Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol
While the validity of the evidence for climate change continues to be a source of much debate, the information on temperature rise (i.e. global warming) over the 250 years since the industrial revolution is virtually irrefutable. The impact of this rise on sea levels and weather patterns is still emerging and such effects may never be fully attributed to global warming, since the mechanisms are too complex and the burden of proof is too great. But can we ignore the possible consequences?
The Precautionary Principle has become the basis on which action needs to be contemplated and the creation of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) following the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 became the first step in the regulatory response. IPCC continues to guide global policy development in this area and this contribution led to the Kyoto Protocol in 1997. However, the political implications of climate change on economic growth and society's current way of life are so pervasive that some Governments are still finding it difficult to fully engage the agenda. This is perhaps not surprising in developing countries where economic growth in an absolute imperative. However, it is more disconcerting to note that major developed economies are also shying away from what some would see as their obligations.
Although originally drawn into the Climate agenda by its Montreal Protocol interests, Caleb has extended its activities in areas where its technical expertise and policy experience have relevance. This has been particularly the case on the issue of building energy efficiency, where Caleb believes that there is a major opportunity to make significant and cost effective (in climate change policy terms) savings. In pursuit of this objective, Caleb has produced a series of reports in support of groups such as EuroACE to promote the importance of building energy efficiency at European level. One of the results has been the emergence of the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive in early 2003. Caleb also continues to advise the UK Government on the implementation of strategies (regulatory, fiscal and altruistic) in order to promote energy efficiency and has been particularly instrumental in the revision of thermal efficiency standards for pipe insulation. The company also continues to monitor the development of carbon trading schemes to assess their effectiveness in promoting good energy management.
As well as concern with demand-side issues, the company is continuing to develop its involvement on the supply-side. With its strong background in technology transfer and project management, Caleb is well placed to assist in renewable energy projects. To this end, the company has recently strengthened its team in the area of biomass technologies, where it believes that there are significant opportunities - particularly in village-based small-scale facilities in developing countries. Caleb believes that it can also add value by bringing a holistic approach to the small-scale biomass concept by incorporating other sustainability parameters (e.g. biodiversity) into the design of projects.
Caleb is seeking to share this experience with other project owners to develop more CDM biomass and biogas projects in China and Asia. Caleb provides strategic advisory and project development services by partnering with project owners to ensure that the carbon integrity of the project are realised and maximised. It works with project owners to agree on a win-win strategy that suits the financing and the equity investors, markets to buyers in three continents, and works with the developer to secure the best bid on the best terms. Caleb is now involved in missions to foster new partnerships for the development of high quality CDM projects in China for buyers in Europe, Canada and Japan.
Dr.
Jason Yapp, our CDM specialist has completed the first CDM PDD for developing
large-scale biogas plants for the conversion of pig waste into biogas
for electricity generation in Henan, China for Asia Development Bank.
Jason is a CDM Consultant specialising in developing high quality CDM
projects for the conversion of agro-industrial biomass wastes into biogas
for electricity generation for the agriculture, food, distillery and brewery
sectors. Dr. Jason Yapp has been engaged by Asia Development Bank, Philippines
as their staff CDM Consultant responsible for screening the CDM potential
of their bilateral pipeline loans across Asia. Jason speaks 4 Chinese
dialects (Mandarin, Kejia, Guangdonghua and Fujianhua).