Enhancing International Co-operation on Climate Protection through Climate Clubs

  • Project no.650612
  • Duration 07/2015 - 12/2015

The agreement adopted in Paris by COP21 will demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of the present international regime to regulate greenhouse gases. The interpretations of the result will vary, but there will in all probability be widespread consensus that it will not be sufficient to keep the temperature increase in the global mean below 2 °C. This development is in part due to the consensus - based decision-making that governs the deliberations within the UNFCCC regime. Therefore, while a universal approach to solving the climate problem might be desirable, it appears unlikely to be reacheable under present conditions.

Some recent literature stresses the advantages of smaller groups in moving forward on the issue of climate protection. This project will focus on one particular type of club, namely a mitigation alliance focusing on the acceleration of reduction efforts. Such an alliance might present a way out of the present deadlock where a small number of countries can effectively block progress. A pioneers’ alliance for ambitious climate action may therefore actively contribute to a transformation of the present unsustainable global economic system. However, a number of issues will have to be solved:

They include the basis of the club (treaty or not?), the "entry fee" for such a club (under what conditions may countries be able to join?), the benefits and side-benefits for leaders and others that join later (preferential treatment in the trade of climate related technologies, ressources?), the safeguards (border adjustments etc.), the link to the global UN regime and many more. The project will address these challenges, the pitfalls and the potential benefits that might accrue from the formation of a pioneers’ climate alliance.

In cooperation with the German Development Institute (Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik), the project assembles experts from China, India, Bangladesh, South Africa, Uganda, Morocco, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, AOSIS, France, Norway, and Germany. It aims at presenting a proposal for a Pioneer's Alliance on Climate Action by April/May 2016.


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