Examining the Prospects and Challenges of Implementing the Kyoto Protocol
1
EXAMINING THE PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES OF IMPLEMENTING THE KYOTO PROTOCOL
BY
ISU, DORATHY AKWUGO
JULY 2008
INSTITUTE FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA ENUGU CAMPUS
2
ABSTRACT
This paper examined the Kyoto protocol its mechanisms and implementation in the light of attaining sustainable development especially in the developing world. It explains the problems of climate change which led to the enumeration of the Kyoto protocol as well as the challenges faced so far in its implementation. It also examines the prospects of its success vis-à-vis the criticisms and challenges which it has faced in the course of implementation. Some of these challenges include the argument that though Annex 1 countries have agreed to achieve the Kyoto target 5% reduction in their 1990 levels of greenhouse gas emissions by 2012, it is no more than a pinprick in the menace of climate change. The Kyoto figures also exclude emission from aviation and shipping which are contributors to carbon footprints. The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) has also been said to offer technology transfer as sufficient in itself without underlying reference to the real energy needs of developing countries. The paper concludes that the Kyoto protocol is a step in the right direction to addressing the growing concerns over climate change and recommends that the far reaching effects of global climate change require that a joint effort by all the world’s nations such as is attempted by the Kyoto protocol is necessary to save the earth.
INTRODUCTION
In recent times, scientists, environmentalists and development experts have been concerned with the deterioration of our natural environment which has been associated with development and industrialisation worldwide. This deterioration not only impairs human health but also causes loss of wild biodiversity and depletion of natural non renewable minerals (Baker, 2006: 3). There is also the realisation that the world is
EXAMINING THE PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES OF IMPLEMENTING THE KYOTO PROTOCOL
BY
ISU, DORATHY AKWUGO
JULY 2008
INSTITUTE FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA ENUGU CAMPUS
2
ABSTRACT
This paper examined the Kyoto protocol its mechanisms and implementation in the light of attaining sustainable development especially in the developing world. It explains the problems of climate change which led to the enumeration of the Kyoto protocol as well as the challenges faced so far in its implementation. It also examines the prospects of its success vis-à-vis the criticisms and challenges which it has faced in the course of implementation. Some of these challenges include the argument that though Annex 1 countries have agreed to achieve the Kyoto target 5% reduction in their 1990 levels of greenhouse gas emissions by 2012, it is no more than a pinprick in the menace of climate change. The Kyoto figures also exclude emission from aviation and shipping which are contributors to carbon footprints. The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) has also been said to offer technology transfer as sufficient in itself without underlying reference to the real energy needs of developing countries. The paper concludes that the Kyoto protocol is a step in the right direction to addressing the growing concerns over climate change and recommends that the far reaching effects of global climate change require that a joint effort by all the world’s nations such as is attempted by the Kyoto protocol is necessary to save the earth.
INTRODUCTION
In recent times, scientists, environmentalists and development experts have been concerned with the deterioration of our natural environment which has been associated with development and industrialisation worldwide. This deterioration not only impairs human health but also causes loss of wild biodiversity and depletion of natural non renewable minerals (Baker, 2006: 3). There is also the realisation that the world is
References: Baker, S. (2006), Sustainable Development, London: Routledge Businessday Newspapers, Friday 11th – Sunday 13th July 2008: 29 Cohen, M De Leo, Giulio A. et al (2001), "Carbon emissions: The economic benefits of the Kyoto Protocol". Nature, 413: 478–479 In depth, Kyoto and beyond; Kyoto protocol FAQs retrieved on 28 th June 2008 from http://www./cb.ca/news/background/kyoto Jhingan, M Meadowcroft, J. (2002), „The next step: a climate change briefing for European decision makers‟, Policy Paper 02/13. Quoted in Baker, S. (2006), Sustainable Development, London: Routledge 22 Todaro, M. P. and Smith, S. C. (2006), Economic Development. Edinburgh Gate: Pearson Education Ltd UNDP (2007), Human Development Report 2007/2008; Country fact sheets – Nigeria