Building on the Kyoto Protocol: Options for Protecting the Climate

Since 1997, debates over global climate change policy have focused narrowly on the Kyoto Protocol—an international treaty to control greenhouse gas emissions that are trapping heat in the atmosphere. Looking ahead, a wide range of other options need to be considered to promote long-term climate protection and bridge the growing divide among nations over how to take action. This compilation explores some of the best alternatives, with special attention to options that promote participation by both industrialized and developing countries. Each alternative is evaluated in terms of factors like economic cost, fairness, and development benefits --the factors that ultimately shape political acceptability. Also included is a quantitative comparison of three approaches to differentiating climate commitments across countries.