What happens if kyoto targets are not met

A climate target accepted by the United Nations was to limit temperature increases to two degrees C. Yet the last 10 years has seen a rapid growth in global emissions.

This rise, together with the lack of a comprehensive global agreement, has meant that the target is now unachievable. The world economy will continue to grow. Achieving the two degree target depended on attaining greater and greater efficiency, and lower and lower carbon intensity. But the continuing reliance on fossil fuels to power economies makes such a low carbon world a dream. The chart below compares the progress being made to curb greenhouse gases with what is needed to limit temperature increase to two degrees C.

There would need to be a limitation on the carbon dioxide equivalent CO 2 e concentration in the atmosphere to parts per million.

Predictions are subject to uncertainties. The new policies will likely limit temperature increase to between three and four degrees C. This is a rise that will profoundly change the world as we know it. Most of the abatement is through the purchase of million tonnes of carbon offsets from overseas — rather than by domestic action. Paulina Poplawski-Stephens has worked in the climate change sector for six years in consulting, auditing and carbon credit procurement.

She completed her legal studies in London and her environmental science studies at the University of Guelph, Canada. If you are not an IES member and want to read more of the articles from this journal click here for more information on joining the IES. Sources 1. Trends and projections in Europe EEA Report. Carrington, D, Vaughan, A. The Guardian, 13 December. See, for example, www.

Accessed: 7 January Ruthner, L. Chatterjee, B. EEA Report ibid. The Marrrakech Accords and the Marrakech Declaration.

IPCC, Geneva. Paulina Poplawski-Stephens. February What would be the consequences of not meeting Kyoto carbon targets? Countries included in Annex B to the Kyoto Protocol for the first commitment period and their emissions targets. The EU has already reached agreement on how its targets will be redistributed. This action became effective for Canada on 15 December