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Is the annual UNFCCC COP the only game in town?

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  • Brandt, Urs Steiner
  • Svendsen, Gert Tinggaard

Abstract

Is the annual United Nations framework convention on climate change meetings (UNFCCC COP) the only game in town? Are there also other possible solutions to consider? We argue that there is indeed another game, namely unilateral action facilitated by public authorities. Our theoretical model shows the conditions under which unilateral and costly technology development can be spread to other countries; that is, to an extent that makes such action of the involved parties a rational choice, paving the road for future use of such best practice model. One example could be the EEAS (European External Action Service) demonstrating that such unilateral action is feasible in practice, i.e. when facilitating technology transfers and climate partnerships between the EU and large CO2 emitters in the developing world. Well-designed unilateral actions by the EEAS and other public authorities may in this way help achieving target levels such as the Paris Agreement.

Suggested Citation

  • Brandt, Urs Steiner & Svendsen, Gert Tinggaard, 2022. "Is the annual UNFCCC COP the only game in town?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:183:y:2022:i:c:s0040162522004279
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2022.121904
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Technology diffusion; Developing countries; Climate partnership; UN; EU; EEAS;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D73 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption
    • O19 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - International Linkages to Development; Role of International Organizations
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

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