Equity and spectrum of mitigation commitments in the 2015 agreement
Equity is a multifaceted concept and one of the core principles of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, under which Parties aim at agreeing on a new global climate agreement in 2015. In order to succeed in this task, the UNFCCC needs to draft an agreement that is ambitious and effective, and at the same time inclusive and equitable in a way, in which all Parties can consider the agreement fair enough.
To what extent and how can equity be operationalized in a spectrum of mitigation commitments? This question is approached through academic literature review and analysis of Parties’ submissions and statements. It is argued that a potentially feasible and constructive way forward is a mutual recognition approach. This approach implies that parties should accept a set or norms, and a range of interpretations of these norms, as legitimate. Parties should also respect a principle of reciprocity, which means that any (interpretation of a) principle of fairness invoked by oneself can legitimately be invoked also by others. This approach is applied to the issue of equity indicators, and a non-coercive template of indicators approach is proposed, building on two critical components: transparency and open, critical review of Parties’ pledges and justifications thereof.
NOAK, a working group under the Nordic Council of Ministers publishing the study, aims at contributing to a global and comprehensive agreement on climate change with ambitious emission reduction commitments.