How to Proceed After Copenhagen

Abstract

In this paper, I bring forth a proposal on how to proceed with the Climate Negotiations after the meager results of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December 2009 in Copenhagen. I argue that splitting continued negotiations into two separate blocks could both save time and make it more likely to ultimately reach a comprehensive treaty in Mexico City in December 2010. The first block would deal with historical emissions of greenhouse gases including a mutual debt cancellation: developed countries carbon debts vs. developing countries conventional monetary debts. The second block would deal with future emissions and how to finance adaption to climate change. Following the polluter pays –principle, I argue that the funds should be collected in proportion to the responsibility for proceeding climate change and redistributed in proportion to the needs for adaption.