"Sectoral Approaches to International Climate Policy: A Typology and Political Analysis"
Discussion Paper, Energy Technology Innovation Policy research group, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
January 14, 2009
Authors: Jonas Meckling, Research Fellow, Harvard Project on International Climate Agreements, Gu Yoon Chung
Belfer Center Programs or Projects: Belfer Center Studies in International Security; Energy Technology Innovation Policy; Environment and Natural Resources; Science, Technology, and Public Policy
Sectoral approaches have been gaining currency in the international climate debate as a possible remedy to the shortfalls of the Kyoto Protocol. Proponents argue that a sector-based architecture can more easily invite the participation of developing countries, address competitiveness issues, and enable immediate emission reductions. However, given the numerous proposals, much confusion remains as to what sectoral approaches actually are. This paper provides a simple, yet comprehensive, typology of the various proposals for sectoral approaches. Based on the dual criteria of regulatory content and actors, three such types are identified and described: government targets and timetables, industry targets and timetables, and transnational technology cooperation. For each of these types, existing proposals and ongoing initiatives are discussed. In a second step, the paper analyzes the political landscape in which sectoral approaches are being debated, identifying the interests of their key advocates as well as the concerns of their sceptics. The Japanese government and energy-intensive manufacturing industries represent the main proponents of sectoral approaches to address concerns of carbon leakage and economic competitiveness. Developing countries, instead, are wary of attempts to impose emission reduction targets on their economies through sectoral target setting. They, therefore, interpret sectoral approaches as sector-based forms of technology cooperation and technology transfer.
Please also see a presentation given by Jonas Meckling and Gu Yoon Chung at Harvard University on this topic. Their presentation is titled "International Climate Policy for a Post-Kyoto World: Understanding Sectoral Approaches."
- Meckling/Chung discussion paper (177K PDF)
For more information about this publication please contact the ETIP Coordinator at 617-496-5584.
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