What Next For Climate Change & International Development

Dr Rolph Payet What next for Climate Change & International Development?

Outline
Juxtaposing Sustainable Development & Climate Change
In the interest of Humankind!
Life in 3D
Politics, Power and People
Conclusion: The Future of International Development

WHY IS CLIMATE CHANGE APPARENTLY SO DIFFICULT TO SOLVE?
Juxtaposing Sustainable Development and Climate Change

Scholarly arguments
"Most of the observed increase in globally-averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic GHG concentrations. It is likely there has been significant anthropogenic warming over the past 50 years averaged over each continent (except Antarctica). IPCC 4th Assessment Report, Climate Change 2007
… ., the latest estimates by the IPCC suggest that, for the world as a whole, the harmful effects over the next 50 years or more will barely—if at all—offset the benefits.– Bekerman W., 2002
Sustained economic growth is key to improved environment management – Goldin, I. (EBRD)
Climate change is the greatest and widest-ranging market failure ever seen. The benefits of strong, early action considerably outweigh the costs.– Stern N. (2006)

The political argument
‘ Respect for the environment doesn’t go against economic growth aspirations’ Sarkozy 2008
There may still be disputes about exactly how much we're contributing to the warming of the earth's atmosphere and how much is naturally occurring, but what we can be scientifically certain of is that our continued use of fossil fuels is pushing us to a point of no return. Obama.
"It's a matter of survival for us. If our islands go under, we all go under," said President Anote Tong of Kiribati
"We view associated problems of high frequency of abnormal climate, sea level rise, global warming and coastal degradation as matters affecting the economic and environmental security of all small island states,“ Timothy Harris, foreign minister of the Caribbean

The joe blog argument
‘ It’s snowing like crazy in my garden, who is saying there is global warming?’ Blogger
‘ It’s a scheme to get more tax payer money’ an average US worker.
‘ God is in charge and he will never let this happen’ Elderly pacific islander.
‘ It’s too far away you are talking 2100 – I would not even be there.’ my next door neighbour

The ICARUS Effect
One root cause lies in the fact that present day modern economics/policies does not adequately convey these externalities;
Multidisciplinary and integrated approaches are still uncommon and often too complex;
Many politicians seem to understand the links but remain unsure as to the solutions
Public myopia seems to be linked to social awakening
Failure to drive technological innovation and markets through development

DOES PRESENT DAY ECONOMIC/POLICY SYSTEMS ADEQUATELY COVER ‘EXTERNALITIES’ ?
In the Interest of Humankind! Quote by Ted Turner, billionaire, founder of CNN and major UN donor: “A total population of 250-300 million people, a 95% decline from present levels, would be ideal.”

Stimulating economic growth….
TEV associated with sustainable management > conversion
However conversion still proceeds as private economic benefits are greater.
‘ External’ cost of UK agriculture was $2.6 billion
1992 collapse of NA cod fishery cost $2 billion in income support/re-skilling

HOW DO WE MOVE AWAY FROM SILOS?
Life in 3D

The Earth Dimension
Long-term observations
Changes across temporal & spatial scales
Modelling changes
Driving forces and factors of change
Uncertainties
Searching for signals

But the micro-scale picture
Time series of tide-gauge (blue), TOPEX/Poseidon (green) and reconstructed sea level (red) for Indian Ocean sites. The light blue lines on panel (b) show the time spans of the two separate records for this site (From Church et al., 2006).

The Human Dimension
Piquet 2008 (UNHCR)
Combination of policy and economic failures rather than just natural forces
Receiving states feel responsible to recognise political but not non-political refugees
Hurricane Katrina - XX thousands evacuated but thousands remained trapped
>140 million affected by flooding, with high propensity for return
>146 million affected by drought
SLR the largest potential for migrations – 602 million people
Policy intervention interventions will partly address the issue
Source: UNDP, 2002

Cause-Effect
Global map conflict and migration induced by environmental stressors (Source: WBGU, 2008)

The Development Dimension
Market failure: Richest 20% consumes 86% of all goods and services used and use 58% of energy produced;
Technological shifts - Growth of the global consumer class – 1.7 billion people.
Market driven-growth : Harnessing the power of global advertising - from $257 billion in 1990 to $446 billion in 2000;
Policy Failure - Food waste in the US amounts to $75 billion
Source: UNFPA, UNDP, USDA

Tackling Climate Change Per Capita By State Capita

Failure to Leap North America Europe India 2007 FE ( L/100km ) ~9.5 ~6.7 ~6.5 Engine size 3L to 4L 1.5 to 2.5L <1.5L Diesel Penetration <0.2% ~48% ~20% Manual Transmission <5% ~80% ~70% Average price $27K Euro 24K $8K

In perspective

CAN COPENHAGEN ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE?
Politics, Power & People

AOSIS Position
Stabilise CO2 at 350 ppm
Global average surface temperature increase should be limited to well below 1.5º C above pre-industrial levels
Global greenhouse gas emissions must peak by 2015.
Global CO2 reductions of greater than 85% are required by 2050.
Is that feasible?

Address to Development Priorities
To Sustain global economic growth
Shift to low-carbon energy economy
Implement adaptation measures
Address poverty
Address trade distortions
To Restore and Enhance Natural Capital
Halt Forest Degradation
Restore resilient ecosystems
Protect existing natural capital
Address social equity and basic rights

To Mitigate or To Adapt
Strategies
Financing activities that benefit both objectives – coastal tree planting
Mitigation financing – taxing consumption
Adaptation grants – reduce coastal vulnerability
Mitigation financing which hinders adaptation - biofuel
Adaptation financing which increases GHG – A/C cooling.
Adaption from: http://www.climatechangeecon.net/

Why do SIDS require financing for Mitigation& Adapation Source: Briguglio, 1995

Green Power
Shifting the world onto a low-carbon path could eventually benefit the economy by $2.5 trillion a year. (Stern, 2006)
Unabated climate change could cost the world at least 5% of GDP each year; if more dramatic predictions come to pass, the cost could be more than 20% of GDP.
By 2050, markets for low-carbon technologies could be worth at least $500bn.

Déjà Vu
Disproportionate Wealth creation : Schemes which further enrich the rich and impoverish the poor – e.g. unfair IPR deals.
Improper reflection of externalities in policy: Schemes which cause further environmental damage – some biofuel subsidy schemes.
Green jobs which generates more unsustainable consumption.
Taxes regimes causing welfare losses in the south – unfair long-haul tax on airlines
Carbon trading – schemes which shift the opportunity cost burden to developing countries – some voluntary carbon schemes

HOW CAN INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT DRIVE CLIMATE SOLUTIONS?
The Future of International Development

A Copenhagen Package
Agreement on mechanisms that would lead to ‘effective’ reduction in GHG to 350-400 ppm
Policies/Taxes/Cap & Trade mechanisms which addresses global GHG reduction and reduce trade distortions
Consideration in enhancing/restoring ecosystem value and services in investment projects
Promote creation of sustainable green jobs across the planet
Clear identification of financial/economic benefits of CDM and other trading mechanisms
Apply the precautionary principle in new schemes to finance mitigation
Apply the polluter pay principle and the common but differentiated responsibility principle in financing instruments
Maximise output/returns for adaptation funding
Address risk through financial mechanisms that encourage resilience building and adaptive design & management

Just a thought
“ We are running out of time, and we must combine our resources and know-how to avoid the physical damage and social and economic toll threatening all island societies. We must maintain and restore the natural protection provided by our healthy island ecosystems,” President James Michel of Seychelles said at the launching of the Sea Level Rise Foundation in the city of Rome. ”
James Michel, President of the Republic of Seychelles, Rome 2007

Thank You

What Next For Climate Change & International Development

by Rolph Payet on Jun 06, 2009

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