Intro. The problem with climate change.

Question 1

What are 3 perspectives on the climate change problem that has dominated the int. policy response for climate change?

Answer 1

Climate change as:
- an environmental problem
- an economic problem
- an ethical problem

Question 2

What does it mean that climate change is an environmental problem?

Answer 2

The goal of int. climate policy is to prevent dangerous anthropogenic climate change by reducing GHG emissions.

Question 3

What does it mean that climate change is an economic problem?

Answer 3

The goal is to only reduce emissions if the benefits outweighs the costs (cost-effective). Been used in for instance emissions trading schemes.

Question 4

What does it mean that climate change is an ethical (equity and climate justice) problem?

Answer 4

Focuses on issues of distributive and correct justice, including: how do we equitably distribute the burdens of mitigation and adaptation to climate change, and who, if anyone, is ethically responsible for the damages causes by climate change?

Little consensus about what equity and climate justice entails.

Question 5

What are important facors in climate policy to ensure that it is effective?

Answer 5

• stringency
• participation
• compliance

Question 6

What are the basic issues that international climate change law focuses on?

Answer 6

• mitigation of climate change (limiting, preventing it from happening)
• adaptation to climate change (limit the effects of climate change)
• financial and other means of support for mitigation and adapation
• international oversight (mechanisms to promote implementation, compliance and effectiveness)