2010. Environmental ministers believe significant programmes of action will be required.
The UK government has released various documents aimed at cutting our CO2 emissions in response to the Protocol and which are now having a major influence on the m&e sector including:
Energy White Paper: 'Our Energy Future - Creating a Low Carbon Economy' (2002),
The UK Climate Change Programme (2006)
and most recently the STERN Report.
The European Parliament produced The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive for member states.
The UK government released a revision to Part L of the Building Regulations to satisfy the requirements of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). For more information click here for Quick Guide to Essential Papers.