Archive for the ‘Carbon Economy’ Category
Fighting environmental injustice at Copenhagen
by Sajitha PREMATUNGE | http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2009/11/29/imp01.asp
 Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka |
When global warming was first detected in the 1980s, scientists came up with many theories ranging from natural fluctuations in temperature to sun spots.
But by the end of the decade with such scientific publication as “Our Common Future”, it became clear that the major contributing factor to global warming was burning of fossil fuel.
The maximum permissible increase in temperature under prevailing conditions is 2 C. And at the current intensity of global warming this is likely to expire in 2030. This doesn’t leave much margin for error. And exceeding this limit could result in catastrophic climatic repercussions that are the stuff of movies like, ‘Day after Tomorrow’.
According to UNDP Carbon budget, the maximum permissible amount of Carbon emission per person is 2170 kg. An average person emits only 600 kg, whereas a US citizen on average emits 24,000 kg of Carbon. Technically Sri Lanka should be able to further emit Carbon, but we have no choice but to limit emission levels because so-called developed countries have already burnt out our share of Carbon.
This form of environmental injustice has persisted in spite the many Conventions held over the decades. The targets introduced by the Kyoto Protocol in order to reduce global warming by cutting down emission levels of GHG (Green House Gases) “for US (7% reduction from 1990 level of emission), Europe (6% reduction from 1990 level of emission) and Japan (8% reduction from 1990 level of emission) were never met during the voluntary period between 1997 and 2007.
“US and Canada has still not agreed to cut its emission levels by 40% from that of the 1990 emission level, the now required percentage to prevent a major climatic catastrophe,” pointed out Patali Champika Ranawaka, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. Kyoto Protocol has been rendered inactive, with no plans as to what should happen after the compulsory period of emission reduction from 2008 to 2010.
History has rarely acted in the favour of developing nations, especially regarding environmental issues. But Sri Lankan authorities and environmentalists alike hope for the best at the Copenhagen Summit to be held from December 8 to 18. The concept paper presented by Sri Lanka deals with issues that have been blatantly disregarded by developing nations of annex 1 countries of the Convention, such as emission reduction targets, funding for the adaptation to the adverse effects of climate change, technology transfer, capacity building, etc.
Sri Lanka’s proposal for emission reduction targets for Annex 1 countries has been formulated taking their ‘historical responsibility’ into consideration. According to the proposal realistic changes in emission patterns are urgently required to prevent dangerous interference with the climate system. Moreover, funds under the Kyoto Protocol have been insufficient in order for developing nations to cope with the adverse effects of climate change. Therefore, the proposal suggests an Adaptation Fund, to be sustained by a contribution of at least 1% of the GDP by developing nations.
 Dr. W. L. Sumathipala, Director National Ozone Unit |
The 16 $ million left in the Adaptation Fund is not merely enough for developed nations to cope with the needs of 2.5 billion people who are affected by climate change phenomena and 160 $ billion worth of annual damage, the Minister stressed.
According to the Bali Action Plan all developed nations, although not parties to the Kyoto Protocol, have to take emission reduction commitments. The proposal suggests that all developing nations contribute to global efforts by significantly reducing their emission levels. It also proposes that developing nations adopt Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions, which depend on sufficient financial provisions, technology and capacity building support by developing nations.
Speaking of technology, the proposal also focuses on technology transfer between Annex 1 and Annex 3 countries in terms of mitigation and adaptation techniques to climate change. But a major problem encountered in encouraging technology transfer is the problem of intellectual property rights, as stated by the Minister. Moreover, we fall into a technology trap if we attempt to integrate foreign technology in its raw state. He emphasized the need to localize technology before integrating it into the Sri Lankan setting. The proposal also recommends that capacity building support be made available to developing nations in terms of mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
The proposal also dwells on REDD-Plus activities, country driven and voluntary, where developing nations could obtain funds to reduce emission. Sri Lanka has also presented a concept paper to become an observer of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Obtaining funds have proven difficult in the past since we are in an isolated position the Minister said. Most countries who are parties to global conventions meet in groups to resolve their respective regional issues. The G77 and China the only regional group that Sri Lanka belongs to have different priorities as a larger group. During the SAARC Environmental Ministers Conference in Deli, it was proposed that SAARC countries should be considered as one unit. The Minister said we, as one unit, hope to formulate a comprehensive Climate Change Plan. A SAARC regional research centre has already been proposed.
Dr. W. L. Sumathipala, Director National Ozone Unit, who has played a major role in obtaining the Montreal Protocol Implementers Award and securing the Presidency of the Montreal Protocol later, the Bureau of Vienna Convention itself for Patali Champika Ranawaka, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, is playing a major role taking this proposal the Convention.
“No tendency has been shown by Annex 1 countries so far to reduce emission below necessary levels,” said Dr. Sumathipala. Annex 1 countries still stand by their decision that all countries should reduce their emission levels alike. This is environmental injustice. There is a lot of political tug-of-war involved. He pointed out that there is a huge gap between Annex 1 and Annex 3 countries in terms of technology and funds.
In order to deal with technology-related issues Sri Lanka has already taken the initiative by establishing a Climate Change Research Centre and is currently collaborating with India to obtain meteorological data. The National Carbon Trading Fund has turned to be a national attempt to overcome the problem of funding.
* History has rarely acted in favour of developing nations, especially regarding environmental issues. But both Sri Lankan authorities and environmentalists alike hope for the best at the Climate Change Conference – Copenhagen 2009, to be held from December 8 to 18.
* “No tendency has been shown by Annex 1 countries so far to reduce emission below the necessary levels. This is environmental injustice. There is a lot of political tug-of-war involved” – Dr. W. L. Sumathipala.
Sri Lanka joins battle against global warming
Minister says emphasis will be on renewable sources of energy
By Shalika Ranaweera
The government has decided to invest only in renewable energy sources in the future once the Norochcholai and Sampur coal power plants are completed, Environment and Natural Resources Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said yesterday.
“Sri Lanka is having plenty of untapped renewable energy sources that could be harnessed effectively in the future. Mr. Ranawaka told a news conference he had focused his attention on the negative effects of global warming and came up with Sri Lanka’s proposals, which would be presented at the Copenhegan Convention (COP) to be held next month. “After the Kyoto protocol expires in 2012 there will be no legal commitment towards environment protection and as such the upcoming Convention is important event where we expect to submit our proposals for a better and safer environment.
“Sri Lanka will propose that Annex 1 countries (Developed Countries in Kyoto) should reduce their domestic green house gas emission by at least 49 per cent below the 1990 levels and should contribute at least one per cent of their GDP to the adaptation fund which would in turn help developing countries counter the adverse effects of climate change.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=68933
UN: Climate Change Deal Key to Fight Hunger
The United Nations has opened its World Food Summit in Rome, saying a deal on climate change is crucial to fight global hunger. About 60 heads of state or government are attending the three-day meeting at the Food and Agriculture Organization.
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon opened the World Food Security summit in Rome by calling for a single global vision to address the plight of one billion hungry people.
Mr. Ban said the human cost of the food crisis has been enormous. Millions of families have been pushed into poverty and hunger. In the past year, food insecurity has affected about 30 countries.
The U.N. secretary general said there can be no food security without climate security.
ighting Hunger..
IT ‘vital’ in climate change fight: Ban
03.10.2009 | AFP
GENEVA — Information and communication technologies are “vital” in tackling climate change, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said Monday, urging the industry to think up fresh ideas to harness technology and usher in a green economy.
Opening one of the industry’s biggest fairs, ITU Telecom World, Ban said: “ICTs are … very vital to confronting the problems we face as a planet: the threat of climate change.”
He highlighted an example in which the United Nations has teamed up with mobile phone companies and other partners to transmit weather news to African farmers through text messages to their mobile phones.
Ban called on the industry to come up with more of such innovations.
“I am sure you in this room can think of even more creative ways to use ICTs to usher in a new green economy. I hope you share your ideas and make them a reality,” he told government officials and the industry’s executives gathered at the fair.
Ban also asked developing countries to “strive … to be pioneers and innovators.”
“Governments and industries that embrace a strategy of green growth will be environmental champions and economic leaders in the twenty-first century,” he added.
According to the UN’s International Telecommunication Union, some 450 exhibitors and 40,000 participants are expected to attend the five-day trade show.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jzdZyhhGjoMEkg3mGaY9oJ7OZruw
Lessons from oil palm experiences in CDM
In estate transport, the production of palm bio-diesel based on waste oil and waste fats from biogenic origin can be used as fuel. The fossil fuel requirement will be displaced by this practice, thus effecting GHG emission reduction. There is already a UNFCCC methodology for such activity.
The oil palm industry should also examine the applicability of Afforestation and Reforestation guidelines for oil palm plantations. As in the case of other tree crops, the existing plantations may not be eligible. But new plantations in abandoning chena land ( slash and burn cultivation) that have not been under forest cover on 31/12/1989, and also abundance of de-forested and logged over areas prior to this date that are available, are eligible
By : Dr.N.Yogaratnam Chairman, Tree Crops Agro Consultants
Climate change is considered as one of the most serious threats to sustainable development where its impacts on environment, human health, food security, economic activities, natural resources and physical infrastructure, are likely to be devastating. There have been, therefore, global plans to combat this menace since 1972, a period covering over 35 years. But still it remains a threat.
The first collective international political response really began in 1992, when the first treaty called the United Nations Frame Work Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was adopted. This subsequently led to the creation on the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
The Koyoto Protocol Clean Development Mechanism, has now passed the 1000th project milestone. This significant achievement reflected the success and redoubled efforts made to expand the mechanism. The CDM projects have thus far generated 135 million Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) and by the first commitment period from 2008 to 2012, it is expected to generate more than 2.7 million CERs. With the 1000 projects in 49 developing countries in just 2 ½ years from 2005, the CDM has shown its potential, and is maturing to be a winner in the global field of Carbon Trading. It is clear that there is still much greater potential that can be realised while respecting the obligation of ensuring environmental integrity and making the mechanism as simple as possible.
Further, with the speed for market requirements to cut down the GHG emission, the ISO standards, ISO 14064 and ISO 14065 have been develop to quantify the GHG emissions in the entity, in project validation and verification.
Work is currently in progress to develop the Carbon Foot Print (CFP) standards for quantification and for communication on the eco-labels of products and services. With this CFP standards development, there will be harmonised methodologies for uniform measurements of carbon utilisation and reporting of carbon reduction efforts globally. This will progress further to less-carbon intensive products and services, thereby paving way for a low-carbon economy in the future. Reductions in CFP in travelling is another area of priority.
Oil Palm
For the purpose of illustration, indicative values from Malaysia, one of the leading oil palm grower and oil palm CDM projects developer, are considered in this article.
Malaysia produced around 15.88 million tons and 19.95 million tons of crude palm oil and palm kernel oil, respectively in 2006. This contribution is about 12% of the world production of 17 major oils and fats, which amounted to 22.8% of the world export of oils and fats, thus providing a steady supply of food, or oleo-chemicals and energy in global scenario.
In the process of extracting these oils, a large volume of lingo-cellulosic bio-mass in the form of empty fruit bunches, fiber, shell and liquid effluent in the mill, while in the field, pruned fronds from harvests of ripe bunches and whole crown of fronds and trunks during replanting, are available.
These cellulosic bio-masse especially those at the mills are readily available as steady sources of solid fuel for renewable energy production. The percentages of available bio-mass in every ton of fresh fruit bunches processed at the mill are illustrated in Table 1. The fiber and shell are usually burnt to generate steam and power for the mill. With more efficient boilers, it is expected that there will be excess shell and fiber available as solid fuel for other uses.
Surplus
These surplus materials have in the past, returned to the field as dead mulches, but now, with increased demand for them as sources of renewable energy, they are utilised for such purposes. The fuel characteristics of oil palm bio-mass at the mill are indicated in Table 2.
Although in some aspects, palm bio-mass may not be as good as coal, it does not mean that it is inferior as a solid fuel, since in a different role, it may in fact enhance coal combustibility.
Based on the calorific value, it is estimated that, if the entire bio-mass produced in an year are used as energy source, it is equivalent to over 50 million barrels of oil ( Table 3).
Renewable Energy
As a potential renewable energy source available at the mill, greater use of it as an alternate fuel should be considered in view of the wide fluctuations in the price of fossil fuels. This has now dipped to around US$ 33 per barrel from US$ 145 per barrel in early 2008. With stabilistion of global economy by around end of 2009 or early 2010, the demand for fossil fuel is expected to rise, resulting in renouncing of fossil fuel prices- a very unstable scenario.
Many mills have, therefore embarked on converting empty fruit bunches into more convenient and steady source of liquid and gaseous fuel for more specific uses based on techniques such as pyrolysis, gasification, bio conversation etc. Nevertheless as these technologies are still in the early stages of development, more R&D initiatives are required for commercialisation of such technologies. The CDM potential in such technologies are expected to accelerate R&D activities in the development of renewable energy program with the use of palm oil bio-mass.
Licences also have been provided to construct palm bio-mass power generation to the national grid in Malaysia, and it is expected that together with the incentive offered under CDM activity of the Koyoto protocol, this process will be accelerated.
As it is, Malaysia has generated vast experience in palm oil CDM projects. To date, a total of 16 CDM projects involving palm bio-mass have been registered with the UNFCCC and CERs have been generated by fossil fuel displacement.
Since the introduction of CDM projects in Malaysian palm oil industry, a total of 21 projects have been submitted and to date 16 projects have been registered with UNFCCC, 6 projects under review and 11 projects are open for comments.
The 16 registered oil palm bio-mass projects, have provided carbon credits in the region of 1,850,085 tCO2eq. The 6 other projects that have reached the review stage and 11 projects that are under comments from the public. When taken together, the potential CERs expected to be generated additionally in the near future is around 642,012. There are 40 more projects that are under consideration by the energy technical committee.
The Annex 1, countries sponsoring the 16 registered projects are:- Canada / 4 ; Denmark / 3 ; Japan / 3 ; UK / 3 ; France / 1 ; Germany / 1 and Switzerland / 1.
Some uses of palm bio-mass in emission reduction by fossil-fuel-displacement are listed in Table 4. A total of 428,045 CERs have been issued, indicating that the emission reductions were verified, certified and issued. All these are expected to, in addition to providing monitory gains, cause mitigating effects on the impact of climate change, a very significant contribution to environmental management.
Opportunities to limit GFG in plantations
Although the opportunities in the palm oil mill have been discussed at length, there are also ample opportunities in the field in plantations for GHG emission reduction.
Plantations, with the use of leguminous plants, can reduce the use of nitrogenous fertilisers thereby minimising volatilisation of N2O, another potent GHG with 290 global warming units. In other words, 1 ton of N2O has the potential of global warming equivalent to 290 t of CO2.
In estate transport, the production of palm bio-diesel based on waste oil and waste fats from biogenic origin can be used as fuel. The fossil fuel requirement will be displaced by this practice, thus effecting GHG emission reduction. There is already a UNFCCC methodology for such activity.
The oil palm industry should also examine the applicability of Afforestation and Reforestation guidelines for oil palm plantations. As in the case of other tree crops, the existing plantations may not be eligible. But new plantations in abandoning chena land ( slash and burn cultivation) that have not been under forest cover on 31/12/1989, and also abundance of de-forested and logged over areas prior to this date that are available, are eligible.
Tree-crops play a significant role in the carbon cycle of eco system. They transport carbon both into and out of eco system through photosynthesis, respiration and regeneration ( death, fall-off etc) CDM in plantations are therefore a complicated activity and several aspects need rationalisation.
As CDM is a market mechanism, it is still under development. New areas are being explored and new rules are being established, so that the institutional frame work must remain efficient in order to promote as a key tool for GHG emission reduction and use it to combat climate change.
Challenges
The CDM projects are now distributed over 49 developing countries, and in the future it is likely that many new areas and very volatile markets for plantation producers will spur other plantation industries also to follow. Globally, there is already an effort made to expand the CDM projects in Africa.
The challenge for CDM activities is to promote positive impacts and avoiding risk of negative effects during the design, implementation and monitoring process. The positive socio-economic impact includes improvement of local income, diversification of production, improved land tenure and participation of local groups in planning, decision making and increased access to capacity building. Likewise, positive impacts of CDM activities on environment are better bio-diversity conservation, improvement in bio-diversity index and reduction of soil degradation.
CDM in plantations is workable in Sri Lanka. The oil palm industry although small, should follow the lead given by oil palm industries in other countries e.g. Malaysia. Other tree crops sectors should take advantage of the valuable experience gained by the oil palm industry and follow the lead given by this industry. There are several avenues open for diversified activities.
Unfortunately for rubber, another potential plantation industry for CDM project, there has still not been a single rubber CDM project registered with the UNFCCC. The CDM potential in rubber sector includes, besides the CO2 sequestration or sink in plantations, primary processing of dry rubber ( bio-mass gasifiers ), methane emission reduction from processing effluents-biogas production, avoidance of deforestation by using rubber wood as alternative source of timber and fire wood and in the rubber product manufacturing sector e.g. energy efficiency during mastication, NR-SR substitution, rubberized bitumen for road construction, NR seed oil as bio-diesel, reducing rolling assistance of tyres etc.
Way Forward
There may be much excitement as we move forward to the post 2012 period. There is a need for hard negotiation, and the focus will be on the development of the Carbon Foot Print standards. A Carbon Foot Print program should include the CFP emissions from production, processing, manufacturing, distribution and end product uses over the whole life cycle of the plantation products. This will then pave the way for the plantation industry to go for less carbon intensive technologies and products, and ultimately to move the industry into a low-carbon economy. The challenge is, how soon can the industry adapt to this change? Agencies in plantations development should work together to mobilise the industry to set-up the regulatory frame work, so as to utilise the CDM and other changes that are made to this mechanism from time to time, and to ensure that environmental integrity is enhanced.
Email : dr.yoga@yahoo.com
Lanka’s private sector to drive Carbon Credits
By Malaka Rodrigo | SundayTimes | 04.05.2008
Behind every crisis, there is an opportunity. Climate Change is predicted as the biggest crisis faced by mankind and will badly hit developing countries like Sri Lanka. But an opportunity has arisen to earn valuable foreign exchange through mechanisms adopted in the fight against Global Warming. Carbon Trading or selling Carbon Credits earned through Green House Gas (GHG) reduction projects is becoming a lucrative business around the world.
To facilitate this, the Sri Lanka Carbon Fund was launched last Monday at a distinguished gathering which included Nobel Laureate Prof Mohan Munasinghe. The main role of the Carbon Fund will be to assist companies and other parities to verify their Carbon Credits and sell them in the international Carbon Market. Addressing the gathering, Dr.B.M.S. Batagoda, CEO of the Carbon Fund, said the fund will bundle the Carbon Credits earned by smaller companies and sell it to international buyers who usually prefer to buy a larger volume. The Carbon Market is demand driven and the prices of a Carbon Credit may vary depending on demand and supply. At present a Carbon tonne is traded for around US$14 and expected to increase as more and more countries start buying carbon credits.
“We should not sell our Carbon Credits cheaply, we should claim a good price for it that can then be used for sustainable development,” noted Prof. Mohan Munasinghe. Reflecting the importance of adopting a sustainable development path, he said that developing countries should not take the same destructive path taken by the industrialized countries which increased global warming.
Sri Lanka has the potential of starting many Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects that could have Certified Emission Reductions (CERs), each equivalent to one tonne of carbon dioxide. However, the project verification process is very rigorous involving a lengthy process.
The CDM project investor should first decide upon the project, decide on the Green House Gas reduction methodology and then approach the Designated National Authority (DNA) for approval. The DNA will verify the project against the national CDM policies and approve accordingly. The project then has to be approved by an independent party known as Designated Operational Entity (DOE) in order to reach its final approval cycle at CDM Executive board of UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). When the consultancy fee and legal charges add-up, the cost of the verification process becomes very high. So it is (so far) not feasible for small-scale investors, but the Carbon Fund is expected to absorb part of this cost by bundling the CDM projects together.
The Climate Change Secretariat, the Designated National Authority (DNA) for CDM projects in Sri Lanka was also launched together with the Carbon Fund last Monday. Anura Jayathilake who will be the head of the Climate Change secretariat will be responsible for undertaking climate change responses, including development of relevant policies and programs. The secretariat will be the watchdog in Climate Change related issues hereafter.
Despite all the difficulties, four CDM projects in Sri Lanka have already received eligibility for Carbon Trading. According to Dr. Batagoda, there are many more CDM projects in the pipeline with five more under evaluation stage. The submitted projects belong to categories such as Landfill Gas Capture, Wind Power, Hydropower, Biomass Fired Power generation, Fuel Switching and Energy Efficiency.
The Carbon Fund will be looking into earning Carbon Credits through the Upper Kotmale Hydro project, Uma Oya hydro project, LNG power plant at Kerawalapitiya and the Moragahakanda power project. One of the CDM proposals currently under scrutiny is to look into the possibilities of replacing age-old train engines with new electric trains. Sri Lanka Railways has a large fleet of very old diesel engines that pollute the environment. There is a lot of potential to improve the train service by putting new trains and adding new railway lines which in turn will attract new commuters to the railway.
There is a potential to increase commuters by 200,000 a day and increase to over a 1.4 million per day in few years. This will reduce a great deal of CO2 emission through fuel savings. However due to various technical, financial and economic barriers this project is not possible in the near future. These barriers can be removed through developing this project as a CDM project since the CDM revenue can meet part of the investment costs.
Dr. Batagoda is optimistic about processes that could be achieved through the carbon fund, but the path is not without barriers. The state projects are less likely to be approved due to additional issues while it’s the private sector that would be able to achieve the objectives of the Carbon Fund. Talking about the role of the Private Sector, Parakrama Jayasinghe, Director of Haycarb, emphasized the benefits from CDM projects to the private sector companies. He pointed out the bonus advantages that can be gained through energy saving projects that will bring additional saving to the pocket.
The Carbon Fund Ltd. will function as a private company jointly established by the government and the private sector. The majority of the shares will belong to the government and the board will consist of the Secretary to the Treasury, Secretary to the Environment Minister, the Chairman Central Environment Authority and three nominees from shareholders. Another professional will be nominated by the Environment Minister who will be an eminent person in the fields of environment, management, law, banking/finance and marketing.
Launch of Climate Change Secretariat and Sri Lanka Carbon Fund
By Shabna Cader | The Nation | 04.05.2008
Global warming is a threat to all of us. In brief, global warming is an increase in the average temperature of the earth. Although, we have been told over and over again that, it is one of the biggest threats faced by man, many of us have little understanding about the situation or how to contribute to make it better.
The launch of the Climate Change Secretariat and Sri Lanka Carbon Fund would be ways of dealing with the arising problem. The launch was held on April 28, at the Ceylon Continental Hotel, Colombo with Senior Advisor on Climate Change, Professor Mohan Munasinghe, Director of Climate Change and Global Affairs Division, Anura Jayatilake, Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lanka Carbon Fund Limited, Dr. B. M. S. Batagoda, Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lanka Carbon Fund Limited, L. Parakrama, Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka and Patali Champaka Ranawake, Minister of Environment.
Doing it for our children
The officials were quick to point out that, it was our duty, to take action against global warming. “We have to work with not just ourselves, but with our children, as well. It is they, who are going to feel the brunt of our actions. The problems are very serious and we know, what to do. We need to reorganise and take control,” said Prof. Munasinghe.
Another major issue is that, poor countries of the world, are affected mostly by global warming. But the irony is that, most of the time, they are the ones, who contribute less, to global warming, since they emit relatively less toxic gases, to the environment, compared to industrialised nations.
“The poor countries and most vulnerable citizens, will suffer the most, even though, they have contributed less to global warming. The climate change is not a future scenario. The world does not lack financial resources, or the technological capabilities, to act. What is missing is a sense of urgency, human solidarity and collective interest,” Prof. Munasinghe said.
Causes and effects
Although, natural phenomenon contributes to global warming, it is the acts of humans, which contribute mostly, to global warming. “Climate change can be caused by human influence, as well as, natural phenomenon,” Senior Advisor on Climate Change said. “However the ‘Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’ leaves us with no doubt that, human activity is the primary driver of the observed changes, in climate. These changes can be caused by the release of greenhouse gases, aerosols and cloudiness. The largest known contribution comes from the burning of fossil fuels. Abundance of these particles can lead to a warming or cooling, of the climate system.”
Effects of climate change
An increase in the surface temperature.
A rise in the sea level.
Decrease in snow and ice.
Changes in precipitation.
Inequity and poverty.
Conflicts over anything else, that is vital.
Climate change and development
Prof. Munasinghe was also quick to point out the development implications, of global warming. Climate change affects natural resources, that are vital in development. “Climate change affects the natural resource base, and therefore development. In turn, during the development process, carbon emissions are released, and therefore, cause a change in the climate. We are not only talking about solutions from the Government, but also other businesses. They are the movers and the shakers, and both have to work together, to do something without blaming,” said Prof. Munasinghe.
Dealing with the problem
So, what can we do, to solve this problem? Where does Sri Lanka stand and its point of view? The government of Sri Lanka, in support of the attempts made by the global community, towards addressing the challenges of climate change, has ratified the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change. Although Sri Lanka, is a low greenhouse gas emitting country, with no commitment to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol, acceded in 2002.
In order to comply with the requirements of the UNFCCC, Sri Lanka has prepared its first Green House Gas (GHG) Inventory in 1994. As a developing country, Sri Lanka is faced with several challenges, in responding to Climate Change. The main challenge is the poverty of vulnerable communities.
Lack of awareness among policy makers and decision makers, lack of coherent effort, to integrate climate change dimensions, into the main development framework of the country, inadequate financial resources etc, appear to be key constraints, in responding to climate change.
Sri Lanka’s approach to solve these issues, has been in many ways. The founding of the Sri Lanka Carbon Fund on April 9, aims at reducing the carbon emission of our country, to an estimated amount of 6,232,468 tons of carbon per year. Out of the total 15 million tons of carbon, marketed in the international market, so far Sri Lanka has sold only 174,000 tons of carbon. This is mainly due to the fact that, Sri Lankan carbon emission reduction projects are so small, and hence less competitive, in the international market, and there is no mechanism, to bundle small projects in to economically viable projects.
Objectives of the SLCF
To provide technical and financial assistance to the CDM Project developers for the preparation of project documentation.
To facilitate CDM sales agreement negotiations.
To facilitate CDM bundling of small CDM projects
To facilitate access to capital funding for CDM projects, through commercial banks.
To provide investment capital for CDM projects.
To engage in carbon trading, through purchasing and subsequent sale for carbon credit.
The Climate Change Secretariat has been established, at the Minitry of Environment and Natural Resources for the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol.
Objectives of CCS
Provide a platform to address climate change issues at the national level.
Serve as the dedicated institutional mechanism on climate change responses.
Function as the repository databank of Climate Change information.
Facilitate climate change related search and distribution of research results, to trigger policy reforms and actions.
Establish a mechanism, to monitor impacts of responses to Climate Change.
Liaise with the Secretariat to the UNFCCC and discharge Sri Lanka’s Serve as Secretariat for Designated National Authority for CDM projects.
Provide a one step facility, to disseminate information, relating to the implementation of the decisions taken at the UNFCCC/COP meetings and Meeting of Parties to the Kyoto Protocol. We should be aware of, what our world is coming to. We can no longer be just safe, but we need to understand the problems at hand, come together and work as a team, in order to make it through bad times. As Prof. Munasinghe mentioned, “We know, what we need to do,” so, let us do just that.
Lessons from oil palm experiences in CDM
By : Dr.N.Yogaratnam Chairman, Tree Crops Agro Consultants | The Nation | 04.01.2009
In estate transport, the production of palm bio-diesel based on waste oil and waste fats from biogenic origin can be used as fuel. The fossil fuel requirement will be displaced by this practice, thus effecting GHG emission reduction. There is already a UNFCCC methodology for such activity.
The oil palm industry should also examine the applicability of Afforestation and Reforestation guidelines for oil palm plantations. As in the case of other tree crops, the existing plantations may not be eligible. But new plantations in abandoning chena land ( slash and burn cultivation) that have not been under forest cover on 31/12/1989, and also abundance of de-forested and logged over areas prior to this date that are available, are eligible
Climate change is considered as one of the most serious threats to sustainable development where its impacts on environment, human health, food security, economic activities, natural resources and physical infrastructure, are likely to be devastating. There have been, therefore, global plans to combat this menace since 1972, a period covering over 35 years. But still it remains a threat.
The first collective international political response really began in 1992, when the first treaty called the United Nations Frame Work Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was adopted. This subsequently led to the creation on the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
The Koyoto Protocol Clean Development Mechanism, has now passed the 1000th project milestone. This significant achievement reflected the success and redoubled efforts made to expand the mechanism. The CDM projects have thus far generated 135 million Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) and by the first commitment period from 2008 to 2012, it is expected to generate more than 2.7 million CERs. With the 1000 projects in 49 developing countries in just 2 ½ years from 2005, the CDM has shown its potential, and is maturing to be a winner in the global field of Carbon Trading. It is clear that there is still much greater potential that can be realised while respecting the obligation of ensuring environmental integrity and making the mechanism as simple as possible.
Further, with the speed for market requirements to cut down the GHG emission, the ISO standards, ISO 14064 and ISO 14065 have been develop to quantify the GHG emissions in the entity, in project validation and verification.
Work is currently in progress to develop the Carbon Foot Print (CFP) standards for quantification and for communication on the eco-labels of products and services. With this CFP standards development, there will be harmonised methodologies for uniform measurements of carbon utilisation and reporting of carbon reduction efforts globally. This will progress further to less-carbon intensive products and services, thereby paving way for a low-carbon economy in the future.
Reductions in CFP in travelling is another area of priority.
Oil Palm
For the purpose of illustration, indicative values from Malaysia, one of the leading oil palm grower and oil palm CDM projects developer, are considered in this article. Malaysia produced around 15.88 million tons and 19.95 million tons of crude palm oil and palm kernel oil, respectively in 2006. This contribution is about 12% of the world production of 17 major oils and fats, which amounted to 22.8% of the world export of oils and fats, thus providing a steady supply of food, or oleo-chemicals and energy in global scenario.
In the process of extracting these oils, a large volume of lingo-cellulosic bio-mass in the form of empty fruit bunches, fiber, shell and liquid effluent in the mill, while in the field, pruned fronds from harvests of ripe bunches and whole crown of fronds and trunks during replanting, are available. These cellulosic bio-masse especially those at the mills are readily available as steady sources of solid fuel for renewable energy production.
The percentages of available bio-mass in every ton of fresh fruit bunches processed at the mill are illustrated in Table 1.
The fiber and shell are usually burnt to generate steam and power for the mill. With more efficient boilers, it is expected that there will be excess shell and fiber available as solid fuel for other uses.
Surplus
These surplus materials have in the past, returned to the field as dead mulches, but now, with increased demand for them as sources of renewable energy, they are utilised for such purposes. The fuel characteristics of oil palm bio-mass at the mill are indicated in Table 2.
Although in some aspects, palm bio-mass may not be as good as coal, it does not mean that it is inferior as a solid fuel, since in a different role, it may in fact enhance coal combustibility.
Based on the calorific value, it is estimated that, if the entire bio-mass produced in an year are used as energy source, it is equivalent to over 50 million barrels of oil ( Table 3).
Renewable Energy
As a potential renewable energy source available at the mill, greater use of it as an alternate fuel should be considered in view of the wide fluctuations in the price of fossil fuels. This has now dipped to around US$ 33 per barrel from US$ 145 per barrel in early 2008. With stabilistion of global economy by around end of 2009 or early 2010, the demand for fossil fuel is expected to rise, resulting in renouncing of fossil fuel prices- a very unstable scenario.
Many mills have, therefore embarked on converting empty fruit bunches into more convenient and steady source of liquid and gaseous fuel for more specific uses based on techniques such as pyrolysis, gasification, bio conversation etc. Nevertheless as these technologies are still in the early stages of development, more R&D initiatives are required for commercialisation of such technologies. The CDM potential in such technologies are expected to accelerate R&D activities in the development of renewable energy program with the use of palm oil bio-mass.
Licences also have been provided to construct palm bio-mass power generation to the national grid in Malaysia, and it is expected that together with the incentive offered under CDM activity of the Koyoto protocol, this process will be accelerated.
As it is, Malaysia has generated vast experience in palm oil CDM projects. To date, a total of 16 CDM projects involving palm bio-mass have been registered with the UNFCCC and CERs have been generated by fossil fuel displacement.
Since the introduction of CDM projects in Malaysian palm oil industry, a total of 21 projects have been submitted and to date 16 projects have been registered with UNFCCC, 6 projects under review and 11 projects are open for comments.
The 16 registered oil palm bio-mass projects, have provided carbon credits in the region of 1,850,085 tCO2eq. The 6 other projects that have reached the review stage and 11 projects that are under comments from the public. When taken together, the potential CERs expected to be generated additionally in the near future is around 642,012. There are 40 more projects that are under consideration by the energy technical committee.
The Annex 1, countries sponsoring the 16 registered projects are:- Canada / 4 ; Denmark / 3 ; Japan / 3 ; UK / 3 ; France / 1 ; Germany / 1 and Switzerland / 1.
Some uses of palm bio-mass in emission reduction by fossil-fuel-displacement are listed in Table 4. A total of 428,045 CERs have been issued, indicating that the emission reductions were verified, certified and issued. All these are expected to, in addition to providing monitory gains, cause mitigating effects on the impact of climate change, a very significant contribution to environmental management.
Opportunities to limit GFG in plantations
Although the opportunities in the palm oil mill have been discussed at length, there are also ample opportunities in the field in plantations for GHG emission reduction.
Plantations, with the use of leguminous plants, can reduce the use of nitrogenous fertilisers thereby minimising volatilisation of N2O, another potent GHG with 290 global warming units. In other words, 1 ton of N2O has the potential of global warming equivalent to 290 t of CO2.
In estate transport, the production of palm bio-diesel based on waste oil and waste fats from biogenic origin can be used as fuel. The fossil fuel requirement will be displaced by this practice, thus effecting GHG emission reduction. There is already a UNFCCC methodology for such activity.
The oil palm industry should also examine the applicability of Afforestation and Reforestation guidelines for oil palm plantations. As in the case of other tree crops, the existing plantations may not be eligible. But new plantations in abandoning chena land ( slash and burn cultivation) that have not been under forest cover on 31/12/1989, and also abundance of de-forested and logged over areas prior to this date that are available, are eligible.
Tree-crops play a significant role in the carbon cycle of eco system. They transport carbon both into and out of eco system through photosynthesis, respiration and regeneration ( death, fall-off etc) CDM in plantations are therefore a complicated activity and several aspects need rationalisation.
As CDM is a market mechanism, it is still under development. New areas are being explored and new rules are being established, so that the institutional frame work must remain efficient in order to promote as a key tool for GHG emission reduction and use it to combat climate change.
Challenges
The CDM projects are now distributed over 49 developing countries, and in the future it is likely that many new areas and very volatile markets for plantation producers will spur other plantation industries also to follow. Globally, there is already an effort made to expand the CDM projects in Africa.
The challenge for CDM activities is to promote positive impacts and avoiding risk of negative effects during the design, implementation and monitoring process. The positive socio-economic impact includes improvement of local income, diversification of production, improved land tenure and participation of local groups in planning, decision making and increased access to capacity building. Likewise, positive impacts of CDM activities on environment are better bio-diversity conservation, improvement in bio-diversity index and reduction of soil degradation.
CDM in plantations is workable in Sri Lanka. The oil palm industry although small, should follow the lead given by oil palm industries in other countries e.g. Malaysia. Other tree crops sectors should take advantage of the valuable experience gained by the oil palm industry and follow the lead given by this industry. There are several avenues open for diversified activities.
Unfortunately for rubber, another potential plantation industry for CDM project, there has still not been a single rubber CDM project registered with the UNFCCC. The CDM potential in rubber sector includes, besides the CO2 sequestration or sink in plantations, primary processing of dry rubber ( bio-mass gasifiers ), methane emission reduction from processing effluents-biogas production, avoidance of deforestation by using rubber wood as alternative source of timber and fire wood and in the rubber product manufacturing sector e.g. energy efficiency during mastication, NR-SR substitution, rubberized bitumen for road construction, NR seed oil as bio-diesel, reducing rolling assistance of tyres etc.
Way Forward
There may be much excitement as we move forward to the post 2012 period. There is a need for hard negotiation, and the focus will be on the development of the Carbon Foot Print standards. A Carbon Foot Print program should include the CFP emissions from production, processing, manufacturing, distribution and end product uses over the whole life cycle of the plantation products. This will then pave the way for the plantation industry to go for less carbon intensive technologies and products, and ultimately to move the industry into a low-carbon economy. The challenge is, how soon can the industry adapt to this change?
Agencies in plantations development should work together to mobilise the industry to set-up the regulatory frame work, so as to utilise the CDM and other changes that are made to this mechanism from time to time, and to ensure that environmental integrity is enhanced.
Email : dr.yoga@yahoo.com
http://www.nation.lk/2009/01/04/busi6.htm
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