The Kyoto Protocol was a fundamental step towards achieving a global reduction in GHG’s. UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) signatories in 1997 agreed on a ‘protocol’ that set out specific targets for cuts. The European Member States committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 8% below 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012.
There are a number of economic and technical policies, measures, and instruments available for achieving these reductions:
- improving energy efficiency
- investing in innovation and new low carbon technologies
- taxes on emissions, carbon, and/or energy
- tradeable permits
- product bans
Even these measures are not going to be sufficient to reverse or slow down the temperature trend. According to the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), it would take an immediate reduction in CO2 emissions of at least 60% to stabilise concentrations in the atmosphere. Adaptation is therefore essential to ensure that North West Europe can cope with the impacts of climate change. |
|
Photos: Bayerisches Landesamt für Wasserwirtschaft |
