Published: 08 Oct 2007
- Emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) from
international aviation and maritime transport
could be included in a successor to the
Kyoto Protocol, according to a workshop
in Oslo last week.
The first commitment period of the Kyoto
Protocol sets outs cuts in emissions of
certain gases by 2012, after which new commitments
are needed. Emissions from international
aviation and shipping are the fastest growing
source of greenhouse gases. EU carbon dioxide
emissions from international aviation and
navigation have increased by 96 % and 50
%, respectively, between 11000 and 2005.
However, both sectors are exempt from the
Kyoto Protocol.
Developed countries are instead requested
to work through two UN bodies, the International
Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the
International Maritime Organization (IMO)
to limit emissions from these sectors. The
ICAO and the IMO have had little success
in cutting emissions from the two sectors
and there has been a great deal of debate
surrounding their exclusion from the Kyoto
Protocol.
The Oslo workshop, co-organised by the
Norwegian government and EEA, focused on
identifying potential technical obstacles
to including international aviation and
shipping from future international commitments
to limit climate change. The workshop found
that no genuine technical obstacles existed
that could not be solved.
'If we are going to meet the long term
targets of minimizing global warming to
a maximum of two degrees Celsius, emissions
from international aviation and shipping
have to be included in future international
agreements like those from all other sectors,'
said Jeff Huntington, head of the environmental
assessment programme at the EEA.
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Experience 'Changing Climate — Changing
People' during The Night of Culture in Copenhagen
2007
Published: 09 Oct 2007 - For the second
year in a row, the European Environment
Agency in Copenhagen opens its doors to
the public during The Night of Culture on
Friday 12 October. In recognition of the
International Polar Year, climate change
and the impact on the Arctic is the overall
theme.
The Night of Culture is the yearly event,
where institutions such as museums, the
zoo, ministries and other public bodies
in Copenhagen open their doors to citizens.
'We wish to improve our visibility amongst
the local population and engage citizens
in discussions about EU environmental priorities.
We want to make EU more accessible for citizens
and on The Night of Culture, we aim to reach
the environmental ministers of the future.
Therefore, we have put together a programme,
which specifically targets families', says
EEA head of communications Marion Hannerup.
Among many activities, children can meet
their television idol from Danish natural
science programmes and watch a theatre performance
based on the Danish storyteller H.C. Andersen's
fairytale, 'The Snow Queen'. At the same
time, their parents can enjoy the photo
exhibition 'Changing Climate — Changing
People' by a Pulitzer Prize winning photographer.
