Download Sarah Friedland

Sarah Friedland
Whitefish Bay High School
United Kingdom
Second Committee
Economics of Global Warming
Global warming has been an international problem since the 1990s. While many countries
have different needs, it is important that all nations of the world come together to contribute
some solutions to this issues. The United Kingdom is playing a part in preventing global
warming while still staying true to their own interests. The United Kingdom has participated in
all major international conferences on global warming.
On December 11, 1997, 37 industrialized countries, including the United Kingdom, met in
Kyoto, Japan to agree on goals to lower emissions of six greenhouse gases (GHGs). The Kyoto
Protocol was created. The Kyoto Protocol called to reduce the GHGs carbon dioxide, methane,
nitrous oxide, sulfur, hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs) by
a total of 5.2% by 2012. The UK’s national target is to reduce these GHGs 8% by 2012. The
protocol also mandates that aid for developing nations to adapt to changing climate be provided.
In addition, the United Kingdom is individually taking a big part in preventing climate change
by being the first country in the world to make a law to reduce carbon emissions, called the
Climate Change Act. The Climate Change Act was passed by Parliament on November 14,
2007, and then became a law on November 26, 2008. This law shows that the United Kingdom
is committed to their responsibility for lowering emissions globally. Their goal to create a lowcarbon economy in the United Kingdom will be helped by improving carbon management. The
United Kingdom is aiming for a 34% cut in GHG emissions by 2020 and an 80% cut by 2050.
The Climate Change Act requires a minimum charge for single-use carrier bags, measuring of
biofuels, creation of a community energy savings program, the creation of the Committee on
Climate Change (CCC), and starting carbon budgets.
Set up because of the Climate Change Act, the Committee on Climate Change is an
independent group of experts who advises government on carbon budget levels and where
money saving changes can be made. The CCC monitors and reports to Parliament annually the
United Kingdom’s progress towards accomplishing their climate control targets and carbon
budgets. For each carbon budget, the CCC advises suitable balance between action at
international, European, and domestic levels. The Committee on Climate Change also
researches and analyzes climate change and shares information with representatives from across
the United Kingdom to gain input.
The carbon budgets established by the Climate Change Act put an upper limit on greenhouse
gas emissions in the United Kingdom over the 42 year period from 2008 to 2050. Each budget is
over five years to help the country stay on track to reduce the total GHGs emissions 80% by
2050 compared to 1990 levels. Each year, the United Kingdom will attempt to cut their
emissions by 1.7% for the first three budgets. The first budget, from 2008 to 2012, has a total
goal of reducing green house gases 22%. Reduction of 28% is the target for the second budget,
from 2013 to 2017. From 2018 to 2022, the third budget, an aspiration for a decrease of GHGs
by 34% has been set.
A year after the Climate Change Act was created, the United Kingdom took part in a meeting
in Copenhagen, known as the Copenhagen Accord, along with 191 other countries. Involved
countries create 83% of global emissions and make up 75% of global population. Taking place
from December 7-18, 2009, the 192 countries involved with the Copenhagen Accord wanted an
agreement on a strategy for internationally fighting global warming. A climate change deal was
decided on. The climate change deal orders that nations share facts on human-caused emissions
of gases that contribute to climate change. They aim to keep global temperatures from
increasing over 2 degrees Celsius above earlier levels and steer clear of worst expected impacts
of a heating planet.
Although much work has already been done to fight global warming, much more is still
needed. Future agreements are essential to the prevention of global warming and renewable
energy sources will need to be taken into account. Many countries will have to work together to
make a difference. Not one country can help prevent the rising global temperatures alone. The
United Kingdom will continue to work with the rest of the world to ensure that an economically
sound approach to global warming can be accomplished.