The EU has established an aggressive portfolio with explicit near-term targets for 2020 - to reduce GHG emissions by 20%, rising to 30% if the conditions are right, to increase the share of renewable energy to 20%, and to make a 20% improvement in energy efficiency - intended to be the first...

Stabilization presents a daunting challenge for all countries of the world, regardless of their stage of development, institutions or technological capabilities. This article explores the implications for the USA of climate stabilization at 3.4 W/m-super-2. Stabilization at this level, even...

The principle of common, but differentiated, responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR&RC) is fundamental to the UNFCCC. Some options for a nuanced model of differentiation that addresses both responsibility and capability in a changing world are explored, such as new categories of...

Equitable access to sustainable development (EASD) is crucial for the future of the climate regime as it applies to adaptation, mitigation, and the means of implementation. An approach to allocating effort and deriving carbon budgets is presented here based on the United Nations Framework...

The MAPS programme, which seeks to deepen mitigation ambition in developing countries, is engaged in exploring the concepts of Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) and Low Carbon Development Strategies (LCDS) from a developing country perspective. Here, climate mitigation...

Copenhagen failed to agree a new legal treaty, and fragmentation is now a possible scenario. What options exist for a fair and effective multilateralism that might bring about the next turning point? Possible changes are considered in the context of the 'how, what, where and who' of multilateral...

How might energy-intensive (EI) sectors and those that are also trade-intensive (EITI) be included in the use of economic instruments for mitigation in South Africa? Carbon tax or emissions trading are being considered among the economic instruments that could be implemented in emerging South...

It is shown that there are MRV-related activities underway in South Africa, particularly focusing on measuring electricity consumption and monitoring GHG emissions. Yet currently many of these activities happen in parallel systems within multi-polar governance structures. A bottom-up perspective...