Image of the globeWhat is being done globally?


Evidence shows that it is developed countries including the United States of America (USA), the UK, the Russian Federation and Japan who are contributing most in terms of GHG emissions per head [see references 63 and 64] (see Table 2). It is predicted that in the future, emissions from developing countries will grow significantly faster than developed countries, due to their rapid population and GDP growth. This will be the case particularly in the larger economies of China, India and Brazil. [see reference 63]

Table 2: Total GHG emissions for 2004 (excludes land use change) [see reference 64]

Country

Millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide (MtCO2)

% of world total

Tons of CO2 per person per annum

USA

5,888.7

19.8%

20.1

China

5,204.8

17.5%

4.0

European Union

4,017.1

13.5%

8.8

Russian Federation

1,575.3

5.3%

11.0

Japan

1,304.2

4.4%

10.2

India

1,199.0

4.0%

1.1

Germany

856.6

2.9%

10.4

UK

551.3

1.9%

9.2

While there are a number of international agreements and action plans already in place (see below), climate change is a global problem that requires an unprecedented level of international co-operation and strong leadership. In particular urgent action on the part of high-emission countries is needed in order to avert the significant impacts and costs resulting from insufficient measures and inaction.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
The IPCC is a scientific intergovernmental body set up by the WMO and by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1988. The role of the IPCC is to ’assess on a comprehensive, objective, open and transparent basis the scientific, technical and socio-economic information relevant to understanding the scientific basis of risk of human-induced climate change, its potential impacts and options for adaptation and mitigation.’ [see reference 65] As a means of achieving its role, the IPCC has published Assessment reports on climate change, most recently completing its Fourth Assessment Report in November 2007.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
The Convention on Climate Change sets an overall framework for intergovernmental efforts to combat the challenges presented by climate change. The convention – which came into force on 21 March 1994 – has close to universal membership, with 192 countries having ratified. [see reference 66] Under the Convention, governments:
  • gather and share information on GHG emissions, national policies and best practices
  • launch national strategies for addressing GHG emissions and adapting to expected impacts, including the provision of financial and technological support to developing countries
  • cooperate in preparing for adaptation to the impacts of climate change. [see reference 66]
Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol was adopted at the third Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP 3) in Kyoto, Japan, on 11 December 1997. The Protocol, which came into effect on 16 February 2005, [see reference 67] has the same objective and institutions as the Convention; however, unlike the Convention, it is a legally binding treaty. The Protocol requires developed countries to reduce their GHG emissions below specified levels within a five-year time frame between 2008 and 2012. Developing countries which have ratified the Protocol currently have no obligation beyond monitoring and reporting emissions. The Protocol places a heavier burden on developed nations because they can more easily pay the cost of cutting emissions, and have historically contributed more to the problem by emitting larger amounts of GHGs per person than in developing countries.

The Kyoto protocol will have effects on virtually all major sectors of the economy, and is therefore considered to be the most far-reaching agreement on environment and sustainable development. Most of the world’s countries have agreed to the Protocol, but some nations, (most notably the USA) have not ratified. Many USA cities however, have passed legislation to meet Kyoto standards. [see reference 68] Sweden has pledged to become the world’s first oil free economy by 2020. [see reference 69] Further information on the Kyoto Protocol and international emissions targets can be found at http://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol/items/2830.php

New Delhi declaration (India and United Kingdom: Partnership for a better and safer world)
The New Delhi declaration was signed on 6 January 2002. The declaration covers a range of important areas including international efforts to promote sustainable development, including the protection of the environment and commitments to reduce carbon emissions.

The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali
The conference took place in December 2007 and brought together more than 10,000 participants, including representatives of over 180 countries together with observers from intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and the media. The conference culminated in the adoption of the Bali Roadmap, which consists of a number of forward-looking decisions to reach a secure climate future. The Bali Roadmap includes the Bali Action Plan, which charts the course for a new negotiating process designed to tackle climate change, with the aim of completing this by 2009.

World Health Day 2008: protecting health from climate change
For 2008, the WHO has selected “protecting health from climate change” as the theme for ‘World Health Day’ (7 April). This theme has been selected in recognition that climate change is posing ever growing threats to global public health security. Through this the WHO aims to highlight the importance of increased global collaboration efforts including strengthening surveillance and control of infectious diseases, ensuring safer use of diminishing water supplies, and coordinating health action in emergencies. The WHO have a toolkit that is intended to assist in planning activities for World Health Day 2008. This provides information on how different sectors – including individuals, institutions, organizations, or government agencies involved in public health from the local to international level – can play a role in the celebrations. Further information on the toolkit can be found at www.who.int/world-health-day/toolkit/en/

Work of the European Commission
The European Commission has been responsible for a number of initiatives to combat climate change, since 1991 when it issued the first community strategy to limit CO2 emissions and improve energy efficiency. In June 2000 the Commission launched the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP). The aim of the ECCP is to identify and develop all the necessary elements of an EU strategy to implement the Kyoto Protocol. The Second European Climate Change Programme (ECCP II) was launched in October 2005. Information on the first and second ECCP can be found at http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/eccp.htm

The European Commission has taken action in reducing carbon emissions. In January 2005 the European Union Greenhouse Gas Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS) commenced operation as the largest multi-country, multi-sector GHG emission trading scheme world-wide. Information on this scheme can be found at http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/emission.htm

Another measure being considered by the European Commission is CCS. This is a method of trapping CO2 as it is emitted from large point sources. It is then compressed, transported to an appropriate storage site and injected into the ground. [see reference 70] This process has potential as a mitigation technique in combating climate change. Work in the EU is currently focusing on an enabling legal framework, which the Commission plans to propose by the end of 2007, addressing the environmental integrity of the technique and other deployment matters. A public consultation on this policy is currently underway.

A more detailed account of all the work and strategies been developed and carried out by the European Commission in regards to climate change can be found at http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/home_en.htm

Further sources of information:

© British Medical Association 2008

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