Pathways to climate stabilisation

Abstract

Global climate warming mitigation efforts are more likely to be successful if they are based on per-capita emissions rather than on complex negotiated emission rights. I propose a path to temperature stabilisation optimised for each country and reaching a common per-capita rate of greenhouse gas emissions by the end of the 21st century. Consistent emission pathways for given levels of temperature stabilisation are calculated by use of a simple model that is consistent with the circulation models and data sets surveyed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The allowable emissions are detailed on a regional level and on individual country level. I discuss the merits of this type of approach relative to other policy approaches, as well as some of the objections that may be voiced.