Global Triptych: A bottom-up approach for the differentiation of commitments under the Climate Convention

Heleen Groenenberg*, Kornelis Blok, Jeroen van der Sluijs

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

32 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In the coming years the international debate on commitments for the second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol will intensify. In this study, the Global Triptych approach is put forward as an input for international decision-making concerning the differentiation of commitments by 2020. It is a sector- and technology-oriented approach, and we calculated quantitative emission limitation objectives and global emissions starting from bottomup information on long-term reduction opportunities. Central to the calculations were long-term sustainability targets for the year 2050, formulated for (1) energy efficiency in the energy-intensive industry, (2) greenhouse gas intensity of electricity production, and (3) per capita emissions in the domestic sectors. Calculated emission limitation objectives for 13 world regions ranged from about −30% to more than +200%. The ranking of world regions in the differentiation turned out to be independent of the levels chosen for the long-term sustainability targets. The objectives seem sufficient to maintain the long-term possibility of stabilizing atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations at about 550 ppm CO2-eq, but will require severe emission reductions. These may be relaxed to a certain degree if stabilization at 650 ppm CO2-eq is aimed for. We conclude that the bottom-up character of the approach made it possible to examine important basic principles of the Climate Convention, including equity, the needs and circumstances of developing countries, cost-effectiveness and sustainable development.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)153-175
Number of pages23
JournalClimate Policy
Volume4
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2004
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Atmospheric stabilization
  • Bottom-up
  • Burden sharing
  • Equity
  • Sustainable development

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Global Triptych: A bottom-up approach for the differentiation of commitments under the Climate Convention'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this