Carbon Emission

<–2/”>a >Carbon dioxide (CO2) makes up the largest share of “greenhouse gases”. The addition of man-made greenhouse gases to the Atmosphere disturbs the earth’s radiative balance. This is leading to an increase in the earth’s surface temperature and to related effects on Climate, sea level rise and world agriculture.

The primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions are:

Transportation  – The transportation sector generates the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions from transportation primarily come from burning fossil fuel for our cars, trucks, ships, trains, and planes. Over 90 percent of the fuel used for transportation is petroleum based, which includes gasoline and diesel.
Electricity production  – Electricity production generates the second largest share of greenhouse gas emissions. Most of our electricity comes from burning fossil fuels, mostly coal and natural gas.
Industry – Greenhouse gas emissions from industry primarily come from burning fossil fuels for energy, as well as greenhouse gas emissions from certain chemical reactions necessary to produce goods from raw materials.
Commercial and Residential  – Greenhouse gas emissions from businesses and homes arise primarily from fossil fuels burned for heat, the use of certain products that contain greenhouse gases, and the handling of waste.
Agriculture  – Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture come from Livestock such as cows, agricultural soils, and rice production.
Land Use and Forestry  – Land areas can act as a sink (absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere) or a source of greenhouse gas emissions.

The Kyoto Protocol has put in place three flexibility mechanisms to reduce emission of Green House Gases. Although the Protocol places maximum responsibility of reducing emissions on the developed countries by committing them to specific emission targets, the three mechanisms are based on the premise that reduction of emissions in any part of the globe will have the same desired effect on the atmosphere, and also that some developed countries might find it easier and more cost effective to support emissions reductions in other developed or dev

developing countries rather than at home. These mechanisms thus provide flexibility to the Annexure I countries, helping them to meet their emission reduction obligations. Let us take a look at what these mechanisms are.

What are the three flexibility mechanisms put in place of the Kyoto Protocol for reducing GHG emission?

• The three mechanisms are joint implementation. Emissions Trading and Clean Development

What is Joint Implementation?

• Through the Joint Implementation, any Annex I country can invest in emission reduction projects (referred to as joint Implementation Project) in any other Annex I country as an alternative to reducing emissions domestically.
• Two early examples are change from a wet to a dry process at a Ukraine cement works, reducing energy consumption by 53 percent by 2008-2012; and rehabilitation of a Bulgarian hydropower project, with a 267,000 ton reduction of C02 equivalent during 2008-2012.

  

What is Clean Development mechanism?

• The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) allows-‘l developed country with an emission reduction or emission-limitation commitment under the Kyoto Protocol to implement an emission reduction project in developing countries as an alternative to more expensive emission reductions in their own countries. In exchange for the amount of reduction In emission thus achieved, the investing gets carbon credits which it can offset against its Kyoto targets. The developing country gains a Step towards Sustainable Development.
• To get a CDM project registered and implemented, the investing country’ has to first take approval from the designated national authority in the host country, establish “Additionally”, define baselines and get the project validated by a third party agency, called a Designated Operational Entity (DOE).The Executive Body of CDM registers the project and issues credits, called Certified Emission Reductions (CERs), or carbon credits, where each unit is equivalent to the reduction of one metric tonne of. C02 or its equivalent. There are more than 4200 CDM projects in the pipeline as on 14.3.2010. The expected CERs till the end of2012 is 2,900,000,000

What is “Additionality” in a CDM project ?

• The feature of “additionality” is a crucial element of a CDM project it means that the industrialized country that is seeking to establish the CDM project in the developing country and earns carbon credits from it has to establish that the planned carbon reductions would not have occurred on its own, in the absence of the CDM project. They have to establish a baseline of the project. Which is the emission level that would have been there in the absence of the project. The difference between this baseline level and the (lower) emission level achieved as a result of the project is the Carbon Credit due to the investing country

What are some of the concerns regarding CDM ?

• The risk of “false Credits” is a cause for concern with regard to CDM projects. If a project does not actually offer an additionally and the reduction in emission would have happened anyway Even without the project.

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Carbon emissions are a major contributor to Climate Change, and reducing them is essential to protecting our planet. There are a number of ways to reduce carbon emissions, including:

• Carbon footprint: A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by an individual, organization, or product. You can reduce your carbon footprint by making changes to your lifestyle, such as driving less, using less energy in your home, and eating less meat.
• Carbon offset: A carbon offset is a way to compensate for your carbon emissions by funding projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions elsewhere. For example, you could offset your flight emissions by donating to a project that Plants trees.
• Carbon Tax: A carbon tax is a fee that is placed on the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas. This tax encourages people to use less of these fuels, which reduces carbon emissions.
• Carbon capture and storage: Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a technology that captures carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and other industrial sources and stores them underground. This helps to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
• Clean energy: Clean energy is energy that does not produce greenhouse gas emissions. Examples of clean energy include solar, wind, and hydropower.
• Climate change: Climate change is the long-term change in the Earth’s climate. It is caused by the emission of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere. Climate change is causing the Earth’s temperature to rise, which is leading to a number of changes, such as more extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and melting Glaciers.
• Deforestation: Deforestation is the clearing of forests for other uses, such as agriculture or development. Deforestation releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which contributes to climate change.
• Emissions trading: Emissions trading is a system that allows companies to trade emissions allowances. This system helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by creating a market for emissions reductions.
• Fossil fuels: Fossil fuels are fuels that are formed from the remains of ancient organisms. Examples of fossil fuels include coal, oil, and natural gas. Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which contributes to climate change.
• Greenhouse gas: A greenhouse gas is a gas that traps heat in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. Greenhouse gases are the main cause of climate change.
• RENEWABLE ENERGY: Renewable energy is energy that comes from sources that are naturally replenished, such as sunlight, wind, and water. Renewable energy does not produce greenhouse gas emissions, and it is a sustainable Source Of Energy.
• Sustainable development: Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable development includes Economic Development, social development, and environmental protection.
• Transportation: Transportation is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. The transportation sector is responsible for about 29% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Transportation emissions can be reduced by using more fuel-efficient vehicles, driving less, and walking or biking more.
• Waste Management: Waste management is the process of collecting, treating, and disposing of waste. Waste management can be done in a way that reduces greenhouse gas emissions. For example, waste can be recycled or composted, which helps to reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfills.
• Zero-carbon emission: Zero-carbon emission is a state in which there are no net emissions of greenhouse gases. Zero-carbon emissions can be achieved by reducing emissions from sources such as power plants, transportation, and industry, and by increasing the use of renewable energy.

Reducing carbon emissions is essential to protecting our planet. There are a number of ways to reduce carbon emissions, and we all have a role to play. By making changes to our lifestyles and supporting policies that promote clean energy and sustainable development, we can help to create a more sustainable future.

What is climate change?

Climate change is the long-term shifts in temperature and typical weather patterns in a place. Climate change could refer to a particular location or the planet as a whole. Climate change may cause weather patterns to be less predictable. A region might experience lower or higher than Average temperatures. Climate change may cause more frequent and severe weather events, such as storms, floods and droughts.

What causes climate change?

The main cause of climate change is human activity. The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas, releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases trap heat from the sun, which warms the planet. Other human activities that contribute to climate change include deforestation, agriculture and industrial processes.

What are the effects of climate change?

Climate change is already having a significant impact on the planet. The average global temperature has increased by about 1 degree Celsius since the late 19th century. This warming is causing a number of changes, including:

• Rising sea levels: As the Earth’s temperature warms, the ice caps and glaciers are melting, causing sea levels to rise. This is leading to flooding in coastal areas and erosion of beaches.
• More extreme weather events: Climate change is making extreme weather events, such as storms, floods and droughts, more frequent and severe. These events can cause widespread damage and displacement.
• Changes in plant and animal life: Climate change is causing changes in the distribution of plant and animal life. Some species are moving to new areas in order to find suitable habitats. Others are facing extinction.

What can we do to reduce climate change?

There are a number of things that we can do to reduce climate change. These include:

• Reducing our reliance on fossil fuels: We can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels by using renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power. We can also improve Energy Efficiency by making our homes and businesses more energy-efficient.
• Reducing our emissions: We can reduce our emissions by driving less, using public transportation or biking more. We can also recycle and compost to reduce the amount of waste we produce.
• Planting trees: Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, so planting trees can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

What is the Paris Agreement?

The Paris Agreement is an international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 195 countries in December 2015 and entered into force in November 2016. The agreement’s goal is to limit Global Warming to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. To achieve this goal, countries have agreed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

What is the role of the United Nations in addressing climate change?

The United Nations plays a leading role in addressing climate change. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the main international treaty on climate change. The UNFCCC was adopted in 1992 and has been ratified by 197 countries. The UNFCCC’s goal is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.

The UNFCCC’s first commitment period was from 2008 to 2012. During this period, developed countries agreed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 5% below 1990 levels. The second commitment period, from 2013 to 2020, is known as the Kyoto Protocol. The Kyoto Protocol’s goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 5% below 1990 levels for developed countries.

The Paris Agreement is the successor to the Kyoto Protocol. The Paris Agreement’s goal is to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. To achieve this goal, countries have agreed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The Paris Agreement is a legally binding treaty, while the Kyoto Protocol is a non-binding agreement.

The UN also provides a forum for countries to discuss climate change and to develop policies to address it. The UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP) is the supreme decision-making body of the UNFCCC. The COP meets every year to review progress on climate change and to discuss new policies.

The UN also provides financial assistance to developing countries to help them reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The Green Climate Fund is a multilateral fund that was established by the UNFCCC to provide financial assistance to developing countries.

1. Which of the following is not a greenhouse gas?
   (A) Carbon dioxide
   (B) Methane
   (C) Water vapor
   (D) Oxygen

2. Which of the following is the main source of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions?
   (A) Transportation
   (B) Electricity
   (C) Industry
   (D) Agriculture

3. What is the Kyoto Protocol?
   (A) An international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
   (B) A treaty to ban the use of nuclear weapons
   (C) A set of guidelines for sustainable development
   (D) A plan to reduce POVERTY in developing countries

4. What is the Paris Agreement?
   (A) An international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
   (B) A treaty to ban the use of nuclear weapons
   (C) A set of guidelines for sustainable development
   (D) A plan to reduce poverty in developing countries

5. What is the goal of the Paris Agreement?
   (A) To limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels
   (B) To reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020
   (C) To phase out coal-fired power plants by 2030
   (D) To provide $100 billion per year in climate finance to developing countries

6. What is the main challenge to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement?
   (A) The lack of political will to take action on climate change
   (B) The high cost of reducing greenhouse gas emissions
   (C) The difficulty of coordinating action among countries
   (D) The uncertainty of the science of climate change

7. What are some of the potential impacts of climate change?
   (A) Sea level rise
   (B) More extreme weather events
   (C) Changes in agricultural yields
   (D) Loss of Biodiversity-2/”>Biodiversity

8. What can individuals do to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
   (A) Drive less
   (B) Recycle
   (C) Eat less meat
   (D) All of the above

9. What are some of the benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions?
   (A) Reducing the risk of climate change impacts
   (B) Improving air quality
   (C) Saving Money on energy costs
   (D) All of the above

10. What is the future of climate change?
    (A) It is difficult to say, as the science of climate change is still evolving. However, it is clear that climate change is a serious threat to our planet, and we need to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.)