Shortly before the upcoming UN climate summit, Angela Merkel wrote in a German newspaper: “With good reason, it is expected from governments and politicians, that they do not longer close their eyes to the pressing scientific results that climate protection requires rapid and vigorous action.” She further calls for a clear negotiation outcome: “The greenhouse gas emissions do not only have to be stabilized, but have to be reduced as quickly as possible.” These words could well have been written today, however, they were actually published on March 26, 1995 (FAS, 1995); at a time, when Mrs. Merkel still was Germany’s Federal Minister of the Environment and designated president of the first climate summit.
After 20 years of UN climate talks, the world’s attention is now firmly on the 21st COP (Conference of the Parties) in Paris that will be held from November 30 until December 11, 2015. These climate negotiations are generally perceived as the last chance to reach a global agreement that can prevent severe climate change. In this DIW Roundup we take a closer look at the upcoming COP21, discuss the negotiation status and highlight the pivotal elements currently discussed. Furthermore, we touch upon the economic theory on International Environmental Agreements and present milestones of past climate summits.