scholarly journals Trade liberalisation and greenhouse gas emissions: the case of dairying in the European Union and New Zealand

Author(s):  
Caroline Saunders ◽  
Anita Wreford ◽  
Selim Cagatay
Author(s):  
Edyta Gajos ◽  
Sylwia Małażewska ◽  
Konrad Prandecki

The aim of the study was to compare the total greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union countries and their emission efficiency. Emission efficiency was calculated as the ratio of emission volume and value to gross value added generated by the economy of a given country (size of the economy). The necessary statistical data was obtained from Eurostat. It was found that in 2015 most of greenhouse gases were emitted by: Germany, United Kingdom, Poland, France and Italy. At the same time, France and the United Kingdom were characterized by one of the best emission efficiency in the European Union, Germany and Italy obtained average results, while Poland was in the group of countries with the lowest emission efficiency. Therefore, it can be concluded, that the volume of emissions is significantly affected by the size of the economy. Some large emitters have economies based on relatively “clean” technologies and thus their potential to further reduction is not very high. The reverse is true for some low-emission countries, such as Estonia and Bulgaria. This indicates the need for a more comprehensive look at the problem of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.


2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miranda A. Schreurs

The Paris Agreement would not have come into being had China, the United States (US), and the European Union (EU), which together contribute more than half of all global greenhouse gas emissions, not signaled their intent to take major steps to reduce their domestic emissions. The EU has been at the forefront of global climate change measures for years having issued binding domestic emission reduction targets for 2020 and 2030. For many years, China refused to announce a target date for when it might begin reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, and the US Congress blocked action on climate change.  In the lead up to the Paris climate negotiations, however, there were major shifts in China’s and the US’s climate positions. This commentary examines the climate policies of the three largest emitters and the factors motivating the positions they took in the Paris negotiations. Given that the commitments made in Paris are most likely insufficient to keep global temperature from rising 2 °C above pre-industrial levels, the commentary also considers what the likelihood is that these three major economies will strengthen their emission reduction targets in the near future.


Author(s):  
Konrad PRANDECKI ◽  
Edyta GAJOS

Reducing greenhouse gases emissions is one of the major environmental challenges of the modern world. The European Union (EU) has set itself ambitious reduction targets. Proper monitoring of emissions and its valuation is necessary to achieve this goal. In addition, valuation (in monetary terms) will help to raise awareness of the climate change costs among society. The aim of this article is to present international comparisons within the EU covering the monitoring and valuation of aggregate emissions of selected greenhouse gases in general and in agriculture. The study uses Eurostat data for the years 2007-2015. The evaluation was based on the average annual price of carbon dioxide allowances under the European Union Emissions Trading System. Leipzig stock market data were used to determine the price. The study compares the total greenhouse gas emissions and its value in different EU countries. These results show that the largest emitters in the EU are Germany, United Kingdom, France. A comparison of per capita and per GDP emissions results in an almost reversal of this order. The share of agriculture in greenhouse gas emissions was 11% in 2015 and ranged between countries from 3% (Malta) do 32% (Ireland). The results show also that the decline in value is greater than the decrease in emissions. This is due to the dramatic change in the price of allowances. The decrease in quantity of agricultural emission was 0,5%, whilst the decrease in value was 55,5% between years 2008 and 2015.


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