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SIP-Strategiske instituttprogram

SIP: Linked Issues as a way to Broaden Participation in the Climate Regime: Exploring the cases of air quality, and energy technology

Tildelt: kr 5,2 mill.

The countries that are participating with commitments greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reductions in the Kyoto Protocol emit only 28% of global GHG emissions, and major, growing economies like China, India and the United States are not included. Thus, broade r participation in the climate regime is crucial if global emissions shall be curbed significantly. Countries that presently do not participate may for various reasons view the benefits of mitigation as not outweighing the costs. The main question raise d in this strategic research program is to what extent certain issues inherently linked to greenhouse gas mitigation - air quality and energy technology - have the potential to broaden participation in the climate regime if they are addressed through inte rnational cooperation. The co-benefits of GHG mitigation through air quality improvements can raise a country's net benefits, and thereby make mitigation more attractive. The proposed program will explore to what extent concerns for local air quality an d transboundary air pollution could make participation in climate regimes and regional collaboration attractive. Another linked issue is the potential that energy technology development has to reduce expected mitigation costs. Agreements on technology t ransfer and dissemination as well as joint R&D programs could this way make mitigation and participation more attractive, in particular if there are transboundary technology spillovers. The research involves analysis of i)the benefits achieved through co operation on the linked issues, ii) the incentives to participate; iii) the consequences in terms of emissions and impact on climate; and iv) the types of international agreement suitable for exploiting these benefits. The program includes a PhD project w ith emphasis on modeling, and an application to China.

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SIP-Strategiske instituttprogram