About International

Climate change is a global challenge and requires a global solution. In late 2007, governments adopted the Bali Roadmap, launching negotiations toward a new global climate agreement. Through analysis and dialogue, the Pew Center on Global Climate Change is working with governments and stakeholders to identify practical and effective options for the post-2012 international climate framework.

The international climate effort began in 1992 with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which sets a long-term objective of avoiding dangerous human interference with the climate system. The Kyoto Protocol entered into force in 2005, establishing binding emission limits for industrialized countries (except the United States, which did not ratify) through 2012.

An effective post-2012 effort, in the view of the Pew Center, requires a binding but flexible framework. All major economies should have commitments. But given the tremendous differences among the major economies, there should be flexibility in the type of commitment – absolute economy-wide targets for industrialized countries, and other types for the major emerging economies.

The foundation for the Center’s ongoing work is the report of the Climate Dialogue at Pocantico, a group of 25 policymakers and stakeholders from 15 countries brought together by the Center to explore post-2012 options. The group’s consensus report outlines a broad vision of a flexible post-2012 framework combining absolute emission targets, policy-based commitments, sectoral agreements, and other elements.

The Pew Center has elaborated on this vision with several recent reports: Adaptation to Climate Change: International Policy Options, International Sectoral Agreements in a Post-2012 Climate Framework, Policy- Based Commitments in a Post-2012 Climate Framework, Towards an Integrated Multi-Track Climate Framework.

Ongoing work includes: modeling, with the Battelle Memorial Institute, of alternative international policy architectures; analysis, with McKinsey & Company, of options for a sectoral agreement in the electric power sector; and examination, with Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, of technology and policy options for reducing coal-related emissions in China and India.

In addition, the Center engages frequently with international policymakers in the United States and other key countries; regularly convenes informal discussions among climate negotiators; organizes conferences and briefings on international policy developments; and partners with organizations including the World Economic Forum, the Asia Society, and GLOBE International.