The Future of Climate Change Cooperation

1. The Future of Climate Change Cooperation Seth Chanin, Samantha Given-Dennis, Ben Green, Ali Coughlin, and Dan Tortora

2. Background on Recent Climate Cooperation • There were over 10,000 participants in the talks, with the United States alone bringing over 100 negotiators including Vice President Al Gore • The central commitment of the Protocol aims at reducing total global greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2% from the levels they were at in 1990 • Developing nations worried about the protocol’s effect on their industrial growth. Kyoto Protocol Montreal Protocol • In 1980s and 1990s, most important and effective environmental regime • Limited and reversed ozone layer depletion • Institutions created public outcry, forced compliance from Western states

3. A Structural Realist Perspective Fundamental Beliefs • States’ self-serving and highly competitive attitude is derived not from human nature, but rather from the general an absence of an overarching international authority in a system of power-hungry, sovereign states Application • Depletion of natural resources leads to competition. • Copenhagen Consensus placed climate change as one of the last priorities for global cooperation and change. • Without remarkable, mutually beneficial cooperation agreement, there is little hope.

4. A Neoliberal Perspective Fundamental Beliefs • Like structural realists, but also believe in the power of rules to develop a system aside from anarchy. • Institutions are independently capable of promoting cooperation by creating more communication between states in the international community. • Information distribution will create norms. • Nation-wide effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions applies pressure to the international community for the spread of climate control. • International environmental protocols will only be successful on the grounds of cooperation between large states and developing countries. Application

5. A Structural Realist Future Predicted Outcomes of the Montreal Conference • U.S. will reject any agreement with fixed targets • Developing countries are cautious of agreements with fixed targets • U.S. looks toward alternate solutions • Asia-Pacific Partnership • E.U. will continue aiming for Kyoto-type targets and encourage involvement from developing countries

6. A Neoliberal Institutionalist Future • International pressure from environmental regimes will • garner compliance from the U.S. • Cooperation/Concession: Creation and adoption of international standards • NGOs will insure social responsibility from Big Business • E.U. and Kyoto goals will be accomplished in stages • Leverage developing nations with “sticks and carrots”

7. Discussion Questions • What factors do you think hinder climate change cooperation? 2) Do you think that reform momentum can build without significant initiative by the United States? 3) What do you think is the most effective way to facilitate international cooperation?