Describe the regional distribution of high total greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.

Explain two reasons why increased trade by emerging economies has led to increased greenhouse gas emissions.

Reason 1:

Reason 2:

Explain how carbon offset schemes and carbon trading might lead to a global reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Award [1] for each valid statement, up to a maximum of [2].

Possibilities include:

• concentration in East Asia/South East Asia/South Asia
• Western Europe/Northern Europe
• Central/Eastern USA
• almost entirely northern hemisphere.

Identification of a valid reason [1] and [1] for further development/exemplification of how it has led to an increase in GHG emissions.

Possibilities must be linked to increased trade and could include:

• Increased export of manufactured goods – increased greenhouse gas emissions from factories/industry producing these.
• TNCs locating manufacturing plants in emerging economies – local regulations may be more lax in terms of emissions.
• Increased trade results in increased greenhouse gas emissions from container shipping/aircraft/road transport of goods.
• Trade in emerging economies may be instrumental in improving standard of living – per capita greenhouse gas emissions increase due to increased consumption (meat, fossil fuels)
• Reliance of emerging economies on fossil fuels.

Award [1] for explaining carbon offsetting and [1] for how it could reduce global emissions.

AND

Award [1] for explaining carbon trading and [1] for how it could reduce global emissions.

Example: Carbon offset schemes are designed to reduce or offset carbon emissions by funding activities and projects [1] such as tree planting or solar power which reduce emissions elsewhere [1].

Example: Carbon trading attempts to create a market in which emission permits issues by governments can be traded [1]. Companies that exceed their targets have to buy from those that do not – this market system attempts to limit emissions [1].

Award a maximum of [2] for a description of carbon emissions offsetting and carbon trading that does not explain how global greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced over time by this approach.

Many candidates were able to describe the regional distribution of the high total greenhouse gas emissions. Those that did not gain full credit often failed to be specific citing "Europe" instead of western or central Europe or "North America" instead of eastern USA. Others failed to address the regional element of the question and gave a series of countries, especially in relation to Asia. Some went beyond the "high" category and described the whole map, which sometimes impacted on their time management.

There were some good answers to this question with reference being made to greenhouse gases resulting from transport and increased production. Many candidates were able to identify a reason and then explain why it resulted in increased greenhouse gas emissions, for example transport requirements leading to increased use of fossil fuels. Some candidates did make reference to the way in which trade has increased the standard of living in emerging economies and how that has resulted in activities that involve greenhouse gas emissions. There were situations where answers did not obtain full credit especially where reasons were identified but development was not related to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions.

Both carbon offsetting and trading are clearly identified in the Geography guide and so it was disappointing that examiners reported that knowledge of their operation was inconsistent. As a result, the marks for this question were not high. If knowledge of mitigation strategies is not secure, then explanation of their operation is going to be limited.