decision making process regarding climate change regulation in
DESCRIPTION
AbstractThis working paper seeks to contribute to the debate about the role of The European Environment Agency and it is argued that in order to capture a fuller picture of their functioning, we need to go beyond a legal framework (legislation from European Commission as Green and White papers), taking into account institutional features that involve both formal and informal processes. The inception of the European Environment Agency (EEA) was in 1991. Over the years the EEA has become a more loyal partner to the European Commission in the European administrative system, balancing the ability to have a credible voice on the one hand and the need for stability and a secure resource supply on the other. The Agency has also been able to meet increasing demands for information without a similar scale of increase in resources, also pointing to efficiency gains within the organisation. In the Agency we strive to give value for money across an enormous environmental agenda. This is essential in today's climate of increased financial pressure and the growing number of organisations working on environmental issues.To contribute directly to European Union (EU) policy developments on climate change impacts by refining relevant indicators, producing assessments, combined with socio-economic factors in Europe, using past trends, now casting, spatial analysis, forward looking assessments, and policy effectiveness analysis including economic aspects.Key-words: European Union; European Environment Agency; Climate change; Decision-making;TRANSCRIPT
The planet is not ours; it is the treasure we hold in trust for future generations.
Kofi Annan, President of the Global Humanitarian Forum, January 2009
You control yourself?
We are alone?
Follow your way?
Who got the power? Who decides?
What we can do?
Kuala Lumpur, 2010
Decision-making process regarding climate change regulation in European Union 2009-2013.
The role of European Environment Agency
Eduardo Oliveira Eduardo Oliveira
OctoberOctober 2010 2010University of MinhoSchool of Economics
and Management
ÍndexÍndex
Brief introduction; Overview;
Climate change as global issue;European Environment
Agency;Decision – making process; Decision – making actions;
After words;Credits.
The European Environment The European Environment Agency (EEA)Agency (EEA)
The Climate SystemThe Climate System
OCEAN
PrecipitationSea-ice
LAND
Ice- sheetssnow
Biomass
Clouds
Solarradiation
Terrestrialradiation
Greenhouse gases and aerosol
ATMOSPHEREThe Met.Office Hadley Centre
Source: IPCC, 2001
‘‘ClimateClimate’ is the long-term atmospheric ’ is the long-term atmospheric conditions, ‘conditions, ‘weatherweather’ ’ varies constantly; varies constantly;
Changes in climate are natural: Changes in climate are natural: After the last ice age (11,500 years ago) After the last ice age (11,500 years ago)
global temperatures were 5°C lower than global temperatures were 5°C lower than now;now;
BUT... BUT... We are now experiencing temperature We are now experiencing temperature
rises at unprecedented speed;rises at unprecedented speed;
Scientists believe that Scientists believe that human activities are human activities are responsible...responsible...
Climate change:Climate change:The scientific evidence is The scientific evidence is conclusiveconclusive
Source: IPCC, 2001
What is climate change?What is climate change? Gases in the Earth’s atmosphere Gases in the Earth’s atmosphere trap heat;trap heat;
Emissions are Emissions are increasing due to human activity;increasing due to human activity;
The build-up of gases leads to The build-up of gases leads to long-term long-term warming = warming = climate change;climate change;
Greenhouse gases are emitted naturally;Greenhouse gases are emitted naturally;
BUT human activity is increasing emissionsBUT human activity is increasing emissions
Changes in behaviour can reduce emissions...YOU, Changes in behaviour can reduce emissions...YOU, EU, UN...EU, UN...
Source: IPCC, 2001
Warming world - Climate Change Global-average surface temperature increased by about 0.6 ºC
over 20th century;
1990s warmest decade and 1998 warmest year in last 1000
years;
Over last 50 years night-time minimum temperatures
increased by about 0.2 ºC;
10% reduction in snow cover ice since late 1960s;
Reduction of about two weeks in annual duration of lake
and river ice;
Widespread retreat of mountain glaciers during 20th century;
Northern Hemisphere spring and summer sea-ice extent
decreased by 10-15%;
Global-average sea level has increased by 10-20 cm during
20th century;
0.5-1% per decade increase in Northern Hemisphere mid-
latitude precipitation during 20th century;
2-4% increase in frequency of heavy precipitation events in
Northern Hemisphere mid- and high-latitudes over latter half of
20th century ;
Source: IPCC, 2001
Europe’s temperatures have risen by Europe’s temperatures have risen by 1°C since 1°C since
1850;1850;
Another 1.2°C could mean irreversible, large-Another 1.2°C could mean irreversible, large-
scale and potentially catastrophic scale and potentially catastrophic
environmental change;environmental change;
Extreme weather events – storms, floods,
droughts and heat waves – becoming more
frequent and more severe;
90% of natural disasters in Europe since 1980
caused by weather and climate;
Warming Europe - Climate Change
Source: IPCC, 2001
Source: IPCC, 2001
Overview:
Overview: Land areas are projected to warm more than the oceans with the greatest warming at high latitudes.
Source: IPCC, 2001Annual mean temperature change, 2071 to 2100 relative to 1990: Global Average in 2085 = 3.1oC
Overview: CO2 concentrations, temperature and sea level continue to rise /emissions are reduced
Source: IPCC, 2001
Developing countries are the Developing countries are the most vulnerable to climate most vulnerable to climate changechange
MMoreore flood and drought prone flood and drought prone and a and a
large share of the economy is in large share of the economy is in
climate sensitive;climate sensitive;
Because of Because of a lack of financiala lack of financial, ,
institutional and technological institutional and technological
capacity and access to knowledge;capacity and access to knowledge;
Climate change is likely Climate change is likely to impact to impact
disproportionately disproportionately upon the upon the
poorest countriespoorest countries and the poorest and the poorest
persons within countries;persons within countries;
Net market sector effects are expected Net market sector effects are expected
to be to be negative in most developing negative in most developing
countries;countries;
Impacts are worse
Lower capacity to adapt
Access to adequate food, clean water and other
The European Environment The European Environment Agency (EEA)Agency (EEA)
The The European Environment AgencyEuropean Environment Agency is an is an agency of the European Union.agency of the European Union.– EEA was adopted in 1990;EEA was adopted in 1990;– Is locate in Copenhagen, Denmark;Is locate in Copenhagen, Denmark;
Task:Task:– Help the Community and Help the Community and member countriesmember countries make make
informed decisions about informed decisions about KEPT INFORMED THE KEPT INFORMED THE DECISION MAKERSDECISION MAKERS
Improving the environment;Improving the environment; Integrating environmental considerations into Integrating environmental considerations into
economic policies and moving towards sustainability;economic policies and moving towards sustainability;– To coordinate the European environment information To coordinate the European environment information
and observation network;and observation network;
– Currently, the EEA has Currently, the EEA has 32 member countries32 member countries;;
Main clientsMain clients: : – European Commission;European Commission;– European Parliament;European Parliament;– Council;Council;– Economic and Social Committee;Economic and Social Committee;– Committee of the Regions;Committee of the Regions;– Member countries;Member countries;
EEA provides information as EEA provides information as well, toowell, too: : – Business community;Business community;– Academia;Academia;– Non-governmental Non-governmental
organizations; organizations; – Civil societyCivil society
The European Environment The European Environment Agency (EEA) - IIAgency (EEA) - II
European policy actors
ClientsMake
sustainable decisions
The European Environment The European Environment Agency (EEA) - IIIAgency (EEA) - III
Copenhagen
Member countries
Cooperating countries
The European Environment The European Environment Agency (EEA) - IVAgency (EEA) - IV
EEA Goal?
Environment
• Provide European decision-makers and citizens access to timely and relevant information and knowledge ;• Provide a sound basis for environmental policies, to help answer their questions about the environment in their daily lives and to ensure that environmental thinking and education…
Economy Social
Decision-makers
Citizens
Lives
Mainstream of Decision-making...
Decision making?Information
Environmental Data
Decision-makers State of the environment
Knowledge assessments
European, and regional level
Provide integrated environmental data and indicator sets
European Neighbourhood Policy
Provide a sound decision basis for environmental policies in the EU and Member CountriesThe consultation procedure: White and
green papers…
Decision – making -> Consultation
EEA aim:
ProducingAssessments and forward studies
EnsuringHigh quality
environmental data
Support Environmental
legislation
Improving
Dissemination to decision-makers
Addressing
Environmental priorities
Decision-making process regarding climate change regulation in European Union 2009-2013.
Strategic areas of EEA Air
quality
Air pollutant emissions
Biodiversity
Greenhouse gas emissions
Freshwater
Marine
Climate change
Ecosystems
Land use
Air pollutant emissions
Shared Environmental Information System Communications
Decision-making process regarding climate change regulation in European Union 2009-2013.
Strategy of EEA for 2009–2013
Shared Environmental Information System Communications
Policy-
making
In
Climate
Change
Integrated environment
al Regional and global
assessmentStrategic
futures
Decision-making process regarding climate change regulation in European Union 2009-2013.
Strategy for 2009–2013
2009Launch information services in the areas of the Environmental Data Centres (air quality, climate change, biodiversity, freshwater )
2010
Produce the EEA's regular integrated environmental assessment -> focusing on operational and strategic policy priorities, including those of the candidate and potential candidate countries
2011Support environmental reporting within the European Neighbourhood Policy;
Decision-making process regarding climate change regulation in European Union 2009-2013.
Strategy for 2009–2013
2012 Produce an assessment of Europe's ecosystem services — Eureca 2012;
2013Support the review of the environmental outcomes of the 6th Environment Action Programme and the EU Sustainable Development Strategy.
Aim for the
future
Expand the EEA's communications to the public, policy-makers and experts via multi‑media, user‑friendly, multilingual information particularly in the areas of climate change, biodiversity, ecosystems and the greening of the economy.
The European Union is a pioneer in The European Union is a pioneer in the battle against climate changethe battle against climate change
EU countries have set targets for 2020 to:EU countries have set targets for 2020 to:
Cut Cut emissions by 20% emissions by 20% (or 30% if agreed (or 30% if agreed globally);globally);
Increase energy efficiency by Increase energy efficiency by 20%;20%;
Generate 20% Generate 20% of energy from of energy from renewable sources; renewable sources;
The EU is pushing for an ambitious The EU is pushing for an ambitious new global new global pact to pact to
reduce emissionsreduce emissions
A Community agency is a body governed by European public law; it is distinct from the Community Institutions (Council, Parliament, Commission, etc.) and has its own legal personality. It is set up by an act of secondary legislation in order to accomplish a very specific technical, scientific or managerial task…Green White Papers
What EU can do?What EU can do?
• “Strategy for a future chemicals policy”
What EU do?What EU do?
• "EuropeanTransport Policy for 2010: Time to Decide"
Commission's White Paper:
• "Adapting to climate change in Europe - options for EU action"
Commission's Green Paper:
• “Adapting to climate change : towards a European framework for action”
• Commission to the Council;
• European Parliament;
• European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions
What can you do?What can you do?
Simple Simple everyday actions everyday actions play a major play a major role in the fight against climate changerole in the fight against climate change
So…So…– RecycleRecycle – SaveSave hot water by taking a shower hot water by taking a shower
instead of a bath (four times less instead of a bath (four times less energy)energy)
– Plant a treePlant a tree, at school, in your garden , at school, in your garden or neighbourhoodor neighbourhood
ObrigadObrigadoo
www.climatechange.eu.comwww.climatechange.eu.comwww.eea.europa.eu
http://eur-lex.europa.eu
CreditsCreditsEduardo Oliveira, is from Portugal. He is doing a MSc. in Marketing and Strategic Management in the School of Economics and Management, University of Minho, final year. My dissertation is about “Networks and Place Branding: Minho as International Brand”. Until December, I will stay in Malaysia as exchange student in University Sains Malaysia (USM) with a scholarship from the European Union. In USM, I attend courses in International Political Economy and Political and Decision Making in European Union and also courses in Marketing. I reserved my free time to do some research in destination marketing and place branding, my favorite topics and improve my skills in global issues, like climate change, sustainable development and explore the most controversial topics in the international political economy context. My main goal is to understand the economic and local markets, the consumers’ needs in the global economy and search for new ways to achieve a sustainable world.
Email address: [email protected]: http://www.eduardoo.pt.vu In Malaysia: +601 25 792 867In Portugal: +351 91 70 60 153