Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2024
First exams 2026
Global Action & Decarbonisation (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))
Revision Note
Written by: Alistair Marjot
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Global Action on Climate Change
Importance of global action
Climate change affects the entire planet
Therefore, coordinated global action is essential
Actions by individual countries and states are insufficient to address the global nature of climate change
This means that international cooperation is necessary for effective climate action
State sovereignty and international cooperation
State sovereignty: the principle that each country has the authority to govern itself without external interference
Climate change crosses national borders, requiring countries to work together and often requiring countries to compromise some of their sovereignty
International cooperation is achieved through negotiations, protocols, conventions and treaties
Key UN treaties and protocols
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), 1992:
Established at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro
Framework for international efforts to address climate change
Encouraged developed countries to lead in reducing emissions and supporting developing countries
Kyoto Protocol, 1997:
First major international treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Set legally binding targets for developed countries to reduce emissions
Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol, 2012:
Extended the Kyoto Protocol beyond 2012
Set new emission reduction targets for developed countries for 2013-2020
Encourages further international cooperation and support for developing countries on how to adapt to climate change
Paris Agreement (2015):
Aim: limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C
Nearly all countries have committed to reducing their emissions
Countries submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) outlining their climate action plans
Set a mechanism for regular review and enhancement of NDCs every five years
International cooperation mechanisms
Negotiations: countries discuss and agree on common goals, commitments and actions to tackle climate change
Protocols and conventions: formal agreements that outline specific commitments and actions countries must take
Sanctions: tools like cross-border carbon taxes can be used to encourage compliance and ensure countries adhere to climate policies
A cross-border carbon tax is a levy imposed on imported goods based on the carbon emissions produced during their manufacture
These taxes aims to equalise the cost of carbon between countries with different climate policies
They encourage global reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and help reduce carbon leakage
Decarbonisation
What is decarbonisation?
Reducing or ending the use of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) that emit carbon dioxide when burned
Transitioning to renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, hydro and geothermal energy
Carbon neutrality
Achieving net-zero carbon emissions
This means balancing the amount of emitted CO2 with an equivalent amount of CO2 removal
Methods to achieve this include:
Reducing emissions
Enhancing carbon sinks (e.g. forests)
Using technologies like carbon capture and storage (CCS)
Targets for carbon neutrality
Different countries have set varied dates for achieving carbon neutrality, for example:
UK: by 2050
China: by 2060
Germany: by 2045
These targets are crucial for meeting global climate goals and are part of each country's NDC under the Paris Agreement
Steps towards decarbonisation
Transitioning to renewable energy:
Solar, wind, hydro and geothermal energy
Energy efficiency:
Improving efficiency of energy and lowering energy waste in buildings, transportation and industry
Electrification:
Using electricity (preferably from renewable sources) for heating, cooking and transportation
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS):
Capture: capturing CO2 emissions directly from sources like power plants and industrial processes
Transport: once captured, CO2 is compressed and transported, typically via pipelines, to a storage site
Storage: CO2 is injected deep underground, where it is securely stored
Real-world examples
European Union (EU) Green Deal
Objective: aimed at making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050
Policies:
Carbon border adjustment mechanism: introduces a carbon tax on imports to prevent "carbon leakage" and ensure fair competition for EU industries that have stricter climate regulations
Renewable energy expansion: sets targets for increasing the share of renewable energy sources in the EU's energy mix
Energy efficiency: promotes energy-efficient technologies and practices across various sectors
Norway's renewable energy initiatives
Achievement: Norway generates nearly 100% of its electricity from renewable sources, primarily hydropower
Incentives for electric vehicles (EVs):
Offers incentives for purchasing electric vehicles, including tax exemptions, toll reductions and free parking
Climate policies:
Plans to phase out fossil fuel-based vehicles by 2025, contributing significantly to reducing transportation emissions
Examiner Tips and Tricks
You should be able to cite current examples, such as the EU Green Deal or Norway’s renewable energy initiatives, to illustrate points about global action and decarbonisation.
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