Global Issue & Cooperation: Paris Agreement Mitigation and

Adaptation in Germany & Indonesia

Written by:
Mashita Fajri Maysuro – 2017952245
Verena Aichele – 2017952400
 I. INTRODUCTION

Human influence on the climate system is clear and recent anthropogenic greenhouse
gases emissions are the highest in history (IPCC, 2014). Recent climate changes have
widespread impacts on human and natural systems. At present, the annual global emissions are
approximately 50 billion tons of carbon dioxide where burning fossil fuels is the largest source
of emissions and mostly used for industry and agriculture. Additionally, by combining globally
averaged combined land and ocean surface temperature anomalies, it is calculated that linear
trend show a warming of 0.85 °C over the period 1880 to 2012. These increasing temperature
could affect not only physical system, but human and biological system as well (IPCC, 2014).
Therefore, an action should be taken seriously, both locally and globally.

The global output of greenhouse gas emissions in 2012 was 44 815.54 Mt. The
proportion of the G20-ountries was 76.8%. The exact numbers can be found in the following
table.

Country Quota [%]

1 China 24.5

2 USA 13.9

3 EU 9.8

4 India 6.7
5 Russia 5.2
6 Japan 3.0
7 Brasil 2.3
8 Germany 2.0
9 Indonesia 1.7
10 Mexico 1.6
11 Canada 1.6
12 South Korea 1.5
Source: Höhne et al. (2016)
 Global greenhouse gas emissions. Source: Höhne et al. (2016:2)
As the impact of climate change is worsening, Earth Summit Rio de Janeiro in 1992
generated United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that focus
to stabilize the greenhouse gasses concentration at the level that does not harm the climate
system. To pursue the goal, UNFCCC formed a highest decision-making organization namely
Conference of the Parties (COP). COP is an annual meeting for the involved countries that will
evaluate, monitor, facilitate, and promote the implementation of the convention. On the third
meeting, a consensus was established in the form of a decision to adopt the Kyoto Protocol.
The Kyoto Protocol is the basis for industrialized countries to reduce their combined emissions
of greenhouse gases (GHG) by at least 5% of emissions levels in 1990 over the 2008 to 2012
period. However, this consensus only regulates GHG emission reduction mechanisms
implemented in developed countries. Hence, the COP always try make improvement in each
meeting.

To streamline the implementation of the climate change convention until 2012, the 13th
COP meeting in Indonesia established an Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative
Action under the Convention. In accordance with COP-17 decision 2011 in Durban, South
Africa, the working group have mandate to develop protocols, other legal instruments under
the Convention applicable to all applicable countries all Parties), which must be completed by
2015 at the COP-21 meeting. The COP-21 meeting was held in Paris where the States Parties
have agreed to adopt a series of decisions including Decision 1 on Adoption of the Paris
Agreement as the main result. The Paris Agreement reflects equality and principles of
collective responsibility according to the capabilities and national conditions. The main goal
of this agreement is to keep the increasing temperature still lower than 2 degrees and to place
after Kyoto Protocol expire in 2020. Rather than imposing targets, each country made voluntary
pledges for reducing carbon emissions (NDC). Hence, our group objective is to compare the
voluntary pledges or the NDC of developed country, Germany, and developing country,
Indonesia.

II. MATERIAL & METHOD

The method used in writing this paper is literature study method. Nazir (1998) stated
that literature study is a technique of data collection by conducting a study of books, literature,
records, and reports relating to the problem solved. Researcher collect information from
librarian sources, including books, journals, seminar proceedings, research results, and other
appropriate sources (internet, etc.). In this paper, literature study is intended to obtain
supporting data on solutions to climate change and other related issues. Then the next step is
to study the sources and relate it to the topic of research.
 III. RESULTS

3.1 Implications for Germany of the Long-Term Goals of the Paris Agreement

The long-term global climate goals of the Paris Agreement imply the necessity for
enhanced efforts for greenhouse gas emissions reductions in Germany. The phrasing of the
long term goals of the Paris Agreement goes beyond prior political consensus. Developed
countries such as Germany have to decrease greenhouse gas emissions to zero earlier than the
global average, i.e. CO2 emissions before 2035.

The share of renewable energies (electricity production, building heating and cooling,
industry, and transport) should reach 100% in Germany before 2035. The provision of
electricity completely from renewable sources should be reached before 2030. This assumes
the agreed phase out of nuclear energy and no use of CCS. The lignite and hard coal phase-out
from electricity production should be achieved by around 2025 in Germany. Avoidance of
travel, modal shift and increase in share of cars without combustion engine, e.g. through the
development of electric mobility, are necessary beyond current targets in Germany. 5% of
Germany’s existing buildings need to be renovated to nearly zero energy standards per year, in
addition to 100% of new stock conforming to nearly zero energy standards. Energy efficiency
and electrification in industry have to be enhanced, in addition to research and development.
Emissions from agriculture and forestry need to eventually be reduced to nearly zero as well,
even if a little later than energy related emissions.

Sector Indicator Targets of German Challenge Callenge at

Government for 2°C 1.5°C Limit
Limit according to
Paris
Agreement
Greenhouse gas Time which Strengthening trade 2050-2060 Before 2035
emission emissions from with CO2 in EU as
energy need to incentive for
be zero reduction of CO2
 Renewable Share of 30% by 2030 100% by 100% before
energy renewable 45% by 2040 2050 2030
energy 80% by 2050
Power Time at which Strengthening trade 2050 Around 2025
generation emissions from with CO2 in EU as
through fossil coal fired incentive for
fuels generation reduction of CO2
should be zero
Mobility Share of cars 6 million in 2030 23% in 100% before
without (about 14%) 2030 2035
combustion Biofuel 100% in
engine (electric Ships: Use of Methan 2050
motor) Financial support of
trains
Change from fuel to
electricity
Buildings Annual rate for 1% 2-3.5% 5%
energy related Renovation of
renovation of buildings -> CO2
buildings neutral
Industry Time at which Strengthening trade 2050-2060 Before 2035
emissions form with CO2 in EU as
energy use incentive for
should be zero reduction of CO2

Agriculture and Sustainable

Forestry cultivation of forests
Reduction of
emission of farming
Reduction of food
waste
Source: Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz, Bau und Reaktorsicherheit (2016)
3.2 Implications for Indonesia of the Long-Term Goals of the Paris Agreement

In 2010 the Government of Indonesia has committed to reduce the GHG emissions by
26% against the business as usual scenario by 2020 and 41% reduction with international
support for finance, technology transfer and development and capacity building. Indonesia’s
Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) outlines the country’s transition to a low carbon
and climate resilience future. The NDC describes the enhanced actions and the necessary
enabling environment during the 2015-2019 period that will lay the foundation contributing to
the concerted effort to prevent 20oC increase in global average temperature and to pursue
efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5oC above pre-industrial levels. These goals will
be achieved by supporting empowerment and capacity building, improved provision of basic
services in health and education, technological innovation, and sustainable natural resource
management, in compliance with principles of good governance.

3.3 Strengths and Limitations of the Paris Agreement

3.3.1 Strengths

200 countries of the world pursue a common goal, to protect the environment
and to limit the rise of temperature below 2°C. (Except of Nicaragua, Syria and USA)
This is the first time in the history, that all states undertake to implement the contract.
They managed to overcome the political inertia and the deep division between rich and
poor countries, the Paris Agreement commits rich countries, rising economies and some
of the poorest countries to work together to curb emissions. It promises a drastic
reduction of greenhouse gas emissions within a few years.

Even if the high goal will not be reached, working mechanisms have been
developed which actually can reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the long run. And the
agreement sends a powerful signal to global markets, hastening the transition away
from fossil fuels and to a clean energy economy.

3.3.2 Limitations

There still remains a gap between goals and reality. Even if every country
which joined the agreement would fully fulfil what their obligations, even than would
the temperature increase for 2.7°C-3°C and not 2°C or even 1.5°C. Anything beyond
this temperature increase would become increasingly devastating. The high goals they
set themselves will probably not be fulfilled. The Paris Agreement promises a
decarbonisation of 40% until 2030. This is not really in compliance with the major trend
in the world, nor can it accommodate the highly optimistic projections for energy
consumption in the future with an almost doubling.

The problem of governance remains as well. Who will control if all the
countries will really meet the obligations? There is a kind of a surveillance by the 5-
years-programms, when the countries have to present their goals for the next 5 years
and explain themselves for the progress of the last 5 years. But the wording of this
surveillance program leaves much room for interpretation and the language they use
allows countries to maintain their status quo for a long while.

The goals are too vague. The Western countries didn’t agree to any concrete
investment target to support the poorer countries adapting to global warming. Specific
commitments are needed, to increase adaptation finance and for that money to be spent
supporting small farmers who are on the front lines of the climate crisis.

Lord Stern, a climate activist said in an interview with The Independent:

“Equality is a big issue. The rich got rich on high-carbon growth and it’s the poor people
of the world who suffer earliest and most.” The great developing countries are still
heavily dependent upon fossil fuels.

It seems to be an undeniable fact that economic development and growth has

been based upon a massive increase in energy consumption of mainly fossil fuels that
has together with deforestation resulted in the CO2 emissions sky-rocketing. Perhaps
full decarbonisation really requires zero economic growth, which would not be accepted
by the financial community.
IV. CONCLUSION
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