GPPi Research Associate presents on China’s climate policy at the International Energy Agency

On October 4, GPPi Research Associate Björn Conrad gave a presentation on China’s climate change policy at the Copenhagen negotiations at the International Energy Agency in Paris. His talk was entitled China in Copenhagen — Reconciling the ​‘Beijing Climate Revolution’ and the ​‘Copenhagen Climate Obstinacy.’ IEA staff as well as representatives of several country delegations to the IEA attended the presentation and subsequent discussion.

Conrad used the eventful UN climate negotiations during December 2009, in Copenhagen, as the backdrop to illustrate China’s fundamental interests in the climate policy arena and its positions on key political differences from emission reduction targets and climate justice to transparency concerns and technology transfer.

During the presentation, Conrad highlighted the inconsistencies of China’s overall approach to climate change that weakened its negotiating position, prevented China from achieving its central objectives and ultimately led to the obstinate stance China took during the final phase of the Copenhagen negotiations. The presentation concluded with an outline of lessons to be learned from the Copenhagen summit with regards to China’s future role in international climate negotiations, both for China and developed nations.

The presentation was followed by discussions on the bargaining tactics and dynamics during the Copenhagen negotiations, the influence of bilateral climate cooperation complementing the UN process as well as several concrete problem areas like the organization of technology transfers.

Conrad’s talk was based on his research in the context of the ​“Global Climate Change Governance and the Making of China’s Climate Change Policy” project.