News and views from the Blavatnik School of Government community 
At a time when countries around the world are searching for ways to lift their climate change ambition, new research highlights the important role being played by non-governmental agencies in New Zealand. One example is New Zealand Post which, between 2008 and 2012, reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 16.1 […]
Germany is now producing more coal than for twenty years. This has occurred in a society that prides itself on its concern about climate change and has the largest Green party in Europe. Underlying this evident disconnection between concern and behaviour is an international failure to link the challenge of […]
As the dust settles on the international climate change negotiations in Warsaw, I feel a sense of déjà vu. Hunger strikes, a mass walk-out by civil society, and eventually a last minute deal agreed upon by sleep-deprived delegates after 36 hours of non-stop negotiations. This has become an annual ritual. […]
Countries, cities, companies, & civil society can lead the fight against climate change – but they must link up with the multilateral process too Global governance is gridlocked. As the Oxford Martin Commission for Future Generations makes clear, politicians have every incentive to address narrow, short-term interests, and few reasons […]
This week and next, countries meet in Warsaw under UN auspices to seek a solution to the climatic changes already raising temperatures and disrupting weather around the world. It will be the 19th such meeting in as many years. To date, these efforts have produced exactly one treaty to reduce […]
The last few days have been an uncomfortable experience for me. I’ve found myself doing something that I hadn’t ever expected to do.
“Global problems require global solutions.” This truism is a favorite of politicians attending global summits and IR scholars alike. On one level it is of course correct. We will not solve a problem like climate change unless all major emitters agree to reduce emissions. But the phrase glosses over […]