Climate Policy

Question 1

what is the most successful example of a global climate agreement, and why

Answer 1

• the Montreal Protocol (ozone hole)

- used sound science, economic incentives, and a global commitment

Question 2

describe the tragedy of the commons

Answer 2

• economic theory by which multiple independent parties deplete a common resource
• each party acts in its own self-interest & uses as much of the resource as it can

Question 3

what are treaties

Answer 3

agreements between nation states

Question 4

what are trade sanctions

Answer 4

nations who do not enter into a treaty, or who violate the terms of a treaty can be penalized by the nation states involved in the treaty

Question 5

describe the Montreal Protocol

Answer 5

• went into force in 1989
• few revisions in 1990 (London), 1992 (Copenhagen), 1999 (Beijing)
• gradually phased out the production of ozone-destroying CFCs
• CFC production ended in the US and Europe in 1996, and in less developed countries in 2010
• countries that chose not to participate would have been subject to trade sanctions by the countries that did
• as of today, all 197 nation states recognized by the UN hav signed on the protocol
• only treaty that is universally ratified

Question 6

what is the kyoto protocol

Answer 6

• set emission targets that signing parties would have to meet between 2008 and 2012 (first commitment period)
• for developed countries: have accepted greenhouse gas emission reduction obligations and must submit an annual greenhouse gas inventory; had to reduce by a collective 5% below their 1990 levels
• developing countries: no greenhouse gas emission reduction obligations (includes China and India)

Question 7

“top-down” approach to treaties

Answer 7

• everything is agreed upon at the convention
• lacked a shared commitment
• missed clear ways of monitoring and enforcing the emission targets

Question 8

“bottom-up” approach to treaties

Answer 8

• details for each country worked out before arriving

- baseline of commitments countries had already pledged

Question 9

unique about Paris agreement

Answer 9

• diplomats drafted beforehand a workable text that was eventually adopted by 196 countries at the end of the COP
• businesses and environmental groups were engaged in the process in unprecedented ways
• gov’ts, development banks & foundations pledges to raise funds to help the poorest countries pay for cutting emissions and to prepare for a changing climate

Question 10

details of Paris agreement

Answer 10

• hold the increase in global average temp to below 2C
• increase the ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change and foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development in a manner that does not threaten food production
• making finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development

Question 11

describe the North-South problem

Answer 11

• developing countries in the global “south” insist on their right to develop and emit greenhouse gases, pointing out that the developed countries are responsible for the majority of the cumulative emissions

Question 12

how does Paris address the North-South problem

Answer 12

• legal obligation for developed countries to provide assistance to developing countries to support mitigation