Issue 4. Climate Commitments to 2050: A Roadmap for China
Special topic for the Copenhagen climate talks
DECEMBER 2009
Climate Commitments to 2050: A Roadmap for China
With contributions by
- ZhongXiang Zhang (East-West Center)
- Gary Clyde Hufbauer (Peterson Institute) and Jisun Kim (Peterson Institute)
- Raekwon Chung (South Korea Climate Change Ambassador)
- Stephen Howes (Australian National University)
In this issue:
Lead Article
Climate Commitments to 2050: A Roadmap for China
ZhongXiang Zhang, Senior Fellow, East-West Center, provides an exposition of the likely Chinese negotiating position for international climate talks. Zhang discusses the significance of 2030 as a target date for an absolute emissions cap and advocates for three transitional periods of increasing climate obligations before China could meet an absolute emissions caps.
Prospects for International Climate Negotiations: Copenhagen and Beyond
Gary Clyde Hufbauer, Reginald Jones Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics, and Jisun Kim, Research Assistant, Peterson Institute for International Economics, respond to Zhang and also discuss wider issues in international climate talks and provide their speculation on the prospects for the Copenhagen talks.
China Is Willing, but on What Terms?
Raekwon Chung, Climate Change Ambassador, South Korea, discusses the uncertainty of emissions trajectory and the legal nature of a “binding” commitment.
Common Ground Must Be Found, and Fast
Stephen Howes, Professor, Crawford School of Economics and Government, Australian National University, focuses on the urgency of making commitments for 2013.
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