Comparing Climate Commitments: A Model-Based Analysis of the Copenhagen Accord

CAMA Working Paper No. 24/2010

44 Pages Posted: 31 Aug 2010

See all articles by Warwick J. McKibbin

Warwick J. McKibbin

Australian National University

Adele C. Morris

The Brookings Institution

Peter J. Wilcoxen

Brookings Institution

Date Written: July 1, 2010

Abstract

The political accord struck by world leaders at the United Nations negotiations in Copenhagen in December 2009 allows participating countries to express their greenhouse gas commitments in a variety of ways. For example, developed countries promised different percent emissions reductions relative to different base years by 2020. China and India committed to reducing their emissions per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) relative to 2005 by 40 and 20 percent respectively. Such flexibility promotes consensus by allowing each country to use its preferred commitment formulation. However, the disparate approaches and widely varying baseline trends across different economies complicate comparing the likely emissions reductions and economic efforts required to achieve the commitments.

Suggested Citation

McKibbin, Warwick J. and Morris, Adele C. and Wilcoxen, Peter J., Comparing Climate Commitments: A Model-Based Analysis of the Copenhagen Accord (July 1, 2010). CAMA Working Paper No. 24/2010, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1668215 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1668215

Warwick J. McKibbin (Contact Author)

Australian National University ( email )

Crawfrod School of Public Policy
Canberra, ACT 2600
Australia
02-61250301 (Phone)
02-62735575 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.sensiblepolicy.com

Adele C. Morris

The Brookings Institution ( email )

1775 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20036
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.brookings.edu/experts/morrisa.aspx

Peter J. Wilcoxen

Brookings Institution ( email )

1775 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20036
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.brookings.edu/experts/wilcoxenp.aspx

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