Worksheet 7.

7: Management of greenhouse
gases
Achievement so far
Study the figures in this table, which show the progress made by each country towards reaching the Kyoto targets
in the year 2004.

Actual percentage change in Percentage change needed

emissions 1990–2004 / % in emissions by 2012 / %

Canada 27 –6

USA 16 –8

Italy 12 –7

Japan 7 –6

France –1 Nil

UK –12 –11

Germany –18 –21

Russia –32 Nil

Questions
1 Which countries had reached their Kyoto targets by 2004? [2 marks]
2 Which country was furthest away from its Kyoto target in 2004? [1 mark]
3 Suggest reasons why the UK and Germany have made better progress in achieving their Kyoto
targets than Canada and the USA. [3 marks]
4 Outline the problems in attempting to achieve international agreement for reducing the emissions
of greenhouse gases. [4 marks]

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For more information about the Pearson Baccalaureate series please visit www.pearsonbacconline.com
Answers
1 France, UK, Germany and Russia [2 marks]
2 Canada [1 mark]
3 They are smaller countries; they have better and more established public transport; they have less
fossil fuel resources (Germany and UK have largely used up their resources); they are both actively
trying to develop renewable alternatives. [3 marks]
4 It is very difficult to get countries to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases if:
 they think that other countries are not reducing their greenhouse gases
 they believe it will harm their economy (that they will become less competitive)
 that alternative fuels are more expensive
 that they have a plentiful supply of fossil fuel resources. [4 marks]
Total: [10 marks]

© Pearson Education Ltd 2015.

For more information about the Pearson Baccalaureate series please visit www.pearsonbacconline.com