Carmen Bunzl - Universidad Pontificia Comillas

Chapter 2. Options for future climate change architectures 59
USA - USA per capita emissions are amongst the
highest globally, the approach would imply
major reductions.
Japan 0 Unknown.
Other umbrella group
countries
USA already objects the concept of using per
capita emissions as an indicator.
0 Unknown.
EU 0 Unlikely to receive support, a staged
Strengths and Weaknesses
approach was favoured in the past.
Participation of all countries and certainty about global emissions are strong
points of this approach. Full international emissions trading would be possible,
therefore including cost-effective reduction options in developing countries;
least developed countries would be supported financially through allocation of
excess emission rights. The concept of eventually converging per capita
emissions in the long term is a simple and clear concept, it could be part of a
future climate regime. C&C is somewhat compatible with the Kyoto Protocol, in
what regards reporting and mechanisms.
Classic Contraction and Convergence is too simple to accommodate the
concerns of all countries, its national circumstances or historical responsibility.
Countries with high per capita emissions, also such developing countries,
would need substantial reductions. Least developed countries need to be
capable to participate in emissions trading – national greenhouse inventories
and emission trading authorities – which may seem unrealistic for some of
them. The excess of emission rights of the LDCs need to be compensated by
Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería ICAI Carmen Bunzl Boulet Junio 2008