NGO Workshop on Climate Change

1
NGO Workshop on Climate Change

• 25 November 2003,
• Sofia, Bulgaria

2
Why NGO workshop on climate change

• Inform on climate change issues (problem,
  international agreements, possible solutions)
• Inform on process of developing a National Action
  Plan on Climate Change for MoEW
• Identify possible role or actions for NGOs in
  this process
• Strengthen network/information exchange between
  and with NGOs

3
The climate change problem a general introduction

• NGO meeting on Climate Change
• Hanneke van de Ven
• November 25, 2003

4
What is climate change?

• Increased emissions from greenhouse gases CO2,
  CH4, N2O and fluoride compounds by human
  activities
• Burning of fossil fuels
• Land use change (rice paddies, cutting of trees)
• Greenhouse effect of earths atmosphere increases

5
Facts

• 0.6o C temp. increase from 1860 onwards
• Melting of ice 10-15 decrease during summer
  since 1950
• Sea level rise 20th century by 10 20 cm

• Precipitation
• Northern hemisphere increasing by 0.5 1 /10
  yrs
• Subtropical areas decreasing by 0.3 /10 yrs
• CO2 increase from 1750 onwards with 1/3

6
Impacts?
(estimated level by end of 21th century)
7
Envisaged impacts!

• Sea level rise 15-95 cm by 2100
• More extreme weather (floods and draughts)
• Disturbed global water cycles
• Ecosystems will change locally

8
Impact Ice content 1979-2003
9
A dark future?
Bulgaria around 7 tCO2/capita
19
USA
17
Australia
Canada
15
Norway
13
Denmark
Belgium
Russia
CO2 emissies, tonnen per capita
11
Netherlands
Ukraine
Ireland
9
Finland
UK
Germany
Japan
Sweden
Switzerland
7
Spain
Italy
Korea
5
France
Debt
Sustainable rate
3
Credit
China
1
Nigeria
Vietnam
Chad
Pakistan
Bangladesh
10
Climate policy NOW!

• We have to act now! If impacts become visible, it
  is too late!!
• Without a climate policy about 80 million people
  will be affected by flooding
• Wetlands and coastal areas in Mediterranean,
  Baltic Sea and American Atlantic coast will be
  severely impacted

11
Solutions

• Globally Kyoto Protocol to reduce GHG in
  developed countries in 2008 - 2012 with regard
  to level 1990
• Obligations for developed countries
• BG -8 (level 1988)
• EU -8
• USA stepped outside Kyoto Protocol, aiming for a
  voluntary system
• Russia ratification not sure
• For effectuating protocol coverage of over 55
  needed
• International Kyoto mechanisms emissions trading
  and Joint Implementation
• National policy Not only sticks, also carrots!!
  (NAPCC is being developed)

12
National government

• Examples
• Set a target for renewable energy
• Launch energy efficiency programmes
• Use permitting system
• Raise public awareness
• Etc.

13
Local governments

• Use opportunities such as
• Energy efficient new housing and buildings
• Promote renewable energy
• Stimulate public transport
• Etc.

14
Companies

• Examples
• Set energy efficiency targets
• Energy efficiency means less costs for energy
  per product output
• Provide means for implementing measures
• Energy saving companies
• Decrease subsidised energy prices for companies

15
Households, traffic

• Examples
• Improve insulation and heating systems in houses
• Use energy efficient appliances
• Reduce emissions from transport (efficient cars
  use alternatives)

16
Why actions in Bulgaria

• Climate Change is a global problem
• Ratification of Kyoto Protocol asks for policy
  and measures in place, as well as registries and
  monitoring systems
• Upcoming EU accession will be supported by
  policies (and process) in place following the
  European Climate Change Action Plan
• Climate change and economic development can go
  hand-in-hand
• Bulgaria can benefit from instruments such as
  Joint Implementation and emissions trading,

17
However

• Political priorities in Bulgaria are on other
  than climate change issues
• Institutional capacity needs strengthening
• Awareness can be improved
• Capacity building is needed.

18

• NGOs can contribute to realisation of climate
  change policy!

19
Discussion (1)

• What is the relevance of climate change in the
  Bulgarian situation?
• How does this relate to the current activities of
  NGOs?
• What NGO activities are planned in the field of
  climate change?