Kyoto Protocol: Extension of the Second Commitment Period to Jersey

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A decision made 20 July 2015:

Decision Reference: MD-PE-2015-0048
Decision Summary Title :	Extension of the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol to Jersey		Date of Decision Summary:	15/07/2015
Decision Summary Author:	Director of Environmental Policy		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (If exempt, state clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	n/a
Written Report Title :	Extension of the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol to Jersey		Date of Written Report:	13/02/15
Written Report Author:	Director of Environmental Policy		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (If exempt, state clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Extension of the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol to Jersey
Decision(s): The Minister for the Environment decided that Jersey should ask to be included in the UK’s ratification of the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which commits Parties by setting internationally binding emission reduction targets.
Reason(s) for Decision: The first period of the Kyoto Protocol was extended in 2007 to Jersey which wished to demonstrate internationally that it is committed to reducing its Greenhouse Gas Emissions in line with global best environmental practice. The first commitment period has now expired and Jersey now requests the extension of the second commitment period running from 01/01/2013 to 31/12/2020.
Resource Implications: There are no additional resource implications for this decision.
Action required: The Minister to request the Ministry of External Relations to prepare a letter for transmission through the official channel to indicate that Jersey wishes to be included in the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol and that this is extended to Jersey at the same time as the UK’s ratification.
Signature:		Position: Minister for the Environment
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Kyoto Protocol: Extension of the Second Commitment Period to Jersey

Extension of the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol to Jersey

Written report

MD-PE-2015-0048**

Background and context

The Kyoto Protocol, the first five year period 2008 - 2012

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was agreed in 1992 and has been ratified by 195 Parties. The ultimate objective of the Convention is to stabilise greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations "at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic [human induced] interference with the climate system."

The Kyoto Protocol (KP) was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, on 11 December 1997 and entered into force on 16 February 2005. It was ratified by 192 Parties. Under the first five-year commitment period, 2008 to 2012, a total of 37 developed countries (known as ‘Annex B Parties’), including individual EU Member States and the EU as a whole, have emissions limitation or reduction targets based on a baseline year of 1990. These are known as Quantified Emission Limitation or Reduction Objectives (QELROs).

At Jersey’s request, the UK’s ratification of the KP was extended to the Bailiwick of Jersey (in 2007), Guernsey and the Isle of Man. The CDs were included in the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol (KP) which ended on 31 December 2012. The main practical implications of the Crown Dependencies was an expectation to support achievement of a UK QELRO and the UK’s overall compliance with the rules of the KP by the following:

Continuing to provide information on GHG emissions in accordance with relevant international guidelines (where applicable); and

Continuing to provide information on the development and implementation of measures to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change.

Jersey was not awarded binding carbon reduction targets in the 2008 to 2012 period, as the island’s emissions were included in the UK’s QELRO. However despite not having an ‘allocated allowance’, Jersey was asked by the Department of Constitutional Affairs:-

‘to introduce, where possible, and having taken into account local circumstances, policies in line with the objectives of the UK Climate Change Programme. In relation to any subsequent commitment periods, Her Majesty’s Government agrees that any obligation upon the Government of Jersey for the reduction of emissions shall be as determined by the Government of Jersey, in conjunction with Her Majesty’s Government, to be what Jersey can reasonably deliver’.

Work began to develop an Energy Plan in 2006 to outline Jersey’s intentions in respect of greenhouse gas emissions to fulfil this requirement. By 2012 Jersey had reduced its CO2 emissions by 28% on the 1990 baseline.

The Kyoto Protocol, the second period 2012 onwards

In December 2012, at the Doha Climate Change Conference, the 192 Parties to the KP adopted an amendment to the KP (the Doha Amendment). The Doha Amendment establishes a second commitment period under the KP, starting on 1 January 2013 and ending on 31 December 2020, with legally-binding emission reduction commitments for the Parties listed in its Annex B.

The text of the UNFCCC, KP, and the Doha Amendment for the Second Commitment period of the KP can be found on the UNFCCC website: www.unfccc.int.

Ratification and next steps

It is the intention of the EU and its Member States to ensure that domestic ratification processes are completed well in advance of the December 2015 international climate change negotiations. In line with this aim, the UK has now begun its domestic ratification process, which it hopes to complete within the next few months and has invited Jersey to ratify.

An analysis of the requirements of the island under the second reporting period of the Kyoto Protocol has been carried out internally and with the assistance of the UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

Jersey is well placed to comply with these requirements and has already made substantial progress based on the position from the first period as follows:

Continuing to provide information on GHG emissions in accordance with relevant international guidelines (where applicable)

The Department for the Environment has been working with the UK’s technical emissions reporting advisors to continue to refine the collection of Jersey’s emissions data and report it more simply and intuitively through a web based infographics platform which will be launched later in 2015.

Continuing to provide information on the development and implementation of measures to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change.

In May 2014, the States Assembly adopted pathway 2050: An Energy Plan for Jersey (P.38/2014). This document outlines a detailed plan for a reduction in Jersey’s emissions across all sectors whilst also supporting the objective of secure, affordable and sustainable energy for Jersey and its implementation begun in late 2014. In 2015 work began within the Department of the Environment to co-ordinate and progress the work begun both within the States of Jersey, and across the wider community, to formulate a cohesive Climate Change Adaptation Plan.

Summary

Jersey is well placed to comply with the requirements of the second reporting period having made substantial and ongoing progress compared to the first reporting period.

In early consultations Jersey indicated that it could comply with the requirements of the second reporting period and in principle would be content to be part of the second commitment period.

There are no additional financial or manpower requirements beyond that already identified and funded within the Department’s 2015 business plans as a result of these actions.

Recommendation

The Minister for Environment and Planning requests that the Ministry of International Affairs prepare a letter, for transmission through the official channel, to the Department of Energy and Climate Change to indicate that Jersey wishes to be included in the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol and asks that this is extended to Jersey at the same time as the UK’s ratification.

Prepared by

Dr Louise Magris, Director of Environmental Policy

13.07.15