The Politics of Climate Change

The Politics of Climate Change

Seeking a global solution through national action in a new world order

4^th December 2008

I was kindly invited by the Policy Network to join a high level debate on the current processes of Climate Change, held at LSE. I was overwhelmed by the panel of experts that surrounded me, feeling like I had no way to contribute but standing firm on my grassroot notions led me to a few people who seemed interested in what I hope to achieve.

The key speakers, chaired by former director of LSE Anthony Giddens, were Mutsuyoshi Nishimura (special adviser to the Japanese prime minister and cabinet), and Professor Miranda Schreurs (director of the Environmental Policy Research Centre). The discussion touched upon multifaceted challenges to existing political systems and policy thinking from a US and Japanese perspective, which was a great insight on how the UK can either change or adopt similar processes. Below is a summary of what was covered at this very prestigious gathering led by key experts in the field of climate change.

Executive Report

Policies for a low carbon society in the EU, Japan and the US were compared. No doubt the largest CO2 emitters are the US, Japan, EU and China being very populated and industrious nations. Prof. Schreurs highlighted total emission rates and targets of control from large emitting countries, which seem too ambitious for 2020 without sustainable, cost effective solutions, compared to the latest US policies currently being researched by the Obama administration.

There was high consensus that Obama’s presidency will push climate change to the top of international agenda, pushing away from the Kyoto Protocol and modify international practices. Prof Schreurs made us aware of the types of policies initiated by America – however Nishimura urged that these policies can not wholly be implemented without “surest solutions”.

American initiatives and plans:

- New England Climate Action Plan
- Greenhouse Gas Initiative
- Cap and trade schemes for CO2 from major power plants
- Annual CO2 cuts by 2.5%

The world is aware that we are in trouble but these fears need to be eradicated by tackling the problem. Nishimura said difficulties in solving climate change is policy-maker’s “pathetic lack of the sure solution which is leanest and least expensive”. Administrating solutions will not be cheap, such as creative innovative ‘green’ technology and changing habits within society. A “surest solution” may be Obama’s suggestion of ‘cap and trade’ - this is an approach used to control pollution by providing economic incentives for achieving reductions in the emissions of pollutants. But Nishimura also suggested of integrating a hybrid of global upstream emission trading system (UGETS) and a concomitant technology development policy. This means that an agreed level of climate stability is required across all nations at low cost and without long bureaucratic loopholes, as well as designing a global climate market, which monitors usage of carbon within sectors. Governments must ensure free and unrestrained carbon transactions worldwide.

The key to development is money, so governments need to create a carbon market which issues price signalling with general consensus between government and the public. Key seed money is crucial for R&D – apparently something which the Japanese government is very good at. If cost is minimum, then equity is easier to manage. With this in mind, Nishimura suggested that upstream level is PRO-BUSINESS because it cuts away from tremendous bureaucrat pressures, therefore talking less and doing more.

Burden sharing between the North and South also came up. The developed world are bigger emitters than the South, yet they are paying the same price towards climate change. Also, emerging powers like China and India will not agree to international regulations but may hopefully accept long-term shared vision, because eventually their carbon rate will be as high as the EU and US with the rate of industrialisation within their country. For all countries to agree on international regulations, the North and South historic division needs to be cemented with trust by financing technological development for poorer nations (which is what Japan is working on). Thus, cheap solutions will be accepted by poorer countries.

In conclusion, international bodies need to decide on common grounds for regulation and achieving results at minimum cost and pressure. First the gap between countries needs to be filled, and simple solutions must be implemented in society – we cannot wait for governments to ‘talk things through’ as the Earth becomes hotter and hotter. There is massive pressure on the Obama administration to change political attitude in climate change policies, but our own governments must act now to solve problems internally.