January 2005

Confusion Over Climate Change

Climate change continues to dominate the headlines and it seems clear that the world's understanding of the issues continues to be confused, as does the approach to improving the situation and reducing the global impact.

Kyoto and Beyond

The Kyoto Protocol on fighting climate change is to become a legally binding treaty on 16 February, after Russia handed official ratification papers to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in Nairobi in November. Russia's accession gives Kyoto support from countries that emit at least 55% of the world's greenhouse gases.

Even as most of the developed world, the notable exception being the USA, look to implement the Kyoto Protocol, climate experts and politicians have been meeting in Buenos Aires to discuss policies they believe may be needed beyond the Kyoto Protocol. Delegates in Argentina are discussing how the treaty could be strengthened and developed in the future.

The USA

In November 2004, Margaret Beckett said "There is a chance America could change its stance on global warming despite George Bush's re-election." She believes that public opinion was bringing change regardless of who had won the presidential election. Unfortunately this belief is not shared by many people in the USA and Myron Ebell, from a Washington based think tank, said "US policy would not change."

Effectiveness of the Climate Change Levy

A recent study by the University of Warwick and the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) assessed emissions from burning fossil fuels and concluded that the Climate Change Levy must double in the next five years to have any impact on pollution. Co-author of the report, Dr Catherine Mitchell, from the University, said long-term climate policy must prevail when it clashes with market pressures. The report also stated that the Government must get its own house in order to be credible when leading action on climate change through the G8. The Government will find it difficult to persuade other world leaders to sign up to ambitious commitments if it cannot show that Britain is leading by example.

Renewable Energy

The IPPR report, titled "The Burning Question", also states that it believes that business lobbyists have persuaded the Government to water down the UK's commitments under the new EU Emissions Trading Scheme. Tony Grayling, IPPR Associate Director, said: "The UK's business lobby must not be allowed to stand in the way of tackling the most serious long-term global threat to humanity."

The IPPR has proposed a number of measures including allowing electricity generated at home to be sold to the National Grid and giving more support to renewable energy such as wave and tidal power.

Dr Mitchell said: "Development of the UK as a low-carbon economy requires fundamental changes to the energy system, not just tinkering with the existing structures."

More Confusion Than We can Cope With?

Given all the confusion and differences of opinion at Governmental and academic forums, it is not surprising that the general public continue to be confused by climate change, global warming and the activities that they are funding through taxes to address the issues. There are many who are still not sure that there are any issues to address. Clarity will only come when politics and economics take a back seat to the needs of the environment.

Pro Enviro has extensive experience in developing strategies for organisations to face up to their environmental responsibilities and would be pleased to discuss these with you at your convenience, contact Steve Stones.

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