Climate commitments to 2050: a roadmap for China (Special topic for the Copenhagen climate talks)

Abstract

Special topic for the Copenhagen climate talks. 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.