Beleaguered by mutual recrimination between rich and poor countries, squeezed by the zero-sum arithmetic of a shrinking global carbon budget, and overtaken by shifts in economic and hence bargaining power between these countries, international cooperation on climate change has floundered. Given these three factors - which Arvind Subramanian and Aaditya Mattoo call the "narrative," "adding up," and "new world" problems - the wonder is not the current impasse; it is, rather, the belief that progress might be possible at all.

In this book, the authors argue that any chance of progress must address each of these problems in a radically different way. First, the old narrative of recrimination must cede to a narrative based on recognition of common interests. Second, leaders must shift the focus away from emissions cuts to technology generation. Third, the old "cash-for-cuts" approach must be abandoned for one that requires contributions from all countries calibrated in magnitude and form to their current level of development and future prospects.

About the Author
Arvind Subramanian is a senior fellow at the Center for Global Development with a joint appointment at the Peter G. Peterson Institute for International Economics. Aaditya Mattoo is the research manager for trade and integration at the World Bank.


Book Information
ISBN 9781933286679
Author Aaditya Mattoo
Format Paperback
Page Count 150
Imprint Center for Global Development
Publisher Center for Global Development