Uncategorized Archives - Silvica: Blog for Sustainable Development http://silvica.site/category/uncategorized/ Greening our world through content Thu, 29 Apr 2021 07:35:11 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://i0.wp.com/silvica.site/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/cropped-silvica_image.jpg?fit=32%2C32 Uncategorized Archives - Silvica: Blog for Sustainable Development http://silvica.site/category/uncategorized/ 32 32 162136420 Some Key Points of the Paris Agreement http://silvica.site/some-key-points-of-the-paris-agreement/ http://silvica.site/some-key-points-of-the-paris-agreement/#comments Sun, 23 Jun 2019 09:00:53 +0000 http://silvica.site/?p=368 By David OkulMay 19, 2019 It is widely known that the world is facing a climate crisis. Climate change and global warming have already made the earth’s temperature increase by one-degree centigrade. The increase might appear small, but it has significant (mostly negative) effects on biodiversity, food supply, oceans, and extreme climatic events. The governments […]

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By David Okul
May 19, 2019

It is widely known that the world is facing a climate crisis. Climate change and global warming have already made the earth's temperature increase by one-degree centigrade. The increase might appear small, but it has significant (mostly negative) effects on biodiversity, food supply, oceans, and extreme climatic events. The governments of the world need to act, and they did, via the Paris Agreement.

On 12 December 2015, 196 parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) adopted the Paris Agreement at COP 21 in Paris. The Agreement included a new legal framework that aimed at tackling climate change. The agreement involved 6 years of intense lobbying and was achieved under pressure to avoid the failures of the Copenhagen conference in 2009.

The agreement recognizes the economic levels of each country. Based on the principle of the common, each country has differentiated responsibilities as per its capability. Ergo, developed countries continue to take the lead on mitigating climate change while supporting the actions of developing countries.

The agreement could not come into force until 55 nations representing at 55% of global emissions had officially joined. The threshold was reached on October 2016, and the agreement came into force 30 days later, on 4th November 2016. As of January 2019, it had been ratified by 185 of the 197 countries that signed it. As of December 2018, the major emitting countries that were yet to join include Iran, Turkey, and Russia.

Ice Melting in Greenland
Melting Ice leading to sea level rise is one of the impacts of climate change (Image source, NRDC, Via Christopher Michel on Flickr

Unlike the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement does not focus on country-specific targets. Instead, the agreement favors voluntary mitigation contributions.

Form of the Paris Agreement

The agreement is a treaty under international law and would replace and improve the Kyoto Protocol, which also aimed at reducing anthropogenic greenhouse gases. The Conference of parties (COP) to the UNFCC adopted the agreement. As a treaty under the international law, the parties would be bound to one another by the terms in the agreement.

Goals

At the center of the Paris Agreement is the goal of holding the global warming levels to below 2 degrees above the preindustrial levels. In fact, it aspires to limit the temperature increase to below 1.5 degrees centigrade.  The choice of two degrees is in line with the recommendations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

All parties to the agreement need to make profound changes to their economies if the goals are to be achieved.

Four items are pertinent in the goal of the agreement:

  • Lower temperature goal
  • Legally binding agreement
  • Review emission commitments for countries every five years
  • The mechanism for tracking the progress of countries in meeting targets

Although parties could not agree on the specific date the global emissions were to pick, there was a consensus that such an agreement was to pick ‘as soon as possible’

Two types of action are vital to ensure that the agreement’s targets are met:

  1. The rates of greenhouse gases emitted have to reduce to a point where there is a balance between emission and sequestration
  2. Countries have to increase the options to sequester carbon. Higher rates of sequestration permit more residual GHG emissions.

National Actions

All parties to the agreement need to develop plans on how to contribute to climate change mitigation and would communicate the ‘nationally determined contributions’ (NDC) to the Secretariat of the convection. It is important to note that the initial NDCs fell short of the target. Nevertheless, the agreement presented an effective first step. The NDCs need to be communicated at a 5 year period interval with each report presenting an improvement. A technical expert review would validate the reports as parties are required to provide the information necessary for clarity, transparency, and understanding.

Developed countries should adopt economy-wide absolute emission reduction targets immediately while developing countries should aim at the reduction over time.

The agreement allows for parties to cooperate in achieving their NDCs via:

  • Formulating joint NDC’s within a regional economic integration such as the European Union
  • Implementing formal emission trading where the transfer of mitigation outcomes could be used by another country to fulfill its NDC
  • Private and public entities could be allowed to undertake mitigation projects that generate transferable GHG emissions

Although the agreement fails to make a direct reference to market-based approaches, it allows for the transfer of emissions reductions and removals.

Image Source: https://www.ineteconomics.org/perspectives/blog/carbon-dividends-the-bipartisan-key-to-climate-policy
Anthropogenic emissions are a cause of greenhouse gases and global warming

Other Points in the Agreement

  • Article five of the agreement is dedicated to forests in an effort to anchor existing forest provisions in the agreement. Parties are encouraged to support existing frameworks such as REDD+. The non-carbon benefits of forests are also acknowledged.
  • The agreement does not make a direct reference to agriculture. Nevertheless, a reference to food production in article 2 insinuates that the agricultural sector is expected to take a lead in reducing GHG emissions
  • Article 13 of the agreement provides a mechanism that ensures that countries have a framework for reporting their NDC
  • The first stocktaking of the agreement is scheduled for 2023
  • Article 7 provides mechanisms for adapting to climate change. The goal of adaptation have been generally absent from previous UNFCCC agreements
  • Developed countries were requested to take the lead in acquiring the financial resources for implementing the agreement (article 9). Developed countries are also required to submit biennial reports of the assistance they give.
  • Article 10 promotes the transfer of technology while article 11 encourage parties to cooperate to enhance capacities
  • In addressing loss and damage, the agreement extends the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage
  • The agreement has a global goal of adaptation that was lacking in previous frameworks. African countries had been pushing for adaptation in climate change since its introduction in Copenhagen 2009. However, the goals were qualitative whereas African countries favored quantitative goals.

The Paris Agreement provides a framework for which countries are expected to define their NDC targets. It is anchored on a collaborative approach that seeks each country commitment to dealing with climate change.

References and Resources

Get the Paris Agreement in Full here: https://unfccc.int/resource/docs/2015/cop21/eng/l09r01.pdf

Get the summarized version of the agreement here: https://www.climatefocus.com/sites/default/files/20151228%20COP%2021%20briefing%20FIN.pdf

Read more on the Paris Agreement here: https://www.nrdc.org/stories/paris-climate-agreement-everything-you-need-know

David Okul is a freelance writer, and a PhD student at a Kenyan university

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]]> http://silvica.site/some-key-points-of-the-paris-agreement/feed/ 1 368 Economists’ Statement on Carbon Dividends http://silvica.site/economists-statement-on-carbon-dividends-2/ Sat, 22 Jun 2019 19:09:35 +0000 http://silvica.site/?p=362 By David OkulMay 13, 2019 On January 17, 2019, a number of prominent economists published a statement titled, ““Economists’ Statement on Carbon Dividends” Various prominent personnel have signed the statement. They include: Nobel laureates Chair of Federal Reserve Chairs of council of economic advisers Former chairs of US Department of Treasury As of 27th March […]

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Image Source: https://www.ineteconomics.org/perspectives/blog/carbon-dividends-the-bipartisan-key-to-climate-policy

By David Okul
May 13, 2019

On January 17, 2019, a number of prominent economists published a statement titled, ““Economists’ Statement on Carbon Dividends” Various prominent personnel have signed the statement. They include:

  • Nobel laureates
  • Chair of Federal Reserve
  • Chairs of council of economic advisers
  • Former chairs of US Department of Treasury

As of 27th March 2019, 3,500 US economists had signed the statement.  A list of all the signatories can be accessed in the link https://www.clcouncil.org/economists-statement/

Signatories to the plan

The statement by economists shows that environmental conservation is becoming a genuinely pertinent issue even in developed economies

The statement acknowledges that Global climate change is a pertinent problem of the world. They suggest policy recommendations based on sound economic principles. Some of their recommendations include:

  1. A carbon tax. The economists believe that carbon tax offers the most cost effective way of reducing emissions at a reasonable scale and speed.
  2. An increasing carbon tax: The tax should increase until emission targets are met. They argue that by increasing the tax, businesses would be encouraged to innovate solutions that would reduce carbon emissions.
  3. Implementation of carbon tax policy will reduce the need for inefficient carbon regulations.
  4. Establishment of a border carbon adjustment system to prevent carbon leakage and the competiveness of American businesses.
  5. A mechanism to return all the revenues to US citizens via equal lump-sum rebates

Personally, I think that the statement is a step in the right direction towards combating the challenge of climate change. For a long time, it has been assumed that economic development is a priority over environmental management in many policies. The fact that economists have taken the lead in ensuring that production factors in environmental and social costs means that at least America is ready for genuine sustainable development.

Consultancy on climate change in Kenya
People will listen when they comprehend that climate change threatens the economy

David Okul is an environmental consultant and a PhD student at a Kenyan university

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]]> 362 Green Economy: Is it the silver bullet to save the environment in a capitalist world? http://silvica.site/economists-statement-on-carbon-dividends/ http://silvica.site/economists-statement-on-carbon-dividends/#comments Mon, 13 May 2019 08:30:33 +0000 http://silvica.site/?p=116 It has been established by environmentalists that the current growth patterns are not sustainable; there is only one way forward-Turning to green economy for sustained growth. I By David OkulMay 16, 2019, Updated 6th May 2020 In general, the Green Economy is perceived as an alternative vision of growth and development. It focuses on improving […]

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It has been established by environmentalists that the current growth patterns are not sustainable; there is only one way forward-Turning to green economy for sustained growth.

I

By David Okul
May 16, 2019, Updated 6th May 2020

In general, the Green Economy is perceived as an alternative vision of growth and development. It focuses on improving people’s lives while incorporating sustainable development principles. There is no agreed definition for green economy, but at Silvica our definition is consistent with UNEP’s (Now UN Environment), which defines green economy as:

Green economy in Kenya
Green economy is cited as a feasible alternative way of sustainable development (Source, United Nation)

“ an economy that results in improved human well‐being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. It is low carbon, resource efficient, and socially inclusive” (UNEP, 2011).

The common economic growth model focuses on increasing the gross domestic product (GDP) over other goals. Although the approach has yielded results in improving the income and reducing poverty for millions of people, it has also led to potentially irreversible social and environmental damages.  In theory, a green economy approach aims at protecting the planet while uplifting the people and maximizing the profits. We believe that the planet and the people come before the profits.

Why should we make an attempt for green economy?

Poverty is still rampant in the world. It is estimated that close to three billion people in the world are affected by poverty. Ironically, most parameters show that the economies of the world are increasing. In reality, economic growth is accompanied by a growing gap between the rich and the poor. Moreover, the current economic models have led close to 60% of the world’s ecosystem degraded or unsustainably used.

The persistent poverty and degradation of the environment can be attributed to a series of market and institutional failures that make the current economic models less effective. Economists know the markets and institutional failures but are reluctant to address them. For instance, there lack effective mechanisms to ensure polluters pay the full costs of pollution. As such, markets fail to account for inherent externalities of their production that affect the environment.

Many governments are embracing the principles of green economy. These countries are implementing policies that ensure that their economies become drivers of sustainability. For instance, Kenya launched the Green Economy Strategy and Implementation Plan (GESIP) on 27 July 2017. The blueprint would aid Kenya into the transition into a sustainable path in the thematic areas of infrastructure, natural resources management, resource efficiency, social inclusion, and sustainable livelihoods.

In essence, green economy includes the activities that assist in reducing the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. Human-produced carbon is the cause of probably the biggest environmental issue in our time; greenhouse gases and climate change.

Still, want to read more about the green economy and its related concept of Green growth and low-carbon development? Download the Guidebook on the link

The Development of Green economy after the Coronavirus Crisis should be a priority

Of course, we must contain the Covid-19 situation before we even think of resuming work. In the short term, the coronavirus has brought some positive impacts to the environment. If we continue our lives as business as usual, then most of the positive effects will be outdone. However, the situation also presents an opportunity for green growth.

The fact that some economies have crushed means that they can be rebuilt. This time around, we can create a system that is more environmentally sustainable and socially fairer. Even before the pandemic, there was momentum for a Green New Deal. Countries had recognized that developing a green economy is vital for resilient systems.

Some opportunities for the green economy after the coronavirus include;

  • Governments could finance green bonds. Such investments would favor the development of environmental-friendly projects like the renewable energy sector.
  • The coronavirus has exposed the nine-to-five workday. Employers see the possibilities of flexible working hours and the promise of remote working. The changes will have significant effects on carbon emission as transport is a significant emitter.
  • Apart from transport, decarbonization can also occur in the food sector. Many economies have realized that their food production relies significantly on exports. An inclusive green economy would promote local food production. Eventually, sourcing food locally reduces the carbon miles of food. It may also be healthier and cheaper.
  • In short, governments need to focus on strategies that would reduce carbon emissions. It is counterproductive to handle the coronavirus crisis now and create another problem, climate change, soon.

The green economy was an afterthought in the post-2008 economy recovery programs.  The world should not make the same mistake when developing recovery plans after the coronavirus. We believe that a green economy would even prevent further pandemics. After all, Covid-19 arose from poor environmental policy

Further Reading

World Resources Institute WRI

IISD

The Conversation

More Articles on Silvica

The potential impacts of Coronavirus on Conservation in Africa

The Environmental Benefits of the Coronavirus (COVID 19)

Economists’ Statement on Carbon Dividends

David Okul is an environmental management professional with over 10 years experience on donor projects, conservation, forestry, ecotourism, and community-based natural resources management. When not working on my active environmental management projects, I spend my time writing for Silvica on a variety of topics. 

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