The Kyoto protocol
Nov 15, 2007
<b>Canada</b><br><br>On December 17, 2002, Canada ratified the Kyoto Protocol requiring it to reduce emissions to 6% below 1990 levels. Despite strong public support, there was still some opposition, particularly by some business groups and energy concerns. In particular, there was a fear that sin
Canada
On December 17, 2002, Canada ratified the Kyoto Protocol requiring it to reduce emissions to 6% below 1990 levels. Despite strong public support, there was still some opposition, particularly by some business groups and energy concerns. In particular, there was a fear that since US companies would not be affected by the Kyoto Protocol, Canadian companies would be at a disadvantage in terms of trade.
In 2005, the result was limited to an ongoing "war of words", primarily between the government of Alberta, Canada's primary oil and gas producer, and the federal government. There were even fears that Kyoto could threaten national unity. As of 2003, the federal government claimed to have spent or committed $3.7 billion on climate change programmes. By 2004, CO2 emissions had risen to 27% above 1990 levels.
In January 2006, a Conservative minority government under Stephen Harper which announced that Canada would have no chance of meeting its targets under Kyoto and that environmental funding had been cut.
United Kingdom
The energy policy of the United Kingdom fully endorses goals for emissions reduction and has committed to proportionate reduction on a phased basis.
In March 2007, a draft Climate Change Bill was published, aimed the bill aimed at cutting the UK’s carbon emissions with 60% by 2050 compared to the 1990 levels, with a target of between 26% and 32% by 2020.
If approved, the United Kingdom is likely to become the first country to set such a long-range and significant carbon reduction target into law.
Although the UK's overall greenhouse gas emissions have fallen, annual net carbon dioxide emissions have risen by around 2% since The Labour Party came to power in 1997. As a result it now seems highly unlikely that the Government will be able to honour its manifesto pledge to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 20% from 1990 levels by the year 2010, unless drastic action is taken under after the passing of the Climate Change Bill.
Australia
Because Australia is one of the biggest emitters on a per capita basis, albeit the lowest on a per square kilometre basis due to low overall population density, the country was granted a limitation of an 8% increase. The Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, has declined to ratify the Kyoto Agreement arguing that the protocol would cost Australians jobs due to countries with booming economies and massive populations such as China and India not having any reduction obligations. Industrial growth within China is expected to increase pollution within 9 months, he argues, and even if Australia were to shut down all of its coal fired power stations it would not negate this increase. Further, Howard takes the view that Australia is already doing enough to cut emissions; the Australian government has recently pledged $300 million over the next three years to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Analysis has projected Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions at 109% of the 1990 emissions level over the period 2008–12. This is slightly above its 108% Kyoto Protocol limitation.
On December 17, 2002, Canada ratified the Kyoto Protocol requiring it to reduce emissions to 6% below 1990 levels. Despite strong public support, there was still some opposition, particularly by some business groups and energy concerns. In particular, there was a fear that since US companies would not be affected by the Kyoto Protocol, Canadian companies would be at a disadvantage in terms of trade.
In 2005, the result was limited to an ongoing "war of words", primarily between the government of Alberta, Canada's primary oil and gas producer, and the federal government. There were even fears that Kyoto could threaten national unity. As of 2003, the federal government claimed to have spent or committed $3.7 billion on climate change programmes. By 2004, CO2 emissions had risen to 27% above 1990 levels.
In January 2006, a Conservative minority government under Stephen Harper which announced that Canada would have no chance of meeting its targets under Kyoto and that environmental funding had been cut.
United Kingdom
The energy policy of the United Kingdom fully endorses goals for emissions reduction and has committed to proportionate reduction on a phased basis.
In March 2007, a draft Climate Change Bill was published, aimed the bill aimed at cutting the UK’s carbon emissions with 60% by 2050 compared to the 1990 levels, with a target of between 26% and 32% by 2020.
If approved, the United Kingdom is likely to become the first country to set such a long-range and significant carbon reduction target into law.
Although the UK's overall greenhouse gas emissions have fallen, annual net carbon dioxide emissions have risen by around 2% since The Labour Party came to power in 1997. As a result it now seems highly unlikely that the Government will be able to honour its manifesto pledge to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 20% from 1990 levels by the year 2010, unless drastic action is taken under after the passing of the Climate Change Bill.
Australia
Because Australia is one of the biggest emitters on a per capita basis, albeit the lowest on a per square kilometre basis due to low overall population density, the country was granted a limitation of an 8% increase. The Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, has declined to ratify the Kyoto Agreement arguing that the protocol would cost Australians jobs due to countries with booming economies and massive populations such as China and India not having any reduction obligations. Industrial growth within China is expected to increase pollution within 9 months, he argues, and even if Australia were to shut down all of its coal fired power stations it would not negate this increase. Further, Howard takes the view that Australia is already doing enough to cut emissions; the Australian government has recently pledged $300 million over the next three years to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Analysis has projected Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions at 109% of the 1990 emissions level over the period 2008–12. This is slightly above its 108% Kyoto Protocol limitation.