Kyoto 2 – wise decision or reckless resolution?
AS announced last week, New Zealand – joining Japan, Canada and Russia – will not sign up for new commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.
The Kyoto Protocol is a treaty to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) that represents the commitment by developed nations in lowering global concentrations of greenhouse gasses.
First adopted in 1997, the protocol came into force in early 2005. Under the agreement, 37 nations as well as the European Union limit their greenhouse gas emissions. For the first commitment period from 2008-2012, developed nations (Annex B countries) collectively agreed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2 per cent. It was intended that from the second and subsequent commitment rounds that Annex A, i.e. developing nations, would also take on the pledge in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
New Zealand expects to complete the first round of the Treaty this year, exceeding what is required of us. Australia has just recently announced that they will be adopting Kyoto 2. Climate Campaigner Simon Boxer applauds their renewed commitment citing their late entry into the original Treaty and its coal dependent economy. He sees this as a sign from the bigger nation of its dedication to towards clean energy and its sincerity about climate change.
Climate Change Minister Tim Groser states that New Zealand has better options to contribute under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, than to be tied down in another binding contract until 2020.
Greens climate change spokesman Kennedy Graham said the current National Government was using this as an excuse to get out of any productive and constructive efforts.
"Not content to pass a law [on Thursday] to gut New Zealand's emissions trading scheme, the National Government is now out to undermine any international credibility the nation ever had on climate change."
He went on to say that Australia was looking ahead and by taking such practical measures now, they would be able to sustain a stronger economy in the future thanks to cleaner ways of doing business.
New Zealand would continue to have access to international carbon markets - which are developments of the Kyoto Protocol, dealing in the sale of carbon dioxide - until 2015 when countries with obligations under the first commitment period square accounts with each other.
The Government’s decision really does not have a direct effect until later next year and the subsequent commitment rounds. It will, however, pose a difficulty come 2015, when New Zealand would no longer have access to carbon markets.
Furthermore, this decision could have an effect on New Zealand’s clean, green image as well as raise questions about the seriousness with which we approach global warming. The only option we have, if this decision does indeed prove to be the wrong one, is to sign on for the third and subsequent rounds of the Kyoto Protocol.
Until then, all we can do is try to do our bit, by recycling, driving less, and buying energy efficient products.
Pooja Sundar is a third year law and politics student at the University of Auckland
AS announced last week, New Zealand – joining Japan, Canada and Russia – will not sign up for new commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.
The Kyoto Protocol is a treaty to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) that represents the commitment by developed nations in...
AS announced last week, New Zealand – joining Japan, Canada and Russia – will not sign up for new commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.
The Kyoto Protocol is a treaty to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) that represents the commitment by developed nations in lowering global concentrations of greenhouse gasses.
First adopted in 1997, the protocol came into force in early 2005. Under the agreement, 37 nations as well as the European Union limit their greenhouse gas emissions. For the first commitment period from 2008-2012, developed nations (Annex B countries) collectively agreed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2 per cent. It was intended that from the second and subsequent commitment rounds that Annex A, i.e. developing nations, would also take on the pledge in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
New Zealand expects to complete the first round of the Treaty this year, exceeding what is required of us. Australia has just recently announced that they will be adopting Kyoto 2. Climate Campaigner Simon Boxer applauds their renewed commitment citing their late entry into the original Treaty and its coal dependent economy. He sees this as a sign from the bigger nation of its dedication to towards clean energy and its sincerity about climate change.
Climate Change Minister Tim Groser states that New Zealand has better options to contribute under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, than to be tied down in another binding contract until 2020.
Greens climate change spokesman Kennedy Graham said the current National Government was using this as an excuse to get out of any productive and constructive efforts.
"Not content to pass a law [on Thursday] to gut New Zealand's emissions trading scheme, the National Government is now out to undermine any international credibility the nation ever had on climate change."
He went on to say that Australia was looking ahead and by taking such practical measures now, they would be able to sustain a stronger economy in the future thanks to cleaner ways of doing business.
New Zealand would continue to have access to international carbon markets - which are developments of the Kyoto Protocol, dealing in the sale of carbon dioxide - until 2015 when countries with obligations under the first commitment period square accounts with each other.
The Government’s decision really does not have a direct effect until later next year and the subsequent commitment rounds. It will, however, pose a difficulty come 2015, when New Zealand would no longer have access to carbon markets.
Furthermore, this decision could have an effect on New Zealand’s clean, green image as well as raise questions about the seriousness with which we approach global warming. The only option we have, if this decision does indeed prove to be the wrong one, is to sign on for the third and subsequent rounds of the Kyoto Protocol.
Until then, all we can do is try to do our bit, by recycling, driving less, and buying energy efficient products.
Pooja Sundar is a third year law and politics student at the University of Auckland
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