Social Constraints and Enabling Mechanisms of Managing the Regional Carbon Budget in NA
Based on the discussion held during the first meeting of the Mexican Carbon Program (PMC), it was suggested that four major topics be promoted – or as the case may be – consolidated:
- First and second order determinants in the emission of greenhouse gases owing principally to the “use” of energy sources and changes in land usage. Among the determinants the following are of particular relevance: demographic dynamics, economic growth, technological development and institutional dynamics. It was suggested that the following be studied a) the space-time contribution of human activities in carbon storage and flows; b) the space-time contributions of emissions activities; c) the agreements or – in their absence – discrepancies between scales. The topics were summarized in the question: what is known about the carbon cycle?
- Regional and Sectoral impact of changes in the carbon cycle and the climatic system (coastal regions, cities, agriculture, water). The topics were determined in answer to the question concerning impact.
- Planned and spontaneous social perceptions and responses (mitigation and adaptation). Key topics here are a) relations between mitigation, adaptation and sustainable development; b) design and evaluation of management of projects for the capture of carbon via the management of ecosystems (forests and seas, for example) and their environmental services; c) design and evaluation of programs for warning systems, disaster response, public health and climatic predictions. The topic is linked to the discussion concerning what needs to be done.
- Analysis and management tools. The key topics are a) construction of a language available to distinct disciplines and social sectors; b) scenarios, measurement balances and inventories, Kaya identity, modeling of the relationship between society, the carbon cycle and the climatic system.
What have we learned that guides our current understanding of socio-economic influences on regional carbon managementin NA?
What are the needed analyses to further the integration of socio-economic considerations in regional carbon budgets in NA? What are the similarities and differences across the regions?
Can we design a research strategy to move us forward?
Are there case studies which can illustrate the points above?
Key focusing question to guide work group discussions:
•What are the regional social, economic, and environmental constraints that limit the achievable potential for C management related to fossil fuel use and land use?
•How is globalization and regional economic development affecting regional C budgets?
•What socio-economic information is needed to understand current and future trends in carbon budgets?
•What institutions are needed for management of the C-cycle at regional to local levels?
–What designs could they have?
–How would they fit with existing institutions?
–What would their information needs be?
•How will biophysical dynamics affect social decisions to manage regional carbon budgets?
•How do we move toward a rigorous analysis of the coupled biophysical-socio-economic framework to resolve regional carbon budgets?
•What social constraints limit C management?
•What social enabling mechanisms exist for C management?
•What other goals (trade-offs) must be considered (e.g., Sustainable Development goals)?
•What are the scales at which humans influence the C cycle (and how do they do it)?
•By what means can social learning facilitate management of C budgets?