The Government has taken a big step in the global fight against climate change.
Minister for Tourism, Environment, Investment and Commerce, Charles Clifford has announced that the Government will join the UK’s instrument of ratification of the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto protocol.
‘As many of you are aware, the PPM’s election manifesto contains an action item to ‘begin development of a plan to address the predicted impacts of global warming and climate change’, and the Government believes that ratification of the Climate Change Convention and its Kyoto Protocol is fundamental to achieving this goal,’ he said.
Mr. Clifford commented that on a global scale, the Cayman Islands are not responsible for emitting large quantities of greenhouse gases.
‘However, as small, low lying tropical islands we have much to lose should the global climate change scenarios continue as predicted.
‘For example, the global average sea level has risen by 10 to 20cm over the past 100 years. It is likely that much of this rise is related to an increase of 0.6 degrees Celsius in the lower atmosphere’s global temperatures since 1860. Global Climate Models project that sea levels will rise another nine to 88cm by the year 2100 (with a ‘best estimate of 50cm). As a result flooding and coastal erosion will worsen and the intensity of extreme weather events such as storms and hurricanes will likely change.’
In light of these risks, the Government believes that joining the UK’s ratification of the Climate Change Convention and the Kyoto Protocol is a necessary step, and could set an example and encourage other countries to join, he said.
‘The greater the international resolve to tackle climate change, the greater the chances of averting the more catastrophic consequences which could result from inadequate action.’
Mr. Clifford explained that climate change is widely recognised as the most serious environmental issue facing the world.
‘Scientific evidence that the climate is changing, due to the release of greenhouse gases from human activity, is more compelling than ever. While adaption measures could reduce the severity of the impact, the most effective response – and the only sustainable long-term approach – is to substantially reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.’
The UN framework convention on climate change sets an overall framework for intergovernmental efforts to tackle the challenge posed by climate change. It recognises that the climate system is a shared resource whose stability can be affected by industrial and other emissions of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases, he said.
‘The ultimate objective of the convention is to achieve ‘stabilisation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic (human induced) interference with the climate system’.’
Under the convention, governments are required to: gather and share information on greenhouse gas emissions, national policies and best practices; launch national strategies for addressing greenhouse emissions, and adapting to expected impacts, including the provision of financial and technological support to developing countries; and co-operate in preparing for adaptation to the impacts of climate change.
However, the Minister pointed out that the convention does not impose any binding targets on parties.
The Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, ratified by the UK in May 2002, is an extension of the Climate Change Convention. It significantly strengthens the convention by committing developed countries that are parties to the convention and protocol to individual, legally-binding targets to limit or reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
‘While there is much to be done if we are to meet our obligations under the convention and protocol, my Ministry’s Department of Environment has been involved in a joint project with the UK’s renowned Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research for the past three years.
‘The project has generated reports to Government and the private sector, which are currently in print on adaptation lessons learned from responding to hurricanes, as well as a survey of residents’ knowledge of climate change issues. Most recently, in May of this year the DoE co-hosted a workshop for Government planners from the Caribbean Overseas Territories on adapting to climate change,’ he said.
Mr. Clifford said to ensure integration of climate change issues, in cross-sectoral planning, workshop participants ranged from physical planners, tourism, water and agriculture sector personnel, to health care, social services, education and disaster management professionals.
‘In addition, the Cayman Islands are among the Caribbean Overseas Territories waiting to participate in the Mainstreaming Adaptation to Climate Change Project through funding provided by the UK Department for International Development. This project is slated to commence this month. The main project components include building capacity to assess and reduce vulnerability and risks associated with climate change.’
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