Policy Options to engage Emerging Asian economies in a post-Kyoto regime (POEM)

Research Project, 2010 – 2014

Developing countries are reluctant to make any binding commitment as their per capita emissions are low and climate abatement measures conflict with their main priorities on socio-economic development. The question is if there is a way to simultaneously provide sufficient energy (which is also the main source of GHG emissions), to support poverty alleviation and economic growth and achieve sufficient emission reductions. Finding an answer is the main aim of this project. It may be possible with a combination of policies and measures encompassing from international level to national level supported by committed international cooperation to achieve both the goals together. The main focus of the study is on India and China. The primary objective is to develop a portfolio of policy options including both international and national policies as well as institutional frameworks for international cooperation for these two emerging economies to engage them in climate protection measures under a post-2012 regime. By applying an integrated modeling framework, the study will explore possible multiple pathways which may exist for these countries to contribute into international climate initiatives without compromising their national development priorities. Specific objectives are, 1) developing country-specific integrated modeling framework to analyse policies and identify multiple pathways to achieve socio-economic and climate targets; 2) identifying/designing international climate polices in post-Kyoto regime for future commitments and participations of emerging economies (India and China); 3) designing national polices (in socio-economic sectors, energy and environment) compatible with the global climate targets; 4) designing and quantifying as much as possible the international co-operations needed to make the participation in a post-2012 regime acceptable at least in economic terms; 5) disseminating the results to potential users for use in future negotiations.