Climate Policy: Issues and Opportunities

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to introduce readers to the main environmental, technical and economic debates influencing the politics of climate policy in the countries discussed in this book. The chapter begins by discussing the problem of climate change and its institutional background. This is followed by an assessment of the main economic and environmental impacts of climate change as they are currently projected, so as to establish the political stakes involved and the case for detailed political analysis of national climate strategies. The chapter continues by describing the role of climate policies in relation to climate change impacts and economic behaviour, then outlines recent debates on different mitigation strategies and policy instruments and the major generic tensions that have so far dissuaded many governments from more ambitious actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The main policy options for mitigation that are likely to be the focus of climate policy debates in affluent democracies are then presented, followed by brief conclusions.