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G8 Climate Scorecards 2009

Canada Climate Scorecard 2009
Overall G8 Ranking: 8

Bottom of the heap is Canada, where emissions are increasing and far above the now-abandoned Kyoto Protocol target. Despite extensive hydropower, per capita emissions are among the highest in the world. Oil production from Canada's tar sands is extremely energy intensive.

Canada wants to cut emissions by 20 percent below 2006 levels by 2020, only 2.7 percent below 1990 levels. Carbon capture and storage and ethanol have federal backing, but it is individual provinces that have introduced ambitious measures like carbon taxes or cap and trade plans.

Source: Allianz/WWF G8 Climate Scorecards 2009
Photo: Reuters

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G8 Climate Scorecards 2009

United States Climate Scorecard 2009
Overall G8 Ranking: 7

Barack Obama has hauled the U.S. out of last place with ambitious plans for energy efficiency, renewables, and a cap-and-trade scheme. But Americans are still the biggest emitters in the G8, emissions are still rising, and the country will still miss its Kyoto target.

Heavily reliant on coal and oil, the U.S. does now have a stimulus package biased towards renewables and green building. State policies on fuel standards, renewables, and cap-and-trade schemes often outstrip federal government plans.

Source: Allianz/WWF G8 Climate Scorecards 2009
Photo: Reuters

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G8 Climate Scorecards 2009

Russia Climate Scorecard 2009
Overall G8 Ranking: 6

Because Soviet-era industry collapsed in the 1990s Russia has far exceeded its Kyoto target. Per capita emissions are average for industrialized countries but they are rising in a country that is very energy-inefficient.

Russia ranks last among the G8 for its policies for the future. It plans to divert gas for export and use coal for domestic consumption. Government policies on renewables and energy efficiency lack practical support or legislation.

Source: Allianz/WWF G8 Climate Scorecards 2009
Photo: Reuters

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G8 Climate Scorecards 2009

Japan Climate Scorecard 2009
Overall G8 Ranking: 5

Japan has relatively low emissions due to high energy efficiency in industry and its use of nuclear power. However, Japan’s absolute emissions are rising, it is well short of its Kyoto target, and its proposed emissions reduction of 15 percent by 2020 is not enough.

Japan has strong energy efficiency standards for appliances, lighting, air conditioning, water heating, vehicles and fuel economy. Its public transport network is very well developed. Nuclear power is expanding in Japan but renewables are weak.

Source: Allianz/WWF G8 Climate Scorecards 2009
Photo: Reuters

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G8 Climate Scorecards 2009

Italy Climate Scorecard 2009
Overall G8 Ranking: 4

Italy is less industrialized and more agricultural than other rich countries so its per capita emissions are the lowest of the G8. Yet absolute emissions are rising and it is nowhere near meeting its Kyoto target. Oil and gas dominate the energy mix and coal-fired power plants are planned.

Italy is increasing the share of renewables, but in general its climate policy is weak and Italy regularly blocks progress towards a common European energy and climate change strategy.

Source: Allianz/WWF G8 Climate Scorecards 2009
Photo: Reuters

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G8 Climate Scorecards 2009

France Climate Scorecard 2009
Overall G8 Ranking: 3

France takes a podium place thanks to its relatively low emissions and beating its Kyoto target, partly due to extensive use of nuclear energy. It now has a legally-binding target of 75 percent reduction in emissions by 2050 but no clear path to that goal.

France wants to cut energy consumption of existing buildings by 38 percent by 2020 and has financial incentives for energy efficiency, biofuels and renewables. It will remain a strong supporter of nuclear power.

Source: Allianz/WWF G8 Climate Scorecards 2009
Photo: Reuters

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G8 Climate Scorecards 2009

United Kingdom Climate Scorecard 2009
Overall G8 Ranking: 2

The UK takes silver, largely due to beating its Kyoto target, low energy intensity, and legally-binding legislation to reduce emissions by 34 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. It also wants all new houses to be zero carbon by 2016.

However, the UK is well short of its current target of 20 percent reduced emissions by 2010. Coal is making a comeback while renewables are a very small part of the energy mix. The government has also abandoned plans for increased road fuel taxation and clean fuel standards.

Source: Allianz/WWF G8 Climate Scorecards 2009
Photo: Reuters

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G8 Climate Scorecards 2009

Germany Climate Scorecard 2009
Overall G8 Ranking: 1

Germany is number one! Emissions have fallen a fifth since 1990, renewables provide 14 percent of electricity (helped by feed-in tariffs and a strong wind sector), and Germany aims to reduce emissions by 40 percent by 2020.

Nuclear power will be phased out, but the majority of new power plants will burn coal or lignite. Germany is also protecting the auto industry from stricter controls and proposing giving away emissions trading credits to energy-intensive industries.

Source: Allianz/WWF G8 Climate Scorecards 2009
Photo: Reuters

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G8 Climate Scorecards 2009

Brazil Climate Scorecard 2009

Brazil's emissions are rising steadily, driven mostly by deforestation and agriculture. The energy mix is diverse with hydropower keeping electricity emissions down and biofuels powering many vehicles. Sugarcane currently generates more 'energy' than hydropower.

Brazil aims to reduce Amazon deforestation 70 percent by 2017 and increase reforestation, thereby eliminating net forest loss by 2015. It also wants to substitute petrol with ethanol and increase nuclear capacity. However, targets and general actions for other sectors look like business as usual.

Source: Allianz/WWF G8 Climate Scorecards 2009
Photo: Reuters

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G8 Climate Scorecards 2009

China Climate Scorecard 2009

China's emissions have more than doubled since 1990 and it is the most energy-inefficient of all G5 and G8 nations, although per capita emissions are average for developing countries. Coal generates nearly two thirds of energy, renewables' share has shrunk by 10 percent.

China aims to improve energy efficiency by closing down small inefficient power plants and factories, and introducing new standards for appliances, buildings, and vehicles. Beijing has a 15 percent target for renewables by 2020, with feed in tariffs and wind and hydro energy quotas for utility companies.

Source: Allianz/WWF G8 Climate Scorecards 2009
Photo: Reuters

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G8 Climate Scorecards 2009

India Climate Scorecard 2009

India's emissions have rocketed nearly 80 percent since 1990, although per capita emissions are well below developing country average. More than half the population have no electricity. Coal and oil dominate the energy mix while rice fields and livestock emit large amounts of methane.

India eschews emissions reduction targets, arguing they would hinder development. It wants to reduce energy intensity 20 percent by 2016-17 by improving industrial energy efficiency and the electricity grid, diversifying the energy mix, and backing off-grid power generation with renewables.

Source: Allianz/WWF G8 Climate Scorecards 2009
Photo: Reuters

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G8 Climate Scorecards 2009

Mexico Climate Scorecard 2009

Mexico's emissions per capita are average for developing countries but will increase faster in the future. Oil and natural gas are the dominant energy sources with renewables' share of the energy mix falling since 1990.

Mexico made headlines in 2008 by announcing a plan to reduce emissions by 50 percent by 2050, the first major developing nation to commit to such a goal. A quarter of energy will come from renewables by 2012. Hybrid buses, "green mortgages", better regulation of the oil and gas sector, and a national cap and trade program are in the pipeline.

Source: Allianz/WWF G8 Climate Scorecards 2009
Photo: Reuters

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G8 Climate Scorecards 2009

South Africa Climate Scorecard 2009

South Africa's rising emissions per capita are well above those of most developing countries and not far behind most industrialized countries. Even so, over 30 percent of people have no access to modern energy. Over seventy percent of South Africa's energy comes from coal.

South Africa has the most comprehensive emissions reduction plan of the G5 countries, promising a shift from coal to cleaner natural gas, energy efficiency targets for industry and buildings, planned targets for renewables and a feed-in tariff for clean electricity.

Source: Allianz/WWF G8 Climate Scorecards 2009
Photo: Reuters

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United States Climate Change Profile
Part 3: Impact on Environment and Society

A vast and geographically diverse country, the United States might see many of the environmental changes anticipated in the latest UN Climate Change Report including heat waves, droughts, and severe storms.

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