On Friday, November 13th, Jen Allan visited the log to share her knowledge on the history of climate negotiations in relation to the upcoming Paris Climate Summit. Jen is currently a PhD student at the University of British Columbia, studying political science with a focus on international relations and climate change policy. Jen also produced a video series called the “Paris Knowledge Bridge: Unpacking Climate Governance” where she highlights the history, issues, actors and dynamics of global climate governance.
During her lecture, Jen provided an overview of important climate negotiations starting in 1990 with the preliminary meetings leading up to the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. The creation of the UNFCCC during the Rio Summit marked the beginning of top-down climate governance and established a precedent for future global climate negotiations. Three years after the Rio Earth Summit meetings took place regarding the creation of specific rules and regulations on global green house gas emissions. Two years later, in 1997 the Kyoto Protocol was established. Unfortunately, as has been the pattern for global climate change negotiations, the regulations set forth by the Kyoto Protocol were subject to failure without the approval of major actors such as the United States. Without total international support little progress was made in implementing and enforcing such regulations. Since the Kyoto Protocol agreement there has been several important negotiations and conferences surrounding important issues relating to climate change, but once again there has not been substantial progress in addresses the problems on either a national or global scale.
Although the history of climate change negotiations may not leave people feeling hopeful for change in the near future, Jen reminded us that when dealing with global climate change negotiations people must work with what they can. Jen’s pragmatic analysis of the current issues leading up to the Paris Climate Summit provides a sobering but not completing discouraging outlook for the future.
By sharing her understanding and vision for the future of climate negotiations Jen highlighted the concerns and limitations facing climate current negotiations, but she stressed that these negotiations are an ongoing process. It is important to appreciate the scope of environmental problems and know that even small victories can slowly lead to policy that can effectively address global climate issues. For now, Jen shared what she hopes to see at the Paris Climate Summit. The top priority is 100% participation and compliance from all countries. As Jen stated, “we won’t be able to ‘save the climate’ in Paris, but once you get traction between all countries then you can push for progress after.”
– MaryKate O’Brien, ’16