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Smoke and Mirrors: The Kyoto Protocol and Beyond

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  • van Kooten, G. Cornelis

Abstract

The Kyoto Protocol (KP) is considered a necessary first step towards an effective future climate accord. As argued in this paper, however, the KP will likely fail because it has too many loopholes, inadequate governance structures and insufficient compliance provisions. This view is supported by case studies of Canada, Japan and the Netherlands. These countries are unlikely to achieve their self-imposed targets, or, if they do, the costs of compliance will be unacceptably high. Consequently, the difficulty of achieving agreement to reduce global emissions by half (as required to mitigate climate change) is greatly increased.

Suggested Citation

  • van Kooten, G. Cornelis, 2003. "Smoke and Mirrors: The Kyoto Protocol and Beyond," Working Papers 36992, University of Victoria, Resource Economics and Policy.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:uvicwp:36992
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.36992
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Environmental Economics and Policy;

    JEL classification:

    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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