No Simple Fix to Climate Change: Policy Dilemmas and Solutions

Environment

No Simple Fix to Climate Change: Policy Dilemmas and Solutions

Date: October 2nd 2008 14:30

Background
Climate change is already being observed through rising temperatures, melting glaciers, shifting rain patterns, increased storm intensity and rising sea levels. Consequences are being observed in many areas around the world with adverse impacts on human health, ecosystems, and countries economies.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from human activities – mainly fossil fuel use, deforestation and agriculture – cause climate change. If GHG emissions are not reduced to significantly below current levels within the next few decades, there will be further warming and sea-level rise for centuries to come.

Urgent action is needed to significantly reduce GHG emissions in the coming decades. There is increasing evidence that the overall benefits of strong and early action to reduce GHG emissions outweigh the costs. But we need to reduce emissions at the lowest possible cost if we are to have a realistic chance of limiting further climate change." (OECD, Policy Brief 2007)

Although the need of reducing the CO2 emissions seems to be of general agreement, the steps towards concreting this goal are not at all easy.

Our joint session aims to raise awareness about dilemmas in the introduction of effective policies to fight climate change and to look for possible solutions.

To do so we have selected three case studies:

1. The Black Out Of The Brightest Latin American Star (Chile)

Case N^o1 The Black Out Of The Brightest Latin American Star

These days three coal plants in Coquimbo Region are in progress, they are located in no more than 10 km. in a line, and they are meant to provide energy to the Northern Energy System, which feed regions where mining industry, the "Salary of Chile", is mainly located. Even though no watts produced there will bring energy to its inhabitants the cost of energy production will be assumed by the community. Climate change and the fragility on the national energy supply, is turning off the lights of the brightest Latin American country. What should be done? And by Whom? Climate change and the fragility on the national energy supply, is the focus of this case study.

[PDF] Chile_The-black-out-of-Latin-American-Star.pdf

2. Nuclear power production in Germany Is it a "Dinosaur Technology" or "Secure And Affordable Energy Supply"?

Case Study N^o2: Nuclear power production in Germany: Is it a "Dinosaur Technology" or "Secure And Affordable Energy Supply"?

This case introduces dilemmas of nuclear power to you and expects you to find policy options influencing the German power industry. Your focus will be on the question whether nuclear power production is a proper solution to fight climate change. Currently, Germany is phasing out all nuclear power plants, which is increasingly perceived as a mistake by voters and politicians. Because, nuclear power plants cause few carbon emissions and may provide inexpensive power to consumers. Others say instead of using nuclear power, Germany should rely more on power from renewable energies. To them, dangers outweigh benefits since nuclear power and waste is uncontrollable and bears huge costs on future generations. Indeed, no simple fix to climate change.

[PDF] Nuclear-Power-in-Germany.pdf

3. Mobilization of India’s Aspiring Middle Class & Reducing Global CO2 Emissions : The Tata Nano Dilemma

Case Study N^o3 Mobilization of India's Aspiring Middle Class & Reducing Global CO2 Emissions: The Tata Nano Dilemma

One of India's oldest companies, the Tatas, have now engineered the Nano, a car that can be manufactured at a price less than $2500 which seemed impossible for most automobile majors, thus enabling the dream of India's vast middle class- the dream of owning a car which provides safety, shelter and ride comfort. Unfortunately environmentalists feel this might spin off into a higher number of demand for cars in India, in turn increasing the levels of greenhouse emissions exponentially, while the Tatas contend that the assumption isn't true. A lot many questions remains to be answered once the car debuts on Indian roads this October 2008 which will let us know whether the concerns of the green groups were true or the Nano isn't as cost-effective as its supposed to be. Reflecting about this dilemma would be the focus of this case study.

[PDF] Can-India-Mobilize-its-Middle-Class-and-Reduce-Emissions_.pdf

IMPORTANT REMARKS:

This session is limited to 45 participants who will be selected according to true interest to join the session, prompt response to the survey, distribution of cultures and backgrounds. This workshop requires previous readings (no longer than a 4 page document) which will be distributed before the symposium. If not you risk not having enough information upon which to make your selections if more than 45 people apply.

Supplementary readings

[PDF] OECD policy brief - climate change policies

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No Simple Fix to Climate Change: Policy Dilemmas and Solutions

No Simple Fix to Climate Change: Policy Dilemmas and Solutions