Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
3.2
Milestones of the Great Transformation
Building on the Potsdam Memorandum and recent advances in the scientific under-
standing of climate change, the participants of the St James's Symposium identified
as key requirements
an effective and just global agreement on climate change,
low-carbon energy infrastructure and tropical forest protection, conservation
and restoration.
3.2.1
Delivering an Effective and Just Global Agreement on Climate Change
Firm political leadership is
now
crucial. Leadership is primarily required from de-
veloped countries, acknowledging their historical responsibility as well as their fi-
nancial and technological capacity. However, all countries will need to implement
low carbon development strategies.
In this spirit of trust, every country must act on
the firm assumption that all others will also act
.
A long-term commitment under the United Nation Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC) is now urgently required. The global agreement in Co-
penhagen must include the following elements:
1. Acknowledging the compelling evidence of science, we should confine tempera-
ture rise to 2 degrees Celsius to avoid unmanageable climate risks. This can only
be achieved with a peak of global emissions of all greenhouse gases by 2015,
and at least a 50 % emission reduction by 2050 on a 1990 baseline. This in turn
means that developed countries have to aim for a 25-40 % reduction by 2020. A
robust measure of assessing the necessary emission reductions is a total carbon
budget, which should be accepted as the base for measuring the effectiveness of
short-term (2020) and long-term (2050) targets;
2. The creation of carbon prices adopted across large parts of the global economy
combined with measures to lower the price of low carbon energy, especially
in developing countries. Funds raised should be used to provide the necessary
financial support for adaptation;
3. The agreement must acknowledge the priority of developing countries to over-
come poverty while ensuring sustainable development.
3.2.2
Delivering a Low Carbon Energy Infrastructure
Decarbonising our society requires an increase in energy conservation and efficien-
cy, and a revolution in our energy infrastructure
now
. “
The required technological
innovations will not be achieved without an unprecedented partnership between
government and business
”.
Actions in the following areas are needed:
