REACH

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the greenhouse effect?
• What is climate change?
• Why is the concentration in greenhouse gases changing?
• What are probable impacts of climate change?
• What can we do about it?
• What is the international community doing?
• What is ADB's role?
• Want more information?

What is the greenhouse effect?

Some gases such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, play an important role in the energy balance of the Earth. Without these gases, the surface temperature of the Earth would be about 35 degrees Celsius lower. This process is called the greenhouse effect and the gases involved are called greenhouse gases.

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What is climate change?

An increase in atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases results in a change of the Earth's temperature. This is predicted using up-to-date computers and software. How much the temperature will alter is not certain yet, but all models indicate the same direction -- increase! This will result in what is called global warming. Due to global warming, regional climate events such as rainfall patterns, evaporation, and cloud formation will change and will consequently lead to climate change in the long run.

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Why are the concentrations in greenhouse gases changing?

The natural concentrations of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) are regulated by the Earth and its biosphere through uptake and release by natural cycles and through destruction in the atmosphere.

However, since the industrial revolution, the emissions of these gases have been significantly increased in a relatively very short time mainly due to burning of fossil fuel, industrial processes, and increase in agriculture activities. Moreover, other 'non-natural' greenhouse gases were introduced such as the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are quite persistent in the atmosphere. At the same time, the ability of the Earth to absorb the major greenhouse gas - CO₂ is being reduced by unsustainable use of land and forest.

The biggest emitters of greenhouse gases are the countries in the developed world since they are the biggest energy consumers; the biggest of all is the USA. However, it is predicted that within 15 years countries such as People's Republic of China and India will also belong to the bigger energy consumers.

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What are probable impacts of climate change?

Based on computer models, scientists came to the conclusion that global warming will result in an increase in average global surface temperature, average global sea level rise, and a global increase in precipitation.

These changes will have an impact, among others, on

• Coastal areas (inundation of coastal lands including low-lying atolls, erosion of beaches and coastlines)
• Forest (geographical range, decrease of forest health and production)
• Agriculture (change in crops, change in yield, increased irrigation demands)
• Health (increase in diseases, weather related mortality)
• Water resources (change in supply, reduction of quality)

At this moment it is very difficult to predict what effect the changes will have on the regional level.

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What can we do about it?

1. Reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases. By using energy more efficiently, switching to cleaner technologies, and looking for new resources we can achieve this.

• Using energy more efficiently, not only in electricity generation, but also in industrial processes and in transport can reduce CO₂ emissions.
• The use of clean technologies such as wind, solar, as well as proper use of biomass and biogas as fuel will result in reduction of greenhouse gases concentration in the atmosphere
• New fuel resources such as hydrogen might result in almost zero emission energy generation.

Not only in the energy sector can reductions be achieved but also in the agricultural and social sectors, especially for CH₄.

2. Restore Earth's capacity to absorb CO₂ by reforestation and afforestation. Although this will take some time considerable, amounts of CO₂ can be fixated.

3. Adapt to potential effects of climate change. Although it is not certain on what kind of local changes climate change will result, several no-regret options can already be taken, some of them with no or minimal additional financial resources.

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What is the international community doing?

Although the principles of the enhanced greenhouse effect are known for some time, climate-change oriented research intensified from the 70's onwards. While scientists more or less agreed that increased emissions would alter Earth's temperature, policy makers were not then convinced.

It was in late 90's that policymakers began to play a more prominent role in climate change. This resulted in several initiative such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), an institute that provide policymakers tailor made knowledge on Climate Change, and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), which provides grants for projects on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Desertification.

During the United Nations Environment Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, a Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was established . About 160 countries promised to combat climate change, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Concrete measures were designed and discussed a year after.

In 1997 the countries came to an agreement on the concepts of these measures. This agreement is called the Kyoto Protocol which stated how developed countries would reduce their national emissions. The final details on these Kyoto Protocol measures (Domestic Actions, Emission Trading, Joint Implementation, and Clean Development Mechanism) are laid down in what is called the Marrakech Accords (2001). The Kyoto Protocol will probably enter into force in early 2004.

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What is ADB's role?

Since 1992, ADB has been supporting its developing member countries (DMCs) in coping with potential changes in climate through several technical assistance projects. Apart from building the capacity of policymakers, financiers, academia, non-government organizations and other organizations regarding the science and impacts of climate change, ADB is presently more oriented to assist DMCs in taking actual measures in adaptation, mitigation, and carbon sequestration from policymaking to project development.

ADB also stimulates the use of clean energy technologies especially in rural areas. Special attention is paid to relating this with aspects of livelihood improvement and poverty reduction.

ADB's Technical Assistance activities related to climate change, renewable energy and energy efficiency are presently carried out under the interdepartmental program called Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency and Climate Change abbreviated to REACH.

A Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Facillity was established in ADB in August 2003.

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Want more information?

If you want more information on ADB's program on climate change and sustainable use of energy, just visit our website or send us an e-mail. You can also visit the portal Climate Ark for more generic information on climate change and renewable energy.

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