How to Proceed After Copenhagen

Citation

Kunnas J (2011) How to Proceed After Copenhagen. Electronic Green Journal, 1 (31). http://escholarship.org/uc/search?entity=uclalib_egj;volume=1;issue=31

Abstract
In this paper, I bring forth a proposal on how to proceed with the Climate Negotiations after the meager results of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December 2009 in Copenhagen. I argue that splitting continued negotiations into two separate blocks could both save time and make it more likely to ultimately reach a comprehensive treaty in Mexico City in December 2010. The first block would deal with historical emissions of greenhouse gases including a mutual debt cancellation: developed countries carbon debts vs. developing countries conventional monetary debts. The second block would deal with future emissions and how to finance adaption to climate change. Following the polluter pays-principle, I argue that the funds should be collected in proportion to the responsibility for proceeding climate change and redistributed in proportion to the needs for adaption.

Keywords
debt; climate change; debt cancellation; equity; greenhouse gas emissions

Journal
Electronic Green Journal: Volume 1, Issue 31