Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
sistent policy on climate protection. In the meantime CO
2
emissions have been rising
again in these countries too.
In most Western countries emissions are increasing at the same levels as before
(Figure 2.13). Spain is the worst culprit for this. Because its emissions in 1990,
compared to countries like Germany and the USA, were still comparatively low,
Spain was actually allowed an increase of 15%. However, by 2004 Spain's actual
emissions had already risen by 51%. Only Germany and Great Britain have really
succeeded in achieving signifi cant reductions, although the bulk of the reductions
in Germany are attributed to the upheavals in the former East Germany.
60
%
changes between 1990 and 2006
goals of the Kyoto protocol
50
%
40
%
30
%
20
%
10
%
0
%
-10
%
-20
%
-30
%
-40
%
-50
%
-60
%
-70
%
Figure 2.13
Changes in greenhouse gas emissions with no change in land use between 1990 und
2004 and targets from the Kyoto Protocol.
Data: UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change, 2008).
The USA, which essentially sees no chance of achieving its targets for climate
protection during the next few years, did not even ratify the Kyoto Protocol.
Nevertheless, the very different major changes that individual countries have made
shows just how much can be done to protect the climate. If these plans are taken
seriously, a reduction in greenhouse gases of 50 to 80% by the year 2050 should
be easily achievable.
