Carbon Management Plan in the UK - Term Paper Example

? Carbon Management Supervisor] Carbon Management In basic terms carbon management has been defined as aguide to help various organizations and government institutions manage the six greenhouse gases that had been defined within the Kyoto Protocol. The six gases comprise of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulphur hexafluoride, Hydro-fluorocarbons and per-fluorocarbons. Of all these gases however, the most prominent and widely produced on a large scale is carbon dioxide (Dell, 2013). Over the past few years organizations around the world have been making an attempt to reduce their carbon emissions and carbon footprint in an attempt to not only make their organizations environmental friendly, but also try and cut down operation cost without having to make compromises to the profits that the company is making or the on the operations that are carried out within that company (Dell, 2013). UK policy: Recent years have seen a significant increase in the U.K legislation’s focus towards reduction in carbon emissions. A number of government departments across U.K have seen adopt and implement greener processes and equipment to help reduce carbon emissions. In 2008, the UK Climate Change Act proposed a target regarding the reduction in carbon emission levels of the country. Through the Act the government obtained its first target for the year 2020 in which the government has taken upon itself to reduce carbon emissions by at least 34%. Along with a short term target the Act also has provided the British government with a long term target for the year 2050 where its target of carbon reduction is 80% (DWP, 2013). The Act provided the basis for a number of legislations such as the CRC EES (CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme), which makes it mandatory for each and every sector to purchase a certain amount of carbon allowances every year (DWP, 2013). In addition to this, the government has made it compulsory for all government departments to adhere to the carbon reduction targets that have been provided to them. These targets are in terms of energy consumption, transportation as well as in terms of solid and water waste (DWP, 2013). The table below shows the sources of carbon dioxide emissions, within U.K, in metric tonnes since 1995. Finally in order to promote the idea of carbon reduction all buildings that cover an area of at least 1000 square meters and provide public access are legally bound to procure a DEC (Display Energy Certificate). DEC rates each building between a scale of A and G with A representing a building with the lowest amount of carbon emissions and G representing a building with the highest amount of carbon emissions (DWP, 2013). Year Energy Supply Transport Business Residential Other 1990 241 120 113 79 39 1995 210 120 107 81 36 2000 203 125 107 87 31 2005 216 129 97 84 27 2008 213 125 90 80 23 2009 190 121 79 75 17 2010 195 119 79 87 18 2011 182 117 76 66 17 2012 192 116 79 74 18 Source: (Department of Energy and Climate, 2013) Climate change: Climate change is a phenomenon that leads to a significant change in the temperature of Earth over a period of time. Climate change occurs due to numerous factors for example natural phenomenon such as a variation in solar radiation that hits the earth increase the temperature of the planet. However, over the past few years’ human activities have also contributed to the increase in the overall temperature of the globe. These factors are have collectively been categorized under the heading of global warming (Houghton, 2004). Global warming in its basic terms is the steady increase in earth’s temperature mainly due to the greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons and other pollutants. Due to the increase in greenhouse gases the past few years have been the warmest over a period of hundred years. The effects of global warming are not just related to the overall temperature of the planet, but can cause a wide range of physical as well as social impacts (Oxlade, 2003). Experts believe that with the changes that are being experienced within the climate due to global warming could have disastrous implications on the overall resources of the world. The table below presents the annual global temperature anomalies that were experienced from 1970 till 2012 (NOAA, 2012). From the graph below it is clear that the greatest anomaly in temperature in the past 52 years was observed in 2010. The second highest was observed in 2005 and the third highest in 1998. Of the top ten years to suffer the greatest temperature anomaly nine have occurred after 2000 (NOAA, 2012). The increase in anomaly within the overall global temperature over the past decade or so is an indication of how grave the situation is regarding global warming. Moreover in 2012 there have been over 10 major climatic events that have occurred within the time span of one year (NOAA, 2012). Year Temperature anomalies (°C) 1970 0.07 1971 -0.03 1972 0.05 1973 0.19 1974 -0.04 1975 0.02 1976 -0.06 1977 0.17 1978 0.1 1979 0.18 1980 0.23 1981 0.26 1982 0.15 1983 0.32 1984 0.12 1985 0.11 1986 0.19 1987 0.33 1988 0.34 1989 0.27 1990 0.39 1991 0.36 1992 0.23 1993 0.26 1994 0.32 1995 0.45 1996 0.31 1997 0.51 1998 0.63 1999 0.45 2000 0.43 2001 0.55 2002 0.605 2003 0.61 2004 0.57 2005 0.64 2006 0.58 2007 0.57 2008 0.505 2009 0.58 2010 0.66 2011 0.53 2012 0.56 Source: (NOAA, 2012) Source: (NOAA, 2012) Kyoto protocol: The increase in carbon emissions and frequent fluctuations within the global annual temperature led the developing countries into formulating Kyoto Protocol in 1997 (United Nations 2003). The Protocol cited developed nations such as United States, Japan, Canada, Russia and European Union as the main contributors to the greenhouse gas emissions. The protocol imposed binding obligations on all participating countries regarding the pollutants that these countries produced (United Nations, 2003). There has been great debate about the success of the protocol. A number of experts consider the protocol to be one of the greatest achievements regarding the preservation of environment and reduction of greenhouse gases. The protocol was the first major agreement between developed countries that was related to protecting the environment from harmful pollutants. Furthermore, the protocol provided a much needed base on which further policies can be formed (Bohringer, 2003). However, there are some experts that feel that the protocol is greatly flawed and fails to achieve any significant results. Most of the protocol’s critics believe that there is nothing substantial that the protocol could do to reduce carbon emission. The protocol’s implementation is considered not only practically and politically impossible, but could provide little economic efficiency to a country that adopts it (McKibbin & Wilcoxen, 2002). As mentioned above, under Kyoto Protocol industrialized countries have committed themselves to reducing carbon emissions within their nation. The protocol sets a target for each of these nations and provides them with a certain time period during which they are to achieve these targets (Faure et al., 2003). The first commitment period lasted from the year 2008 till 2012 and the second started in 2013 and is to end in 2020. There are some countries such as Japan, Russia and New Zealand that had participated initially in the Protocol, but backed out after the first commitment period ended. These countries refrained from taking on targets for the second commitment period. The treaty has been accepted by almost all major countries except the United States. United States is the only developing country that hasn’t ratified the Protocol, a factor that many believe is hindering the wide acceptance of the Protocol (McKibbin & Wilcoxen, 2002). Role and Responsibilities of Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) The Department of Environment and Climate Change is charged with the responsibility of ensuring the supply and management of secure and clean energy in the UK, which is also affordable and is environmental friendly (DECC, 2013). The role of the Department of Environment and Climate Change is highlighted under the key responsibility areas of the Department. These responsibilities have been presented by the Department on its official website (DECC, 2013). A brief overview of each role and responsibility of the Department has been provided in the following table: S. No. Responsibility Area Description 1 Energy Security The Department is responsible to ensure that corporate and domestic consumers are supplied with sufficient sources of energy so that their respective needs are met (DECC, 2013). 2 Climate Change For the purpose of protecting the climate, the Department is responsible to implement and assist policies and plans of the Government to help protect the environment, and to introduce and promote green energy projects (DECC, 2013). 3 Renewable Energy The Department is also charged with the responsibility of reducing GHG emissions in the UK (DECC, 2013). 4 Affordability It is the responsibility of the Department to deliver energy supplies which are of low cost (DECC, 2013). 5 Fairness The Department is also responsible for ensuring fair distribution of the energy resources in a manner that customers who are deprived are given due care and importance (DECC, 2013). 6 Supporting Growth It is the responsibility of the Department to deliver its policies in a manner which helps in transmitting the benefits to the overall economy of the UK through creating jobs, inviting investments and promoting growth of the green energy sector (DECC, 2013). 7 Energy Management The Department is also charged with the responsibility of energy supplies management in a manner, which is secure, safe, and cost effective (DECC, 2013). In addition to these above mentioned roles and responsibilities, the Department is also operating to improve, increase and invite investment in the energy sector of the United Kingdom. In this regard, the Department has set its aim at the framework, which will be determined in light of the Energy Bill, to determine the raising of GBP 110 billion in the next 10 years to help improve and expand the energy infrastructure in the UK (DECC, 2013). Moreover, as mentioned earlier, the Department is keen to promote green energy production and consumption in the UK, through which energy consumers will be benefited by way of paying bills lower than they are paying at present (DECC, 2013). In addition to these roles assumed by the Department, the DECC has expanded its boundaries of operations from the domestic management and improvement of energy and electricity infrastructure to the international arena (DECC, 2013). The international operations and actions taken by the DECC are being enforced in the European Union region and other regions, which are primarily aimed at targeting the issues pertaining to energy conservation, security and dealing with the increasing threats to climate (DECC, 2013). Theories on carbon management: The Development Research Center (DRC) (2009) state council of China provides a theoretical framework which would help nations with the process of carbon management without causing any harm to its neighbouring countries or to itself. The study suggests that the emission entitlements should be provided to participating countries that would be calculated on the basis of per capita principle (DRC, 2009). In addition to this, real carbon emissions, traded emissions and emission entitlements could be used to help draft a national emission account that would allow the government of that country to assess the progress that is being achieved by the country towards its carbon reduction goal (DRC, 2009). Jahan and Saha (2004) suggested implementing game theory to the concept of carbon management. They suggest that when broken down in its simplest form the problem of tackling global warming is similar to the prisoner’s dilemma. Prisoner’s dilemma is a concept which has Nash equilibrium and players refrain from cooperating with each other in a way that can be described as being socially sub-optimal (Jahan & Saha, 2004). Countries in such a scenario have the option of polluting as low as they wish however, under Nash equilibrium countries opt with polluting more than it is feasible (Jahan & Saha, 2004). NHS framework and green hospitals: To reduce carbon emissions and help cope with the changing environmental laws imposed by the government, a certain framework needs to be developed that would act as guidance for organizations and its employees (Percy, 2003). NHS developed one such similar framework. The framework developed by NHS revolves around the implementation of policies that are based on scientific research and based on the needs of masses. Furthermore the framework provides an encouraging boost to innovative ideas that are put forward by employees. In addition the framework tries to achieve emission targets without having to compromising on economic performance (Percy, 2003). Green hospitals are a concept that has seen significant popularity in Europe and especially in Germany. The main focus of green hospitals is to efficiently make use of energy that is provided to hospitals and implement the most efficient process in waste management. Green hospitals in a manner greatly depend upon the technological equipment and processes that are present (Evrard & Bodart, 2011). Green hospitals reduce emissions by implementing technological measures during the planning phase of the building. Measures are taken to ensure that the heating and ventilation systems of the building emit minimum carbon emissions. Finally such institutes make a great deal of savings regarding their energy use (Evrard & Bodart, 2011). In comparison it is evident that both methods i.e. framework proposed by NHS and processes implemented by green hospitals make use of technology and innovation regarding the implementation of carbon management. Moreover the fundamentals used by both approaches focus on reduction in carbon emissions through implementing energy efficient procedures. List of References Bohringer, C., 2003. The Kyoto Protocol: A review and Perspectives. Oxford Review Of Economic Policy, pp.451-66. DECC, 2013. What we do. Research. London: DECC DECC. Dell, K., 2013. Carbon Management Plan. Research. London: DECC DECC. Department of Energy and Climate, 2013. 2012 UK Greenhous gas emissions, provisional figures and 2011UK Greenhous gas emissions. London: Department of Energy and Climate Department of Energy and Climate. DRC, 2009. Greenhouse gas emissions reduction A theoretical framework and global solution. In East Asia Forum Quarterly: Copenhagen and beyond. New York: East Asia Forum. pp.389-408. DWP, 2013. Carbon Management Plan. Research. London: DWP DWP. Evrard, A. & Bodart, M., 2011. Architecture & Sustainable Development. Louvian-la-Neuve: Presses univ. de Louvain. Faure, M.G., Gupta, J. & Nentjes, A., 2003. Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol: The Role of Institutions and Instruments to Control Global Change. Camberley: Edward Elgar. Houghton, J.T., 2004. Global Warming: The Complete Briefing. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Jahan, A. & Saha, R., 2004. Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A mitigation approach through Game theory. In National Seminar on Climate Change Impact and Adaptation. Ghazipur, 2004. Center for Climate Change and Sustainability Research. McKibbin, W.J. & Wilcoxen, P.J., 2002. The Role of Economics in Climate Change Policy. Journal of Economic, pp.107-29. NOAA, 2012. Global Analysis - Annual 2012. Research. Ashvielle: National Climatic Data Center National Climatic Data Center. Oxlade, C., 2003. Global Warming. Mankato: Capstone. Percy, J., 2003. Carbon Reduction and the NHS. Research. London: Gleeds Gleeds. United Nations, 2003. Kyoto Protocol. [Online] Available at: [Accessed 11 October 2013]. Read More