Climate change at Copenhagen

by Emily Inglis

The United Nations Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen this December will be an opportunity for the world’s leaders to come to an agreement on climate change action.

The decision to hold the summit was made two years ago in Bali, after an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) 2007 report stressed the need for "quick action" to "avert [worsening] climate impacts".

World leaders have called for a: "Comprehensive, ambitious and fair international deal."

However, recent reports suggest world leaders are not confident a ‘set in stone’ agreement is possible, with US president Barack Obama supporting a Danish plan, aiming for a "first-stage series of commitments" instead of an all-encompassing protocol.

Yet, developments since the 1997 Kyoto Protocol show a new agreement is needed; China is now  the largest emitter of greenhouse gases (GHGs), and the price of oil has soared.

Out of the states that signed the protocol, the notable absence is the US. Fearing it would harm their economy, they have never signed as it would mean they would have to cut down on production to reduce GHG emissions, or purchase expensive equipment to filter toxins. However, on 22 November, The Observer reported that Obama is ready to offer a target for cutting GHG emissions.

It remains unclear if Obama will attend December’s conference, telling Reuters: “If I am confident that all countries involved are bargaining in good faith and we are on the brink of a meaningful agreement and my presence in Copenhagen will make a difference in tipping us over edge, then certainly that’s something I will do.”

Surpassing the US in emissions, China has increased its GHG emissions by 120 per cent over the past decade, whilst Mexico and India rank third and fourth on the list.

In October, India and China signed an agreement to work together on addressing climate change, co-operating on technological development and aiming to reduce GHG emissions. They have also pledged to work together in international climate change negotiations ahead of December’s conference.

A Halt in Economic Growth

Both countries have previously argued that capping their emissions would limit their economic growth, saying that developed countries must play a bigger role in reductions.

On the other hand, Europe is taking positive steps to decrease its carbon footprint. In Denmark, there is now one of the largest offshore wind farms in the world. According to Project 2 Degrees, a company that helps cities around the world reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, these farms power 150,000 Danish households.

Also with more than 36 per cent of the city’s population cycling to work everyday, CO2 emissions are being reduced by approximately 90,000 tons per year. Additionally, 97 per cent of Copenhagen’s heating is supplied by waste heat.

“Denmark makes it easy to be energy-conscious, as the system supports it,” Kay Xander Mellish, Editor of Danske magazine in Copenhagen tells Arts London News: “There are bike lanes all over the city, and buses and trains are clean and run on reliable schedules.  You can choose a ‘natural energy’ electricity company for about the same price as a ‘dirty energy’ deliverer. Car tax is 180 per cent limiting the use of cars that burn a lot of petrol.”

In London, a ’Cycle Hire’ scheme, inspired by the successful Vélib’ cycle programme in Paris, has been introduced by Mayor Boris Johnson. The scheme due to start in May 2010, was one of Johnson’s manifesto promises, along with his plans to make the 2012 Olympic Games the most sustainable the world has ever seen.

Eco-Friendly London

Forum for the Future’s 2008 ‘Sustainable Cities Index’ saw London rank low across the board in comparison to Bristol, Brighton and Plymouth.

In the Future Proofing section outlining the city’s preparation and expected progress, London came twelfth falling six places from 2007. Forum for the Future stated: “London’s poor performance is partially due to poor green businesses performance.”

One of the main contributors to UK CO2 emissions comes from the transport sector, accounting for 33 per cent of the UK’s total emissions. Being the UK’s main transport hub, London accounts for a large portion of aviation and road vehicle emissions.

According to National Air Traffic Services over 4,135 aeroplanes fly in and out of the capital’s five airports everyday. Environmentalists claim that if no action is taken, emissions from aviation will double by 2030 due to the growth in air travel forecast over the next 25 years.

Despite reports claiming the development of the Elephant and Castle area is an enviromentally friendly project, Donnachadh McCarthy, eco-auditor and environmental commentator, told Arts London News: “A ‘Freedom of Information’ request revealed they had no idea if the project involved hundreds or millions of tonnes of CO2 to be emitted. In addition, the council admitted that the project was a zero carbon reduction project,” McCarthy informs that there is a sustainable alternative: “Refurbishment of existing housing can reduce carbon emissions by more than 80 per cent, whilst avoiding the emissions and destruction of resources involved in demolition.”

Efforts are being made, however, to make London’s architecture more eco-friendly; Sheppard Robson design a range of sustainable buildings including universities, offices and museums. They have created sustainable designs and eco-friendly business processes. “It is our policy to positively influence the impact of the built environment on the earth’s resources wherever possible.”

The ‘Stop Climate Chaos Coalition’ made up of 11 million supporters and more then 100 organisations are organising what is said to be ‘the largest demonstration in support of climate justice the UK has ever seen.’ Entitled ‘The Wave’, it will take place 5 December in London, two days before the climate change conference.