More Democratic Legitimacy through Civil Society Involvement in the UNFCCC Negotiations?

By Robert Gampfer Over the past two decades, civil society organizations (CSOs) have become integral to global climate negotiations. In 2011, 1490 organizations were accredited as observers; most of which were environmental groups, research institutions, and business associations. Moreover, 70% of national delegations to the COPs (2011) included CSO representatives among their members. Both activists […]

Dawn at Doha?

In this latest editorial for Climate Policy (vol.13, no.3), Editor-in-Chief Michael Grubb puts forward his perspective on the Doha Climate Conference and what it means for the wider negotiation process. Access the article for free, then come back here to comment! By Michael Grubb

Low Carbon Drivers for a Sustainable World – or is a 2 Degree Target Just a Fantasy?

Some reflections on the Climate Policy Special Issue (vol 13, supp 01, 2013) “Low carbon drivers for a sustainable world”.

The Conundrum Expanded: New perspectives on Climate Politics in the US Congress

By Dana R. Fisher and Joseph Waggle November 2012 was a fantastic time to be a progressive American. On 6 November, the citizens of the United States of America voted in favor of marriage equality for same-sex couples in four separate states, they legalized marijuana in two more, and elected a record number of female […]

Australia into the fray – by Frank Jotzo

By Frank Jotzo At the Doha COP, Australia announced it will come on board Kyoto 2, with a commitment to reduce national emissions to an average of 99.5% of the 1990 level during 2013 to 2020. Does it matter, and is it a meaningful commitment?

US Presidents and the Ratification Conundrum

By Guri Bang, Jon Hovi and Detlef L. Sprinz Since 1990, there has been a build up of 13 MEAS that successive US Presidents have signed, but which have still not been been ratified. Four of these, famously including the Kyoto Protocol, have never even been submitted to the Senate at all. Why this tendency […]

Carbon Markets: Still Controversial After All These Years…

In June 2011, Climate Policy published a review by Axel Michaelowa on the book “Upsetting the offset: the political economy of carbon markets” (vol 11/1). The book’s co-editors, Steffen Bohm and Siddharta Dabhi (vol 11/6), were quick to submit a spirited rejoinder. The lively exchange continued with an invited contribution from Peter Newell, providing his […]

Durban: The Darkest Hour?

By Michael Grubb –
Where now for the global negotiations? Compared to the aspirations of two years ago, the outlook for the Durban COP looks grim. After the traumas of Copenhagen, the ambitions of Cancun were modest – to reach an agreement, almost any agreement. Many bitter pills were swallowed to that end. The resulting deal looked more like a broad update to the UNFCCC framework, than a serious proposal on what to do after the Kyoto Protocol’s first commitment period expires.