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When science meets strategic realpolitik: The case of the Copenhagen UN climate change summit

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  • Carter, Chris
  • Clegg, Stewart
  • Wåhlin, Nils

Abstract

This paper argues that the impasse over tackling climate change at the 2009 climate change summit is a result of the outcome of the prevailing power and politics at the summit. The paper discusses the sociological literature on power and notes that the failure of the summit illustrates the fragility of legitimacy and authority. The paper rehearses key parts of the chronology of the summit and argues that the politics of domination often prevail over the politics of legitimacy. Moreover, the way in which both science and politics have failed to legitimate the issue of climate change is explored. The paper closes with a discussion of what is required to fix the issue as legitimate and meriting serious action by major international agencies and economies.

Suggested Citation

  • Carter, Chris & Clegg, Stewart & Wåhlin, Nils, 2011. "When science meets strategic realpolitik: The case of the Copenhagen UN climate change summit," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 22(7), pages 682-697.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:crpeac:v:22:y:2011:i:7:p:682-697
    DOI: 10.1016/j.cpa.2011.04.002
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    Cited by:

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    2. Butler, Nick, 2018. "Fantasies of strategy: Žižek, discourse and enjoyment," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 79-88.
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    4. Rodrigue, Michelle & Romi, Andrea M., 2022. "Environmental escalations to social inequities: Some reflections on the tumultuous state of Gaia," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
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    6. Mbeva, Kennedy Liti & Pauw, Pieter, 2016. "Self-differentiation of countries’ responsibilities: addressing climate change through intended nationally determined contributions," IDOS Discussion Papers 4/2016, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).
    7. Ingolfur Blühdorn & Michael Deflorian, 2019. "The Collaborative Management of Sustained Unsustainability: On the Performance of Participatory Forms of Environmental Governance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-17, February.
    8. Avri Eitan, 2021. "Promoting Renewable Energy to Cope with Climate Change—Policy Discourse in Israel," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-17, March.

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