Third Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, more simply referred to as COP-3, reached agreement on emission levels. The overall targets adopted for greenhouse gas emissions by 2008-12 are an 8% cut from 1990 levels for the European Union (EU), 7% for the USA, and 6% for Japan and Canada. Australia is allowed an 8% increase, while Russia has a target of 0% (i.e. 1990 levels). Compared with the opening positions of 15% for the EU, 5% for Japan, and 0% for the USA.
At least there is a beginning to the controlling of harmful emission, but still allowing increases in some countries seems to be self-defeating. If long term measures are taken to produce a lower emission level than that of pre- 1900's, it may be a start.
Nearly all scientists are now in agreement that there really is a harmful hole in the ozone layer. The opinions are widely varied, however at to the size, effects and corrective measures to be taken. How mush harmful gas emission is too much? Shouldn't we be working to elliminate ALL such emissions? Is that even possible? In our man cenetered world, with shifting baselines and increasing depletion of natural resources, when will we change our behaviors or be forced to find another ball of dirt to consume?
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Penn Joe
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change reported the following...
19 September 2006 -- During the meeting, the JISC took up the last outstanding JI project submission formats and guidance documents, as well as the JI accreditation procedures and application forms, which are required to allow JI Track 2 to become operational.
Industrialized countries can use allowances earned through joint implementation projects – emission reduction units, or “ERUs” – to meet their emission reduction commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.
Whilst the JI’s Track 1 process may only be applied if the host Party fully meets all eligibility requirements, the Track 2 provision allows Parties to issue and transfer ERUs if only the basic eligibility requirements are met, provided the projects go through the verification procedures under the JISC (Track 2). The official launch of the JI Track 2 process is scheduled for October 26. As of that date, independent entities will be able to submit project design documents to the UNFCCC secretariat via a dedicated interface on its JI website.
The JISC agreed that although the accreditation procedures of independent entities were approved at this meeting, they would only enter into force as of 15 November in order to allow time for preparation of applications from the Designated Operational Entities (DOEs) under the CDM acting provisionally under JI at present (in accordance with decision 10/CMP.1). The JISC indicated the need to seek measures to reduce cost and time needed for accreditation of DOEs, but decided not to adopt a formal “fast track” accreditation procedure for DOEs after taking into account inputs from its Accreditation Panel. The committee also decided on the provisions for charging fees to cover the administrative costs of its work. The structure and levels of the fees agreed were similar to those under the CDM (proportional to ERU generation, preferential treatment for small-scale projects).
Finally, the JISC agreed on its Management Plan, however noting the significant shortfall in supplementary funding. In this regard, the committee recognized the need to further encourage contributions from Parties in order to sustain the work of the JISC.
It sounds as though A Doctoral Disseration would come in handy here!