What rough beast?: Copenhagen and creating a successor agreement to the Kyoto Protocol

Abstract

This paper will use the criteria outlined in Lavanya Rajamani's article 'Addressing the Post Kyoto Stress Disorder: Reflections on the Emerging Legal Architecture of the Climate Regime', as a template to determine how successful the Copenhagen Meeting was in achieving its stated goals. Thus, this article will critically analyse the negotiations in detail, as well as the role played by key states, state coalitions and civil society actors. In particular, it will focus on whether any leaders emerged, as well as if a spoiling role was played by obstructionist actors and laggards in blocking a strong environmental agreement. It will examine a fault line that has existed within climate change negotiations since their inception, the rift between developed states and LDCs seeking to gauge their impact on the Copenhagen negotiations. Lastly, it will critically dissect any agreements that were decided, based on the above criteria, for their legal robustness, strength, and durability.