Copenhagen and Beyond : An Assessment Based on Three Different Approaches to a Post-2012 Climate Framework

Abstract

Climate change is one of the most crucial issues of the 21st century. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which represents the frame and institution to negotiate climate change-related affairs on the global political level, has decided to make an agreement to address climate change in long-term relations and to define emission reductions for a second Kyoto Protocol commitment period. This agreement should be finalized by the end of 2009 at the fifteenth Conference of Parties, UNFCCC COP 15, in Copenhagen, Denmark. The expectations for this summit were very high and key questions concerning the outcome of this climate change summit can be stated with: What level of emission reduction are developed countries willing to offer? Which role will developing countries, the most vulnerable countries on climate change and the least developed countries play in this agreement? What are the measures taken to enhance sustainable development and who will pay the costs? This Bachelor’s Thesis analyses three different approaches to a post-2012 agreement and assesses the COP 15 outcome based on the discussed opinions of climate experts. Finally, this Bachelor’s Thesis determines, based on these approaches, if COP 15 changed the City of Copenhagen into “Hopenhagen” or “Brokenhagen” and gives an outlook for future climate change negotiations.