Informing an Effective Response to Climate Change (2010) / Chapter Skim
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2 Many Different Decision Makers Are Making Choices to Respond to Climate Change
2 Many Different Decision Makers Are Making Choices to Respond to Climate Change
Pages 47-90
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From page 47... ...
. Some have decided to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions or to plan for adapting to the impacts of climate change; some have decided not to act; and others have decided to inform themselves and others about the science, costs, and benefits of climate change and potential responses.
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From page 48... ...
Citizens International citizens Voters, citizen and Voters, citizen networks Individual as voters, networks consumer networks consumers, agents NOTE: CAN, Climate Action Network; ICLEI, Local Governments for Sustainability; NGO, non-governmental organization; RGGI, Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative; UNFCCC, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change; WBCSD, World Business Council for Sustainable Development; WCI, Western Climate Initiative.
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From page 49... ...
STATES, CITIES, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS State and local governments have unique advantages for implementing policies that are intimately linked with the economy and society because of the familiarity with local circumstances and stakeholders. This section illustrates some of the climate actions being taken at the state and local levels.
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calls for reducing 90 percent of the region's greenhouse gas emissions by 15 percent below 2005 levels by 2020. The Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord proposes an economy-wide program to reduce emissions 20 percent below 2005 levels by 2020.
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RGGI: 10 NOTE: MGGRA, Midwest Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord; WCI, Western Climate Initiative; RGGI, Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. SOURCES: Pew Center (2009a)
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Although it is too soon to assess the success of AB-32 in reducing greenhouse gas emissions (and there is some opposition to repeal AB-32) , California has already limited emissions growth through earlier regulations and investments.
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Making Choices to Respond to Climate Change Residents evacuate due to wildfires in Southern California. SOURCE: Dan Steinberg, AP Photo.
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. In addition, California is collaborating with the United Kingdom on emission reductions (California State, 2006)
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For example, if state emissions reductions are greater than those established under a national cap-and-trade system, the federal emission allowances for state reductions could be retired rather than freed up to be used in other states. State decision makers have information needs that include detailed data on greenhouse gas emissions down to the local level, regional projections of how climate change may affect their jurisdiction, and information on the distribution of costs and benefits of climate impacts, emission reductions, and adaptation options.
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From page 56... ...
Among counties taking early action on climate change are King County, Washington (see Box 2.2) ; Fairfax and Arlington counties, Virginia; Nassau County, New York; Miami-Dade, Florida; and Cook County, Illinois; with most pledging to reduce emissions 80 percent by 2050 and with a request to the federal government to raise fuel economy standards to 35 mpg.
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From page 57... ...
The Impact of State and Local Government Action Many states, cities, and local governments have taken both political and practical action to limit the magnitude of and adapt to climate change, showing leadership nationwide. As a result of these actions, 53 percent of Americans now live in a jurisdiction that has enacted a greenhouse gas emissions cap (Lutsey and Sperling, 2008)
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From page 58... ...
By 2003, as chief executive of King County, Simms was able to create a county inventory of greenhouse gas emissions and to appoint a county program manager for climate change. In 2005, Simms decided to begin planning for adaptation, even though he was ahead of both public opinion and that of the King County Council and its staff.
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From page 59... ...
greenhouse gas emissions in 2007 resulted from electricity generation from fossil fuels and from fossil fuel–based transport, both associated with some of the countries largest corporations, including oil companies, utilities, appliance manufacturers, and the auto industry.3 Whether emissions are assigned to sectors (e.g., energy, agriculture, or industrial processes) , electrical utilities, business supply chains, or to consumers, it is clear that corporate America is intricately linked to greenhouse gas emissions and thus to actions and policies to reduce them.
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From page 60... ...
. The business sector is also vulnerable to climate change impacts.
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Climate Action Partnership (USCAP) , which promote politically feasible and profitable ways to reduce greenhouse gases.
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Through such partnerships, HSBC is educating 100,000 HSBC employees about climate change, supporting the work of conservation organizations to limit the impacts of climate change on cities, people, forests, and water, and encouraging low carbon consumption and the development of environmentally friendly products and services. • Establishment of the Climate Change Center of Excellence, which evaluates the implica tions of climate change for the HSBC Group, acts as a central source of climate knowledge, and supports the implementation of the firm's carbon finance strategy.
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From page 63... ...
The impact of business decisions to respond to climate change should be measured not only in terms of their greenhouse gas emissions reductions but also in terms of their choices about adaptation, energy efficiency, and technology investments and innovations. Although there are some good case studies of business adaptation to climate change -- especially in the insurance sector -- there are few measures of how well business is adapting to climate change in the United States.
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From page 64... ...
Lawrence Cement Global GHG reductions Intensity Global GHG reduction of 16% per ton of 20% per ton of cementious cementious product product by 2012 from 2000 to 2006 Alcoa - - Reduce total US GHG by 4% from 2008 to 2013
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From page 65... ...
27% GHG reduction per Intensity Reduce total US GHG unit of production from emissions by 5% from 2005 2000 to 2005 to 2012 Pfizer Inc. Reduction of global Intensity Reduce total US GHG GHG by 43% per $ emissions by 20% from 2007 million revenue 2002- to 2012 2008 Roche and US Affiliates Total US GHG reduction Absolute Total US GHG reduction of 11% from 2001 to 2006 15% by 2010 continued
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- - Reduce global GHG emissions by 15% per dollar and maintain net global zero emissions to 2010 Banking HSBC North America First carbon neutral Absolute (with offsets) Reduce total US GHGs by bank (global)
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From page 67... ...
In December 2008, a second group of global financial institutions -- including Credit Agricole, HSBC, Munich Re, Standard Chartered, and Swiss Re -- announced their adoption of the Climate Principles, a set of commitments on climate business strategies developed by The Climate Group6 that include developing financial products and services to help clients manage climate risk and opportunity, incorporating climate change issues into research activities, and considering "practical ways to assess the carbon and climate risks" of lending and investment activities. The choice to consider climate risks in investment decisions has important implications for both private and public information systems and raises the bar for all providers of such information including the federal government to ensure the accuracy, legitimacy, and transparency of information that is being used by the business community and other actors.
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. Lobbies for strong inclusion of business as agents of solutions Greenpeace USA Independent global Position based mainly on "bearing campaigning organization; witness" to environmental strong advocacy position, destruction; commissions science nonviolent direct action, reports and has some in-house capabilitiesc lobbying, diplomacy carries out research with others such as WRI National Audubon Society Supports mandatory measures Less research, more focused on to reduce GHGs in the context direct policy lobbying for federal of supporting ecosystems for protection of lands birds and other wildlife.
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and to centers lobby government (at different levels) for GHG reductions.
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over 300 lawyers plus scientists courtroom action backed by to be effective action group in-house science and economic to pushing for new state and analysis federal laws to cap pollution, to partnering with business and industry to boost energy efficiency and championing the widespread use of clean energyd The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Largest eNGO by revenue.
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major business footprint calculator Part of World Bank interests for people and REDD initiatives organizations Campaigning and Large public education Not clear policy on Not clear forming partnerships aspect considering carbon markets with other eNGOs. Sierra Club outings, Less direct corporate website, and social partnerships.
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From page 72... ...
environmental NGOs to the climate change agenda, such as generating peer-reviewed articles, establishing pilot projects on climate adaptation, or educating the media and the public on climate issues. Some NGOs provide instructions on how to reduce emissions through energy efficiency or offer offsets to their members.
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This section describes the climate decision-related activities of the federal government and how they have changed over time. History of the Federal Role in Climate Change Decision Making Federal involvement in climate change issues began in earnest in 1978 when the National Climate Program Act was passed to support both climate research and policy recommendations to "assist the Nation and the world to understand and respond to natural and human-induced climate process and their implications" (P.L.
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, greenhouse gas monitoring, methane management Commerce Information provision through National Weather Service; NOAA climate research and information through labs, cooperative institutes and grants, climate observations and monitoring; Post regulation of carbon emissions: may need to consider trades implications of carbon content of imported goods Congress and Senate Development and review of major policy including climate change and energy legislation Council on Environmental Quality Development and coordination of environmental and energy policy. Oversight of October 2009 Executive Order that requires Federal agencies to set a 2020 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target within 90 days Defense Management of defense lands, U.S.
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system including atmospheric composition, carbon, water, land use, and climate variability National Science Foundation Research into atmospheric composition, climate, carbon, water, ecosystems, human dimensions, and education Office of Science and Technology Policy Advice on science and technology policy, assessments Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy Coordinate administration policy on energy and climate change Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Consider carbon and climate disclosure requirements for publically traded companies State International treaties Transportation Research on impacts of climate on infrastructure, energy efficiency, emissions; financing alternative mass transit a Departments of Education, Justice, Labor, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs do not yet have major programs focused on climate change (but may do so in the future)
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program, which provides climate information to regional stakeholders; • NASA's remote sensing imagery, which shows decision makers the rapid shrinking of ice sheets and other climate effects; • NSF's research centers on decision making under uncertainty; • DOE's integrated assessments; • EPA's research on climate change impacts; and • the International Research Institute for Climate and Society, which focuses on enhancing society's ability to understand, anticipate, and manage the impacts of climate fluctuations.
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; • directed studies by Congressionally chartered non-profit organizations; • directed studies performed by congressional staff, and legislative fellows; and • personal study by members and staff. Passive information gathering comes to members or committees uninvited (public "push")
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, climate policy (RL34513) , climate science (RL34266)
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Their reports are based on the scientific literature, interviews, and surveys of agencies, and they often provide testimony directly to congressional committees. "For the user, we need an accessible go-to entity we can count on to help us sift through the everchanging science, gather the raw data, benchmark against the experience of others, educate our publics, and work with us in assessing our vulnerabilities." David Behar, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and Water Utility Climate Alliance, May 5, 2009 "It is critical to communicate information on climate risks and adaptation strategies to the agricultural community.
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The panel judges that poor coordination between the federal agencies is limiting the effectiveness of the national response to climate change. Future synergies between the Executive branch and Congress may help establish clear agency responsibilities as well as ensure regular evaluation and assessment of federal climate change policies.
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economy, although it has not stopped increases in U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
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Industries that reduce greenhouse gas emissions receive government recognition. • Climate VISION.
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Evaluating the effectiveness of federal choices and action relies on robust and up-todate information systems such as monitoring climate impacts and greenhouse gases further addressed in Chapters 5 and 6. For example, there is very little information on the impacts of voluntary energy and emission reduction programs or on the effectiveness of adaptation measures taken to date.
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From page 84... ...
,9 alleging that Exxon Mobil and other energy companies have contributed to global warming, which will require an Inupiat village to incur hundreds of millions of dollars in expenses to relocate. Some state attorneys general have filed public nuisance lawsuits against power companies and automobile manufacturers, alleging that greenhouse gas emissions from their activities and products contribute to global warming and harm the states' environment, economies, and citizens.10 After Hurricane Katrina, Mississippi property owners sued oil, coal, and chemical companies, alleging that their activities contributed to climate change and magnified the effects of the hurricane.11 Enterprising attorneys and interest groups are focusing on securities law as a basis to identify an entity's greenhouse gas emissions and its actions to limit its potential exposure.
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From page 85... ...
These injuries range from heat-related deaths and respiratory illness, to erosion, crop damage, inundation of coastal properties, harm to water supplies from salt water, damage to commercial shipping from reduction in water levels, and prospective harm from impacts of more severe weather events. Given that climate change may involve the cumulative effects of more than a century of emissions, tying one defendant's emissions (or even an entire industry's)
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From page 86... ...
organizations are making decisions and taking actions in response to the risks of climate change, including a wide range of non-federal actors. Although the federal government shoulders much of the responsibility for making decisions on responding to climate change, state and local governments, business, NGOs, and the courts are all playing an increasingly important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, informing citizens, planning for adaptation, and even carrying out scientific research.
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From page 87... ...
However, emission reduction commitments have not necessarily been fully implemented; few data exist on aggregated impacts or on the possibility for scaling up local and state action. Inconsistent and incomplete reporting makes it difficult to compare different targets and baselines for emission reductions to monitor the effectiveness of the response.
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This could include aggregating and disseminating "best practices" with a web-based clearinghouse, creating ongoing assessments to enable regular exchange of information, and plans among relevant federal agencies, regional researchers, decision makers, NGOs, and concerned citizens. Recommendation 2: To maximize the effectiveness of responses to climate change across the nation, the federal government should a)
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From page 89... ...
Making Choices to Respond to Climate Change b Enhance non-federal activities that have proven effective in reducing green house gas emissions and adapting to the projected impacts of climate change through incentives, policy frameworks, and information systems; and c) Ensure that proposed federal policies do not unnecessarily preempt effective measures that have already been taken by states, regions, and the private sector.
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