Challenge 1: Placing Climate Actions in a Wider Sustainable Development Context

Abstract

Recent studies have shown an increasing urgency to address climate change and its impacts on ecosystems with the scale of action requiring no less than 'a green revolution.' A review of the climate negotiations and recent developments within the Cancun Agreements identifies five main challenges to progress. In this first chapter, the need for increased engagement of developing countries in global climate coalitions for action is discussed. It has become clear that climate policy making and sustainable development policies are increasingly becoming interlinked, especially in developing countries, where climatic changes affect achieving development goals and where climate action could improve energy access with low greenhouse gas emitting technologies for poverty alleviation. The challenge is to place the climate negotiations in this wider context of sustainability, equity and social change. © Springer-Verlag London 2012.