In my previous post, my goal was to put things in perspective regarding the progress of international climate talks. While I maintained that a “too slow” verdict is too hasty and ultimately unhelpful, I have remarked that this is not to paint a rosy picture. There are a number of challenges facing the process between now and the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to be held in Paris in December.

What exactly are these challenges?   In the next weeks, I will take up one challenge at a time, explain the risks it presents for the future of the global climate effort, and discuss the prospects for an effective way forward. As we will see, although there are several challenges, they all arise from a preoccupation with how to build a fair, effective, and durable system of international cooperation.

The inner workings of government
Keep track of who’s doing what to get federal policy made. In The Functionary.
The Functionary
Our newsletter about the public service. Nominated for a Digital Publishing Award.

If successful, a meaningful agreement will set an important precedent. And its significance is multi-dimensional. A meaningful Paris outcome won’t merely put the world on track on the issue of climate change. It will also help the international community gain new know-how on how to approach other global problems too. There is much at stake.

The inner workings of government
Keep track of who’s doing what to get federal policy made. In The Functionary.
The Functionary
Our newsletter about the public service. Nominated for a Digital Publishing Award.

Stay tuned for more on the international climate effort, what Canada can do better in taking the process forward, as well as the broader implications.

Idil Boran
Idil Boran is Associate Professor of Philosophy at York University in Toronto. Professor Boran’s work focuses on themes of political philosophy and philosophy and public policy, with special interest in international relations and negotiations on climate change. She has a longstanding interest in liberal political theory, decision theory, as well as the methods and history of science. Since 2012, she serves as observer delegate to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

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