Climate policy beyond 2012: A survey of long-term targets and future frameworks

Abstract

This report is based on a comprehensive and structured literature review of key issues associated with long-term goals for climate policy, and to the framework for implementing climate policy. The study provides a basis for working with global climate policy after 2012, whether the Kyoto Protocol enters into force or not. The main challenges are to achieve broader participation in future climate agreements than has been the case with the Kyoto Protocol, especially with respect to the USA and developing countries, and to achieve deep emissions reductions to prevent human-induced climate change from getting out of control. The discussion of climate goals is divided into advantages and challenges presented by long-term climate goals, goals connected to the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, goals connected to the impacts of climate change, and the issue of setting short-term emissions targets as a step in meeting long-term goals. The discussion of implementing climate policy is divided into architecture of future climate policy, different types of national commitments under a global agreement, and differentiation of national emissions reductions targets.