Kontestation und Normdynamik im Globalen Klimaregime

This thesis examines how the central climate norm of ‘Common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities' (CBDR-RC) has transformed within the global climate regime. It focuses on how actors altered the meaning of this norm through contestation during the transition from the Kyoto Protocol to the Paris Agreement, identifying the specific forms of contestation observed in the process.

Theoretically, the research is situated within social-constructivist norm research, which conceptualises norms as procedural structures shaped by social practices rather than static entities. Methodologically, a process analysis is conducted to trace the norm dynamics along a four-stage causal chain, from the structural reasons for contestation to norm conflict, deliberation, and finally, norm change. The analysis specifically highlights the agency of key actor groups, including the USA, the PR China, the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), and the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC).

The results indicate that the CBDR-RC faced significant pressure to adapt, primarily due to the changing emission profiles of emerging economies. Through proactive contestation (by the USA) and the defence of the existing norm cluster (by China and the LMDC), the norm evolved from a rigid, dichotomous differentiation towards subtle differentiation, which was codified in the Paris Agreement through the addition of the term "in the light of different national circumstances". Although the norm lost precision, this functional vagueness was crucial for reaching a consensus-based compromise within the international community.

Finally, Deitelhoff and Zimmermann's model (2019) for measuring norm robustness is applied to this case, and its limitations are highlighted. The thesis shows that the model has limitations when dealing with vague and highly dynamic norms. It concludes that the CBDR-RC is better characterised as "resilient" than "robust": while some actors (the USA and AOSIS) contested the norm, other (LMDC and PR China) defended it by activating its cluster.

 

Juliane Schell:

Kontestation und Normdynamik im Globalen Klimaregime 
Der Fall der "Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities" (CBDR-RC)

Wuppertal 2026, ISBN 978-3-946356-41-7

(Wuppertaler Studienarbeiten zur nachhaltigen Entwicklung no. 37)