The Political and Technological Drivers Associated with Mitigation of CO2 Emmisions in the UK - Case Study Example

CRITICAL EVALUATION OF THE CURRENT POLITICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL DRIVERS ASSOCIATED WITH MITIGATION OF CO2 EMMISIONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM (UK) Name Course Tutor Date Introduction Carbon (IV) oxide scientifically written as CO2 is one of the primary green house gases that are released into the atmosphere through many human activities (Yamin, 2011). Carbon dioxide is also naturally present in the atmosphere as part of the carbon cycle of the earth that is the natural circulation of carbon in the oceans, soils, plants, animals and the atmosphere. This simple cycle meant to balance the CO2 content on earth is continuously being altered by humans through various activities (Yamin, 2011). These activities elevate the amount of CO2 levels in the atmosphere simply because carbon sinks such as natural forests that remove CO2 from the atmosphere are in one way or the other compromised (Rapp, 2008). The elevated increase is accounted for by the industrial revolution. The main source of CO2 is the combustion of fuels for energy (Rapp, 2008). The result has been the depletion of the ozone layer thus the effect of global warming. This has caused rise in sea levels due to melting of glaciers, poor agricultural production, extreme terrestrial temperatures, spreading of diseases and change of ecosystems (Yamin, 2011). The aim of this paper is to analyze the various policies in the UK that aim at mitigating CO2 levels as well as the global conferences and controls that are geared towards the same. Global Conferences and Protocols A number of conferences and thus treaties have emerged through time. They are discussed below. Geneva Conference This conference commenced on 26th April to 20th July, 1954. Its venue was Geneva, Switzerland (Glover, 2014). According to Glover (2014) he purpose of the conference was to discuss the possibility of restoring peace in Indochina as well as finding a way forward in settling the peace issues in Korea. Toronto Conference This conference was held between 27th and 30th June, 1988 in Toronto Canada. It brought over 300 scientists from various international bodies in 46 countries and organizations (Glover, 2014). National policy makers were also attracted making it the first one to combine policy makers and scientists. It recommended an international framework convention for climate change through recommending world atmosphere fund (Glover, 2014). Kyoto Protocol This refers to an international agreement or treaty that extends the UNFCC of 1992 committing states to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases. The rationale of the treaty is that global warming is real and the major cause is human activities (Zedillo, 2008). It was coined at a place called Kyoto in Japan on 11th December, 1977 and became operational in 2005 (Koh et al, 2010). Apart from Canada that withdrew her membership in 2012, there are 192 parties to the protocol (Koh et al, 2010). It is ideally an extension of UNFCCC meant to fight global warming through the reduction of greenhouse gases concentration in the atmosphere (Zedillo, 2008). The targets of the protocol were CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, hydro fluorocarbons, petro fluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride. The principle of the protocol is international emissions trading, clean development mechanism and joint implementation (Zedillo, 2008). Party’s actual emission is monitored through registry systems, reporting, compliance system, and adaptation (Zedillo, 2008). UNFCCC This refers to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which is a global treaty that was negotiated by United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. The treaty is also referred to as the Earth Summit by some literature. It was held in Rio de Janeiro between 3rd and 14th June, 1992 (Zedillo, 2008). The main agenda of the treaty was to stabilize the atmospheric concentrations of Greenhouse gases so as to curb lethal anthropogenic interference with the environment. The treaty has no any legal binding on emissions and lacks any enforcement (Koh et al, 2010). All the signatories are bound to report their GHG emissions as well as implement measures that protect the climate. The principle of UNFCC is the common but differentiated responsibilities, meaning that global action against climate change is the responsibility of every country (Zedillo, 2008). However, every state or country must make contributions depending on the emissions it contributes and the economic means. UNFCC on this basis divides countries into industrialized (Annex I countries) and economies in Transition (EIT). The developing countries are classified under Non-Annex I countries and are expected to contribute little compared to industrialized countries (Zedillo, 2008). Policy and Technology in the UK for carbon emission United Kingdom is committed just like any other region in the world, in the fight against carbon emission. According to the Committee of Climate Change (2013), Carbon budgets in the UK are defined based on territorial emissions, which are emissions produced within the borders of UK. This is in accordance to UNFCCC on climate change and Kyoto protocol. Based on this, the emissions have fallen drastically in the last two decades (Committee on Climate Change, 2013). However, a bone of contention still presents itself in the form of the imported goods and services that elevate the levels of CO2. The latter has forced UK to measure the emissions based on consumption as well. There is a large gap between production and carbon emissions in the UK compared to the whole world being that it imports more emissions based products and services yet only exports services (Committee on Climate Change, 2013). There are policies aimed at reducing the carbon footprint in the UK (Committee on Climate Change, 2013). The UK Climate Change Act of 2008 sets a long-term framework to tackle climate change with legally binding targets to reduce emissions (Committee on Climate Change, 2013). The Act requires at least 34 percent reduction in UK green house gas emissions by the year 2020 and by at least 80 % in 2050. The benchmark of this act is the levels measured and estimated in 1990. The UK is also the first country to set carbon budgets that places precincts on the total amount of greenhouse gases the UK should emit in a five year period (Committee on Climate Change, 2013). The carbon budget is legally binding and every tone of greenhouse emitted between now and the year 2050 is set to count (Committee on Climate Change, 2013). In this system, the rise in emissions in one sector will have to be complemented by a corresponding fall in a different sector. The Climate Change on Committee (2013) is charged with the duty of ensuring that an annual assessment is conducted and reports on whether the UK is on the course of meeting the carbon budgets to the parliament (Committee on Climate Change, 2013). This is tracked through the emission data and involves identification of underlying factors of emission other than the temporary factors such as weather (Committee on Climate Change, 2013). Every carbon budget has its own year plans (UKERC, 2011). The carbon budgets had limited the GHG emissions to 3018 tons of CO2 equivalent (MtCO2e) over the first period of 2008-12 (GOV.UK, 2015a). For the second period which covers this year, the emission is set to be 2782 MtCO2e that is from 2013-17. The other period is between 2018 and 2022 where the limit is set to be 2544 MtCO2e. Lastly, the fourth and thus far the last carbon budget covers the period of between 2023 and2027 and has the limit of 1950 MtCO2e (UKERC, 2011). The government is committed to the program through the setting of control policies that ensure that all the requirements are in place. Such regulations passed by the UK such as Carbon Budget order 2011, Climate Change Act of 2008, and Carbon budgets 2009 among others have had a significant role in the initiative. As can be seen on the progress of each carbon budget, there is an expected shortfall of about 205 MtCO2e by the end of the fourth carbon budge (UKERC, 2011)t. The stakeholders involved in the success of the initiative include the departments of energy and climate change, business, innovation, and skills, communities and local governments, environmental food and rural affairs , transport and HM treasury. There are two major policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions from identified carbon emission sources; majorly the use of carbon based fuels in the energy generation sector (ECL Environment Institute, 2007). The two are the EU ETS and various funding schemes with the mandate of developing and endorsing carbon abatement technologies such as the Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) (ECL Environment Institute, 2007). European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) forms the world's first largest experiment with an emissions trading system for CO2 (Ellerman & Buchner, 2007). EU ETS is managed by the Environment Agency (EA) as the administrator. It is likely to be emulated by others if there is to be a global administration for limiting greenhouse gas emissions (Ellerman & Buchner, 2007). This policy ensures that the UK companies are compliant to the legally binding carbon budgets that are expected to reduce all the emissions as per the directive of the Climate Change act 2008 (ICE, 2012).On the other hand CSS has significantly reduced the emissions from traditional fossil fuels sources through application of technology that is well researched and understood (ECL Environment Institute, 2007). The captured CO2 has proved useful for the North Sea Offshore Oil and gas industry thus increased recovery of remaining reservoirs and injection into the existing ones (ECL Environment Institute, 2007). The government offers funding for the CSS under the Carbon Abatement Technology strategy meant towards the development and use of CSS in the UK (ECL Environment Institute, 2007). Some of the accruing benefits to the UK through the CSS policy are that there will be safe removal as well as permanent storage of CO2 emissions from coal and gas power plants that are alternative sources of energy (ICE, 2012). Secondly, the emissions from industries will be removed and permanently stored as well. These two will be achieved by full implementation of the policy that is currently in phases. To ensure its smooth rolling the government has published a policy scoping document for CSS on 7th August, 2014, which summarizes the policies and actions that the government has undertaken to become a benchmark of CSS (ICE, 2012). The government supports this initiative through funding (ICE, 2012). The government is also fighting to reform the electricity market in the UK so that there is a complete integration of CSS with the low carbon energy technologies and sources. There is a collaborative movement of the government of UK and the industries to come up with a cost reducing strategy for technological development (Yamin, 2011). The collaboration also aims at working towards the development of an efficient supply chain as well as creating storage besides the development and innovation of the CSS infrastructure (ICE, 2012). There is also the borrowing of knowledge through sharing with different countries that have CSS so as to reduce costs. The other policy that has helped in the reduction of CO2 levels is the 2001 Climate Change Levy (CCL). It is a system where taxes are levied on energy use by each business. All the energy-intensive industries fall under the jurisdiction of this directive. The industries include steel, chemical and cement manufacturing plants in the UK. The industries enter into a climate change agreement where they agree with the government to lower their emissions (Yamin, 2011). If the levels are reduced as agreed upon, then the industry in question gets a discount in CCL (GOV.UK, 2015a). CCL was boosted by the 2006 DTI Energy Review that set standards for the government departments to source for 15% of their energy from quality Combined Heat and Power (CHP) by 2010. The UK government participates in capital grant schemes that are aimed at promoting the development of technologies that will ensure the shift towards the use of low carbon-intensive fuels in the production of energy. The UK government is also on the lead in using technology to cut the emissions of CO2 (GOV.UK, 2015a). As such the government is committed to ensuring that Ultra low emission vehicles are used. These vehicles include the electric, hydrogen powered, and plug-in vehicles. This is majorly aimed at the reduction of GHG emission on transport networks in the UK (GOV.UK, 2015a). To facilitate this government has extended its hands through provision of grants to those who purchase these vehicles. The government also contributes to funding any research and innovation as well as development through the Office of Low Emission Vehicles (GOV.UK, 2015a). The government also sets a framework for the development of a recharging network for both plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles. There is also funding of the plug in places programme. Lastly, the governments shows its commitment in this through setting of standards that govern the performance of car manufactures challenging them to deliver emissions free to low emission vehicles (GOV.UK, 2015b). All the vehicles being manufactured for the UK must comply with the strict EU emission standards at all costs (GOV.UK, 2015a). Euro IV to VI has been beneficial in making this work. All the vehicles have to pass an emission test prior to being allowed for purchase (GOV.UK, 2015a). The government is also working closely with the International Maritime Organization to ensure that there are operational, technical and market based frameworks at the international level so as to cut down the emissions of GHG from ships (GOV.UK, 2015b). The UK government has realized that sustainable fuels could also cut the emissions (Yamin, 2011). Therefore, it amended the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations to ensure that it is compliant with the requirements of European Legislation (Sustainable Aviation, 2012). Through this the government only rewards the production of biofuels that are GHG free and are environmental friendly. The UK government also ensures that businesses, households, and the public sector are aligned with practices that reduce carbon emission. This has been facilitated through the introduction of smart meters as well as a range of other energy efficient measures that are specific for an industry, public sector or the businesses altogether. The government has the green deal initiative (Yamin, 2011). The initiative has ensured that UK contributes funding to England and Wales so that there is installation of energy efficient systems in homes that have low emissions (Green Fiscal Commission, 2010). Additionally, the government also provides incentives to the private and public sector based organizations so that they are able to take implement energy-efficient technologies and practices through the popular CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme (Green Fiscal Commission, 2010). The government of UK recognizes the importance of substituting energy sources from non-renewable to renewable sources (Green Fiscal Commission, 2010). This has been through various initiatives as well. First off, through the renewable obligation that offers incentives to large scale renewable electricity generating firms making the suppliers source for energy from renewable source based producers (Green Fiscal Commission, 2010). There is also the feed-in Tariffs scheme for the small scale investors in low electricity generation systems. Other initiative includes the renewable heat incentive, UK energy road map and the renewable transport fuel obligations (Sustainable Aviation, 2012). All these initiatives have had a hand in the reduction of the emission of CO2 by some percentages that counts in the long run. The UK government also explores marine energy as an alternative to the carbon based energy sources that are non-renewable. The UK marine energy program has been beneficial and is in the upfront to ensure that the wave and tidal energies are well developed and explored at the commercial scale (JRF, 2013). Additionally, there are also marine energy parks in the UK that are in place to bring together the diversified community of scholars, researchers and technology developers among others in the development of marine energy sector for efficiency (JRF, 2013). This is one of the initiatives meant to optimize the low carbon emission technologies for sustainable energy production and mitigation of GHG emissions (JRF, 2013). According to Climate Change Committee (2013) this is meant to reduce emissions by 61MtCO2e by 2025. This is valued at around £1.1 billion to the UK economy. UK is actually a world leader in the exploitation of wave and tidal energies through various suitable initiatives and policies. Conclusion Carbon emission still remains a dilemma even for the developed or industrialized nations. There have been developments, conferences and treaties or agreements meant to protect the climate through various protocols. The most instrumental conferences that set pace to the whole world include Geneva and Toronto Conferences together with Kyoto and UNFCC, each having its own targets, policies and responsibilities as given in the overview above. UK is committed in various ways to ensuring that all the emissions of CO2 and other GHG are mitigated. A number of policies have been developed and funded by the UK government to institute the low emission strategy and align with the rest of the world in the reduction of the aforementioned effects of CO2. The policies have come a long way in ensuring that different techniques and methods as well as technologies are applied in different situations for a better change. Most importantly, the government has the carbon budget that sets a foot for the policy makers as well as researchers to work towards the minimization objectives of the country. The other initiatives that the government and the academia more so the researchers should exploit is the efficiency based systems such as the use of videoconferencing technology to reduce the overall carbon footprint in the transport sector. The UK sets a benchmark that other countries should adopt for efficiency and sustainability. It is noteworthy that UK also funds the global initiatives that have the same agenda; mitigation of carbon and GHG emission. Bibliography Committee on Climate Change. (2013, April). Reducing the UK’s carbon footprint. 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