Adaptation to climate change: NGOs perspective

Ruta Bubniene Climate Action Network Europe [email protected]

http://www.climnet.org

Climate Action Network – Europe

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Climate Action Network (CAN) is an international network of over 360 NGOs

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CAN-Europe is the European node with more than 100 member organisations

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The Brussels office focuses on EU level policies, observes UN negotiations

1st International ASTRA conference 'Are we aware to cope with climatic changes'

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Who are green 10 Green 10

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Who are green 10

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NGOs networks working for environment

 encourage the full implementation of EU environmental laws and policies in the Member States; lobby for new environmental proposals, as appropriate; work with the EU institutions to ensure that policies under consideration are as environmentally effective as possible;  promote EU environmental leadership in the global political arena.  

Joint Green 10 activities – briefings/position paper/publications

 The Constitutional Treaty The EU’s Sustainable Development Strategy:  European elections: Greening the EU Budget (‘Briefing for the EP on the Financial Perspectives 2007 2013’, ‘Proposed ammendments for LIFE])  Aarhus conventions for EU institutions More info : www.climnet.org/green10.htm

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A Viable Global

Framework

: 3 Tracks 5

Track One:

Kyoto Track

with legally binding emission reductions in subsequent commitment periods Track Two:

Decarbonisation Track

for the developing countries not in the Kyoto Track Track Three:

Adaptation Track

for the most vulnerable countries

Source: WWF 1st International ASTRA conference 'Are we aware to cope with climatic changes'

Track I: Kyoto track

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Legally binding, tradable emission limitations and reduction obligations Deep cuts by industrialised countries through absolute mandatory caps Initially small but increasing number of rapidly industrialising developing countries according to a set of criteria

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Relative per capita emissions, per capita income, historical responsibility, capacity to change/invest KT builds on the heart of the Kyoto Protocol, binding absolute caps on emissions from developed countries and is

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Building experience through European system Base for any serious approaches in the US Precursor for any significant commitments by developing countries

Source: WWF 1st International ASTRA conference 'Are we aware to cope with climatic changes'

EU Leadership in Track I

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EU Credibility at Home

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Meet Kyoto Targets and lay the groundwork for deeper cuts (demonstrable progress)

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ETS review and implementation

  Energy Efficiency Directives Renewables Directive  

Build a EU/China Alliance Build EU/Progressive Americans Alliance

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2020 Targets

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Tackling climate change later – more costly

IPCC 2001: stabilising at 450ppm means cumulative costs between $2.5 trillion and $18 trillion (conservative assumption with $300/t C avoided)     Have to see in the context of 2%/yr economic growth predicted by economists in next 100 years Without global warming action, the world as a whole will be 10 times as rich by 2100, and people on average will be five times as well off Adding in highest costs of warming, would postpone this target by two years Similarly, Kyoto compliance could cost 1% of Annex I GDP, hence meeting Kyoto would mean industrialised countries get 20% richer by June 2010 rather than January 2010.

8 Source Azar & Schneider, 2002. Ecological Economics 1st International ASTRA conference 'Are we aware to cope with climatic changes'

9 Track II: Decarbonisation  Developing countries – to follow a low carbon path to development  Actions and policies should accelerate introduction of clean and sustainable technologies  Availability of resources and technologies from industrial countries  Guided by sustainable development policies and measures  Sectoral carbon intensity target 1st International ASTRA conference 'Are we aware to cope with climatic changes'

Track III: Adaptation

 Meet the needs of key vulnerable regions to assist with adaptation measures  Funded by industrialised countries  Compensation for the unavoidable impacts  Current Kyoto elements as base  Adaptation Fund  Special Climate Change Fund  LDC Fund 10 Source: CAN – International www.climatenetwork.org

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Adaptation in the EU

 Europe mountain regions, coastal zones, wetlands and the Mediterranean region are particularly vulnerable  Some positive effects, but many negative impacts  Existing adaptive measures are concentrated in flood defence  More adaptation measures in public health, water resources and management of ecosystems.

11 Source: EEA, Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change in Europe, Technical report No 7/2005 1st International ASTRA conference 'Are we aware to cope with climatic changes'

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Thank you very much for your attention Climate Action Network – Europe http://www.climnet.org/ Ruta Bubniene, Policy Officer [email protected]

CAN-Europe, Brussels

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