Climate Change and Carbon Trading

4.3 Climate Change and Carbon Trading

Climate Change

A change in statistical distribution of weather patterns when that change lasts for an extended period of time is climate change.

Fluctuations in weather over short period does not represent climate change. The earth is getting heated day by day in a rapid way due to uncontrolled human activities and ad hoc industrialization.

According to UNFCC (1992), climate change means a change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alerts the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods.

The Intergovernmental Panel on climate change (IPCC) states that most observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid-20^th century is very likely due to the increase in anthropogenic green-house gases concentration via the green-house effect.

Efforts for combatting Climate Change

• Earth Summit, 1992 recognized climate change as a serious issue to be addressed with global effort.
• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate change (UNFCCC), 1992 to which Nepal is a party.
• Under UNFCCC, Kyoto protocol was signed in 1997 A.D. which calls for reducing green-house gases emission to curb global warming.
• Kyoto Protocol came into force on 16 February 2005.
• Conference of Parties (COP) is held every year to address the issues of climate change globally. COP-21 was held in France in 2015 A.D., and Paris Agreement was concluded as a result of global commitment to fight climate change.
• Nationally determined contribution (NDC) in voluntary manner as part and parcel of Paris Agreement. Nepal has made NDC twice, in 2016 and 2020. The second NDC has targeted Nepal to reach Net Zero emission by 2045 A.D.
• Nepal is carrying out various projects for clean development mechanism as provisioned by Kyoto Protocol.
• Green Environment Facility (GEF), Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Loss and Damage Fund, among others as international initiatives for combatting climate change.
• Sustainable Development Agenda, 2059 B.S.
• National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA), 2067.
• National Adaptation Plan (NAP), 2072.
• Local Adaptation Plan for Action (LAPA), 2076.
• National Climate Change Policy, 2076.
• Inter-Ministerial Climate Change coordination committee (IMCCCC) which serve as the key national platform on climate change coordination.
• National Climate Change Council under the chairmanship of Prime Minister.
• Kalapathhar Declaration, 2066 to draw attention of international communities on the issues of climate change.
• Legal provision of mandatory Environment Impact Assessment while carrying out development Programmes and Projects in Environment Protection Act, 2076.
• Forest Act, 2076 enacted for the conservation of forest. Forest helps to absorb carbon, a biggest threat to climate change.
• Current 15^th plan focus on operating development programmers supporting climate change adaption and green economy.

Causes of Climate Change

Man is one among 30 Million species of living beings which share same air, same water and same soil. However, it is human activity which invites climate change. It is caused by:

• Increasing deforestation.
• Over-exploitation of natural resources for human greed.
• Rising emissions of green-house gases from industries, vehicles and buildings.
• Ongoing retreat of the snowcaps of the world ice belts.
• Rising sea levels threatening to submerge many of the world`s island communities.
• Over-use of natural resources such as bio-fuel, forest products to feed increasing population.
• Lack of awareness about climate change and its negative impacts.
• More chemical and other wastes and hazards.
• Electronic waste dumping such as computers and mobile phones.
• Poverty that poor people and poor countries depend on soil for food, the rivers for water and forests for fuel, simply to survive.
• Increasing concentration of green-house gases.
• Excessive burning of fossil fuels.
• Deforestation and increase in amount of pollutants in environment.

Impacts of climate change

Climate change has wide-ranging and significant impacts across various aspects of our environment and society. Here’s an overview:

Environmental Impacts

1. Temperature Increases: Global temperatures are rising, leading to more frequent and severe heatwaves. This affects ecosystems, wildlife, and human health.
2. Melting Ice Caps and Glaciers: The Arctic ice caps and glaciers around the world are melting at an accelerated rate. This contributes to rising sea levels and disrupts habitats for species that depend on ice-covered regions.
3. Sea Level Rise: As polar ice melts and ocean waters expand due to higher temperatures; sea levels are rising. This threatens coastal communities with increased flooding and erosion.
4. Ocean Acidification: Increased CO2 levels are causing oceans to become more acidic, which affects marine life, particularly organisms with calcium carbonate shells or skeletons, like corals and shellfish.
5. Extreme Weather Events: Climate change is linked to more frequent and intense extreme weather events, including hurricanes, droughts, floods, and wildfires.
6. Loss of Biodiversity: Changing temperatures and habitats are causing shifts in species distributions and leading to habitat loss, which threatens biodiversity and can lead to extinctions.

Ecological Impacts

1. Disruption of Ecosystems: Altered temperature and precipitation patterns affect ecosystems and their functioning. For instance, shifting plant and animal ranges disrupt established food chains and ecosystem services.
2. Coral Bleaching: Higher sea temperatures lead to coral bleaching, where corals lose their color and vital symbiotic algae, threatening reef ecosystems that support numerous marine species.
3. Migration Patterns: Many species are shifting their migration patterns in response to changing temperatures and food availability, which can affect predator-prey relationships and ecosystem dynamics.

Societal Impacts

1. Human Health: Increased heat can lead to heat-related illnesses and deaths. Changes in climate can also affect the spread of diseases, such as those transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks.
2. Agriculture: Shifts in temperature and precipitation patterns affect crop yields and can lead to food shortages. Extreme weather events can also damage crops and disrupt food supply chains.
3. Water Resources: Changes in precipitation patterns and melting glaciers impact freshwater availability. Some regions may experience more severe droughts, while others could face increased flooding.
4. Economic Impacts: The costs associated with climate change include damage to infrastructure from extreme weather events, increased healthcare costs, and losses in productivity due to heat and changing resource availability.
5. Displacement and Migration: Rising sea levels and extreme weather can force people to leave their homes, leading to climate refugees and increased pressure on urban areas and resources.
6. Social Inequality: The impacts of climate change are not evenly distributed. Vulnerable populations, including those in developing countries and marginalized communities, often face the greatest risks and have fewer resources to adapt.

Reducing Impacts of Climate Change

Reducing the impacts of climate change involves both mitigating its causes and adapting to its effects. Here are some key strategies:

Mitigation Strategies

1. Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions:

• Renewable Energy: Transition to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

• Energy Efficiency: Improve energy efficiency in buildings, transportation, and industry to lower energy consumption and emissions.

• Electric Vehicles: Promote the use of electric and hybrid vehicles to reduce emissions from transportation.

• Carbon Pricing: Implement carbon pricing mechanisms such as carbon taxes or cap-and-trade systems to incentivize emission reductions.

2. Enhancing Carbon Sequestration:

• Forestry: Protect and restore forests, which act as carbon sinks by absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere.

• Soil Management: Adopt sustainable agricultural practices that improve soil health and increase carbon sequestration.

3. Promoting Sustainable Agriculture:

• Climate-Resilient Crops: Develop and plant crops that are more resistant to changing climate conditions.

• Reduced Emissions: Implement practices such as reduced tillage and improved livestock management to lower methane and nitrous oxide emissions.

4. Developing and Implementing New Technologies:

• Carbon Capture and Storage: Invest in technologies that capture and store CO2 emissions from industrial processes.

• Innovative Energy Solutions: Support research into new technologies for clean energy and energy storage.

5. Promoting Sustainable Practices:

• Waste Reduction: Reduce waste and increase recycling and composting to lower methane emissions from landfills.

• Sustainable Consumption: Encourage lifestyle changes that reduce carbon footprints, such as reducing meat consumption and supporting sustainable products.

Adaptation Strategies

1. Strengthening Infrastructure:

• Resilient Construction: Build or retrofit infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events and rising sea levels.

• Flood Defenses: Invest in flood protection systems, such as levees and flood barriers, to protect vulnerable areas.

2. Enhancing Disaster Preparedness and Response:

• Emergency Planning: Develop and implement comprehensive disaster response plans to prepare for and manage extreme weather events.

• Community Resilience: Support community-based adaptation initiatives to enhance local resilience and preparedness.

3. Protecting Ecosystems:

• Conservation Efforts: Protect and restore critical ecosystems, such as wetlands and mangroves, which provide natural buffers against climate impacts.

• Biodiversity: Implement strategies to preserve biodiversity and support ecosystems in adapting to changing conditions.

4. Managing Water Resources:

• Water Efficiency: Improve water use efficiency in agriculture, industry, and households to address changing water availability.

• Infrastructure Investment: Invest in water infrastructure, such as reservoirs and irrigation systems, to better manage water resources.

5. Supporting Climate-Resilient Agriculture:

• Diversification: Encourage crop and livestock diversification to reduce risks associated with climate variability.

• Technical Assistance: Provide farmers with technical support and information on best practices for adapting to climate changes.

6. Promoting Public Awareness and Education:

• Climate Education: Educate the public about climate change impacts and actions they can take to contribute to mitigation and adaptation efforts.

• Community Engagement: Engage communities in climate action planning and decision-making processes.

Addressing climate change effectively requires a coordinated global effort, involving governments, businesses, communities, and individuals. By combining mitigation and adaptation strategies, we can work towards reducing the adverse impacts of climate change and building a more resilient future.