UNEP · 2016. 7. 28. · Climate change is a global issue because the climate is shared by all the...

UNEPC O M M I T T E E G U I D E

United Nations Environment Programme

Committee Guide

Message from Chairperson

Dear delegates,

It is a pleasure to welcome you to the United Nations Environment Programme for the sixth session of Navrachana International Model United Nations. My name is Anna Mehta and I will be the chairperson of UNEP. Your co-chair is Sakshi Patel.

The two topics chosen for debate are efficient management of increased resources to combat greenhouse gas emissions and Combating climate change around the world. Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of this period, and it is up to the international community to come together in order to implement short-term and long-term solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Remember, as delegates of UNEP, you are not only expected to discuss causes and contributors of climate change, but also to identify the possible approaches and solutions to fight against its consequences. Only through cooperation and innovation will the international community be able to solve this important problem.

The more information and understanding you acquire on the two topics, the more you will be able to influence the Resolution writing process through debates, and the NIMUN experience as a whole. We expect the delegates to have thorough knowledge about the topics and their country’s stand. I also advise you to understand the foreign policies of your countries, and abide by them firmly. Please remember that committee members need to be well versed and ready to debate both topics.

The following pages intend to guide you in the research of the topics that will be debated in committee sessions. Please note this guide only provides the basis for your study. If you have any questions concerning your preparation for the Committee or the Conference itself, feel free to contact us at [email protected]


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Enjoy researching and writing your Position Papers. Looking forward to seeing all of you on the 2nd! With regards, Anna Mehta

"To provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to

improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations."


Committee Guide

Introduction to the committee

UNEP, established in 1972, is the voice for the environment within the United Nations system. UNEP acts as a catalyst, advocate, educator and facilitator to promote the wise use and sustainable development of the global environment. To Accomplish this, UNEP works with a wide range of partners, including United Nations entities, international organizations, national governments, nongovernmental organizations, the private sector and civil society.

UNEP work encompasses:

• Assessing global, regional and national environmental conditions and trends

• Developing international and national environmental instruments

• Strengthening institutions for the wise management of the environment

• Facilitating the transfer of knowledge and technology for sustainable development

• Encouraging new partnerships and mind-sets within civil society and the private sector.

UNEP's global and cross-sectoral outlook is reflected in its organizational structure, its activities and is personnel. Being based in Africa gives UNEP a clear advantage in understanding the environmental issues facing the world's developing countries.


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Topic A: Efficient management of increased resources to combat greenhouse gas emissions. Dangers

One of the dangers of greenhouse gases is global warming. Polar ice caps are melting as a result of the greenhouse effect and this increases the sea level and cause floods to the coastal areas. Therefore greenhouse gases are a danger in climate changes on earth. The greenhouse gases are a danger to the environment as it alters the weather. When the temperature increases, evaporation of water increases as well. This brings about an increase in rainfall as well as dryer soil because of evaporation. This can change agriculture around the world with a lack of good soil. These changes on a global scale could possibly bring about deserts in ecosystems. Greenhouse gases pose a danger to agriculture. Rising temperatures from greenhouse gases affect the yields of vegetation. While the increase in carbon dioxide brings about higher yields in agriculture the effect on the soil is not known. Growers of agriculture must now adapt to these changes in the climate. The climate change, or global warming as a result of greenhouse gases, brings about threats to agriculture and vegetation around the world. Past Actions Climate change is a global issue because the climate is shared by all the world’s nations. UNEP works to develop environmental education and awareness as well as promote sustainable development. The most significant international document related to climate change is the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) with the attached Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997 and went into force in 2005. The treaty aims to get countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change. The Kyoto Protocol also introduced emissions trading, which allows countries that exceed their emission quotas to purchase emission credit from countries that are able to stay below their limits. This provides developed


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countries, which emit large quantities of greenhouse gases, with greater flexibility and gives developing countries an economic incentive to reduce emissions. As of September 2011, 191 states have signed the treaty. The United States, Afghanistan, Andorra, and South Sudan have not ratified the treaty. In 2011, Canada removed their signature and ratification. Emissions by Country In 2011, the top carbon dioxide (CO2) emitters were China, the United States, the European Union, India, the Russian Federation, Japan, and Canada. These data include CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion, as well as cement manufacturing and gas flaring. Together, these sources represent a large proportion of total global CO2 emissions. Emissions and sinks related to changes in land use are not included in these estimates. However, changes in land use can be important: estimates indicate that net global greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, forestry, and other land use were over 8 billion metric tons of CO2 equivalent, or about 24% of total global greenhouse gas emissions. In areas such as the United States and Europe, changes in land use associated with human activities have the net effect of absorbing CO2, partially offsetting the emissions from deforestation in other regions.


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emissions by countries(2011) Is energy efficiency a solution? To control the greenhouse gas emissions, UNEP identifies the areas for action, including energy efficiency, renewable energy, fossil energy subsidies, and emission of methane and other short lived climate pollutants. The International Energy Agency’s Special Report Redrawing the Energy–Climate Map (2013) concludes that energy efficiency is the area with the largest potential.

The paradox of energy efficiency is that it is relevant for most sectors but often requires coordinated engagement of a large and diverse group of actors. Increasing energy efficiency therefore presents a very different implementation challenge compared with energy supply, where decisions in most cases are centralized in large energy companies or government ministries.


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Climate change affects every country and has potentially disastrous consequences for the world. Delegates should consider that different countries emit different amounts of greenhouse gases, but people everywhere feel the effects of climate change. Delegates should also realize that countries rely on fossil fuels (oil, coal etc.) for day-to-day life. So, delegates cannot simply pass a resolution banning the use of fossil fuels.

Delegates should carefully consider the effects of climate change that are happening in their country and the amount of greenhouse gases their country releases into the atmosphere. Then, delegates should ponder upon the following solutions:

• Governments must reduce carbon emissions by 10% over the next 5 years.

• Governments must invest in renewable energy. • Governments must pay a tax on carbon usage.

Other solutions include slowing the process of deforestation and encouraging afforestation in order to draw carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, using alternative sources of energy in order to reduce greenhouse energy consumption, and reducing emissions from transportation, buildings, and human settlements among others. Timeline:

• 05/06/2014: UNEP Energy Branch celebrating World Environment Day 2014 on SIDS (Small Island Developing State) Although Trinidad and Tobago is contributing less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, SIDS have decided to take steps to switch to renewable energy, reducing their dependence on fossil fuels. The country is legislating to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.

• 23/09/14: ABB, one of the worlds’ leading companies in power and automation technologies, joins hands with UNEP to support the Global Efficient Appliances and Equipment Partnership Programme, a UNEP flagship initiative that accelerates the transition to energy efficient products and information technology


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in developing countries and emerging economies. The aim is to cut greenhouse gas emissions and reduce electricity demand.

• 24/09/14: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) announced a new initiative to accelerate the transition to more efficient appliances and equipment to reduce global energy demand, mitigate climate change and improve access to energy. A worldwide shift to energy-efficient appliances and equipment would reduce global electricity consumption by more than 10 per cent, reducing global CO2 emissions by 1.25 billion tonnes per year.

• 10/12/14: A coalition launched at the climate talks in Lima aims to boost efforts to save billions of dollars and billions of tonnes of CO2 emissions each year by measuring and reporting reductions of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from projects and programmes that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency in developing countries.

• 26/02/15: In the EU Conference, UNEP and the UN looks to Europe to enhance the political will to increase and accelerate energy efficiency, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions as well as resulting in multiple benefits.

• 18/06/15: For the first time in four decades, the world economy grew without a parallel rise in CO2 emissions.


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Topic B: Combating climate change around the world Background

One of the biggest challenges facing the international community today is the issue of climate change and its effects. Climate change is occurring as a result of certain gases building up in the Earth’s atmosphere. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the recent accumulations in the Earth’s atmosphere of heat-trapping “greenhouse gases” have been caused by a number of factors, but the two factors most at fault are the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil, and widespread deforestation. These gases prevent heat from escaping to space, somewhat like the glass panels of a greenhouse.

Greenhouse gases are necessary to life as we know it because they keep the planet's surface at an optimal temperature to sustain human life. However, as the concentrations of these gases continue to increase in the atmosphere, the Earth's temperature rises above normal levels. According to data from the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA), the Earth's average surface temperature has increased by about 1.4˚F in the last 100 years. While this doesn’t seem like a large increase, it has still had major impacts on the Earth’s climate.

The eight warmest years on record since 1850 have all occurred since 1998, with the warmest year being 2005. Most of the warming in recent decades is probably the result of human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels. Other aspects of the climate are also changing such as rainfall patterns, snow and ice cover, and sea level. If greenhouse gases continue to increase, climate models predict that the average temperature at the Earth's surface could increase from 3.2 to 7.2ºF above 1990 levels by the year 2100. Scientists are certain that human activities are changing the composition of the atmosphere, and that increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases will change the planet's climate.

Climate change directly affects human health through increases in average temperature. Rising average temperatures are predicted to increase the frequency of heat waves and hot extremes. Individuals with heart problems, asthma, the elderly, the very young, and the homeless


Committee Guide

can be especially vulnerable to temperature extremes. These can cause potentially fatal illnesses, such heat stress or hypothermia, as well as increasing death rates from heart and respiratory diseases. In cities, stagnant weather conditions can trap both warm air and air pollutants, leading to smog episodes with significant health impacts. For example, abnormally high temperatures in Europe in the summer of 2003 were associated with at least 27,000 more deaths than the equivalent period in previous years. In total, from 1990 to 2008, over 600,000 people died directly from over 11,000 extreme weather patterns.

Rising sea levels are also a large issue that stems directly from climate change. Tuvalu, a West Pacific nation whose highest point is just five meters above sea level, could be completely submerged within fifty years. A similar timeline is also appropriate for the Maldives, the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, and Tokelau. According to NASA, scientists now know that the average global rate of sea level rise has increased 50% during the last 12 years. The average rate is up to 3 millimeters per year from a 50-year annual average of 2 millimeters per year. Experts attribute rising sea level to ocean warming, which causes water to expand, and glacial melting, which is discharging increasing amounts of freshwater directly into the sea. These two factors are directly linked to being caused by climate change, and they are constantly threatening the welfare of small island nations.

Possible solutions:

One of the most comprehensive frameworks to combat climate change is still the Kyoto Protocol, despite ongoing difficulties with its ratification. The Protocol outlines three specific mechanisms that signatory nations must comply with in order to mitigate the effects of climate change:

Emissions Trading: This mechanism allows nations with excess carbon credits to sell those credits to nations who have not yet met their emissions targets. While the so-called carbon market is indeed a valuable and innovative approach toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions, there are still issues with the mechanism that must be solved.

Clean Development: This mechanism involves the creation of emissions-reduction projects in developing countries, which can earn certified emission reduction (CER) credits. These CER credits can then be used on the carbon market.


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Joint Implementation: This mechanism allows countries to work together in order to create sustainable projects in return for emission reduction units. Together, these three mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol have allowed most nations to cut carbon emissions by a total average of 5%.

Timeline:

1979 — The first World Climate Conference takes place

1988 — The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is set up. The IPCC’s main objectives are to further our knowledge of climate change, as well as prepare a plan of action to implement solutions. The IPCC also releases topic-specific assessment reports to share knowledge of solutions that have worked thus far to combat climate change.

1990 — The IPCC and the second World Climate Conference call for a global treaty on climate change. The United Nations General Assembly negotiations on a framework convention begin.

1991 — First meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee takes place.

1992 —At the Earth Summit in Rio, the UNFCCC is opened for signature along with its sister Rio Conventions, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.

1994 — The UNFCCC enters into force.

1995 — The first Conference of the Parties (COP 1) takes place in Berlin.

1996 — The UNFCCC Secretariat is set up to support action under the Convention.

1997 — The Kyoto Protocol is formally adopted in December at COP3. The Kyoto Protocol set legally binding targets for 37 industrialized countries and the European Union for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.


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2001 — The Marrakesh Accords are adopted at COP7, detailing the rules for implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, setting up new funding and planning instruments for adaptation, and establishing a technology transfer framework.

2005 — Entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol. The first Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (MOP 1) takes place in Montreal. In accordance with Kyoto Protocol requirements, Parties launched negotiations on the next phase of the KP under the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP). What was to become the Nairobi Work Programme on Adaptation (it would receive its name in 2006, one year later) is accepted and agreed on.

2007 — The IPCC’s Fourth Assessment Report is released. Climate science entered into popular consciousness. At COP13, Parties agreed on the Bali Road Map, which charted the way towards a post-2012 outcome in two work streams: the AWG-KP, and another under the Convention, known as the Ad-Hoc Working Group on Long-Term Cooperative Action Under the Convention.

2009 — Copenhagen Accord drafted at COP15 in Copenhagen. Countries later submitted emissions reductions pledges or mitigation action pledges, all non-binding.

2010 — Cancun Agreements drafted and largely accepted by the COP, at COP16. Through the Agreements, countries made their emission reduction pledges official, in what was the largest collective effort the world has ever seen to reduce emissions in a mutually accountable way.

2011 — The Durban Platform for Enhanced Action drafted and accepted by the COP, at COP17. In Durban, governments clearly recognized the need to draw up the blueprint for a fresh universal, legal agreement to deal with climate change beyond 2020, where all will play their part to the best of their ability and all will be able to reap the benefits of success together.

2012 – The Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol is adopted by the CMP at CMP8. The amendment includes: new commitments for Annex I Parties to the Kyoto Protocol who agreed to take on commitments in a second commitment period from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2020;


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a revised list of greenhouse gases to be reported on by Parties in the second commitment period; and amendments to several articles of the Kyoto Protocol pertaining to the first commitment period and which needed to be updated for the second commitment period.

2013 – Key decisions adopted at COP19/CMP9 include decisions on further advancing the Durban Platform, the Green Climate Fund and Long-Term Finance, the Warsaw Framework for REDD Plus and the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage.

2014 – COP20 will be held in December in Lima, Peru

2015 – COP21 or CMP11 held in Paris, France in December.

Top climate change concerns across all regions.

Pointers:

• Signs and effects of climate change;

• Ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions;

• Ways to adapt to a changing climate;


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• Efforts already underway to curb global warming

• Responsibility of various nations (developing vs. developed nations);

• The relationship between economic development and carbon emissions; and

• The responsibilities of individuals, governments, and the international community to fight climate change.

Useful Resources:

• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change: http://unfccc.int/2860.php

• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: http://www.ipcc.ch/ • UN Gateway to Climate Change:

http://www.un.org/wcm/content/site/climatechange/gateway/ • http://www.unep.org/climatechange/ • http://newsroom.unfccc.int/ • http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-

report/ar5/syr/AR5_SYR_FINAL_All_Topics.pdf

Acknowledgements:

http://www.unep.org/documents.multilingual/default.asp?documentid=97&articleid=1503

https://www.ipcc.ch/organization/organization_history.shtml

http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/climate-change-2/

http://www.unep.org/newscentre/Default.aspx?DocumentID=26856&ArticleID=35611

https://www3.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/global.htm

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