Key actors and the climate regime (-2006)

Project leader:
Skodvin, Tora

Abstract
1. Key actors and the climate regime: Lessons and future options. Strategisk samarbeidsprosjekt mellom CICERO og FNI. CICERO prosjekt nummer 4402. 2. Finansiert av NFR, NOSIS. 3. Vitenskaplig/faglig bakgrunn og problemstillinger. The purpose of the present project is to consolidate and further develop collaboration between CICERO and FNI, in an area of research where experience shows that Norwegian policymakers may benefit from the research results, even during the projectperiod. Policy-oriented research is important to understand the further development of the climate regime, as well as for effective Norwegian policies. The project is interdisciplinary, applying insights from political science, economics, environmentalstudies, and sinology. Key actors in the international climate regime are currently accumulating experiences from past and ongoing climate negotiations: from the workings of the Kyoto mechanisms, as well as from the implementation of climate policies. The objective of thisproject is to bring together the lessons that can be learned from the Kyoto Protocol implementation so far, and discuss the consequences for the negotiating positions of key actors, for Norway’s potential role in the negotiation process, and for thefeasibility of post-2012 climate agreements. 4. Vitenskaplige hovedmål og delmål. The project will address the following research questions: • To what extent, and how, are implementation experiences by states and non-state actors likely to influence key actors' positions in the upcoming negotiations on a continuation of the international climate regime post-2012? • How can changes in negotiation positions among key actors affect the probabilities of (effective) post-2012 climate agreements? • How can technology programs and new commitment types facilitate inclusion of more countries in the next commitment period? • What is the potential for Norway to play a leadership or mediator role in the upcoming negotiation rounds, and what are the most promising approaches? 5. Forventede resultat. Sub-themes cover 1) country studies of the US, G-77 and China, 2) Non-state actors and the international climate negotiations, 3) Future challenges, and 4) Implications for Norway: opportunities for leadership and bridge-building. Each of theseconstitutes a work package. Work within each package will be carried out throughout the project period (2004-2006). Researchers from both CICERO and FNI will take part in each work package. The final division of responsibilities is decided with a view toflexibility to deal with unforeseen developments in the negotiations. In addition to the co-operation within the work packages, the two institutes will also organize internal seminars for the whole project group, to discuss broader issues and theprogress of the project. 6. Prosjektmedarbeidere. Key researchers at CICERO will be Guri Bang (project leader), Camilla Bretteville Froyn, Anne Therese Gullberg, Asbjørn Torvanger and Jonas Vevatne. 7. Samarbeidspartnere. Key researchers at FNI will include Gørild Heggelund (project leader), Steinar Andresen, Ida Bjørkum, Lars Gulbrandsen, and Ingvild Sæverud, in collaboration with Jon Birger Skjærseth and Arild Moe. FNI administers its own budget.