Defence of the merits of the Paris Agreement over the prior Kyoto Protocol

Essay , 2017 , 7 Pages , Grade: Year 1 University

Politics - Environmental Policy

This is an essay piece which is defending the merits of the Paris Agreement over the prior Kyoto Protocol. There is an examination of the geopolitical politics that concern the Agreement and how ensuring that countries remain within the Agreement is essential to fighting climate change. The effects of climate change which differ according to geography, time, and history are examined. As such, it is argued that wealthier, Western nations need to lead the fight on climate change and particularly, need to aid developing countries in creating greener infrastructure. Also what needs to be taken into account is how climate change will affect those of a lower socioeconomic background who cannot afford to leave or migrate due to climate disaster.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• The Paris Agreement: An Opinion Piece
• The Paris Agreement as an Improvement on the Kyoto Protocol
• The Shift from Top-Down to Bottom-Up Approach
• The Increased Involvement of Non-State Actors
• The Hybrid Approach of the Paris Agreement
• The Role of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
• The Advantages of a Bottom-Up Approach
• The Paris Agreement's Compliance Mechanism
• The 'Naming and Shaming' Process
• The 'Pledge and Review' Process

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper argues that the Paris Agreement will succeed where the Kyoto Protocol failed, due to its implementation of a hybrid approach that combines elements of both multilateral and multinational climate governance. It proposes that this bottom-up strategy, contrasted with the previous top-down methods of the Kyoto Protocol, encourages greater participation and more effective climate change development.

• The shift from a top-down to a bottom-up approach in climate governance
• The advantages of a hybrid approach combining transnational and multilateral governance
• The role of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in empowering countries to set their own climate goals
• The importance of peer pressure and transparency in ensuring compliance with climate agreements
• The potential benefits of a less legally binding framework for achieving climate change goals

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• The Paris Agreement: An Opinion Piece: The paper introduces the argument that the Paris Agreement will succeed where the Kyoto Protocol failed, emphasizing the shift from a top-down to a bottom-up approach in climate governance.
• The Paris Agreement as an Improvement on the Kyoto Protocol: This section delves deeper into the fundamental differences between the two agreements, highlighting the bottom-up approach, increased involvement of non-state actors, and the acknowledgment of domestic politics in climate change governance.
• The Hybrid Approach of the Paris Agreement: This section examines the Paris Agreement's hybrid approach, combining aspects of transnational and multilateral governance. It explains how this approach fosters a more inclusive and effective negotiation process by engaging both state and non-state actors.
• The Paris Agreement's Compliance Mechanism: This section explores the mechanisms that aim to ensure countries' adherence to their pledges, particularly the 'naming and shaming' process and the 'pledge and review' process. It argues that these methods, while not legally binding, create a more transparent and collaborative environment for climate change action.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This paper focuses on the Paris Agreement as an improvement on the Kyoto Protocol, examining key concepts such as bottom-up governance, transnational and multilateral collaboration, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), peer pressure, and the 'naming and shaming' process. It explores the potential benefits of a hybrid approach to climate change governance and argues that a less legally binding framework may encourage greater participation and more effective action.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Paris Agreement differ from the Kyoto Protocol?

The Paris Agreement uses a 'bottom-up' approach where countries set their own goals (NDCs), whereas the Kyoto Protocol relied on a 'top-down' approach with legally binding targets for developed nations only.

What are Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)?

NDCs are climate action plans submitted by each country under the Paris Agreement, outlining their specific targets and strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

What is the 'hybrid approach' mentioned in the paper?

The hybrid approach combines elements of transnational and multilateral governance, engaging both state governments and non-state actors like NGOs and corporations.

How is compliance ensured without legally binding targets?

Compliance is encouraged through a 'pledge and review' process and 'naming and shaming,' which uses transparency and peer pressure to hold nations accountable.

Why do wealthier nations need to lead the fight against climate change?

Wealthier nations have historically contributed more to emissions and have the resources to help developing countries build greener infrastructure and adapt to climate disasters.

How does climate change affect people of lower socioeconomic backgrounds?

Individuals with fewer resources are often unable to migrate or recover easily from climate-related disasters, making them disproportionately vulnerable to environmental changes.

• College: University of Toronto
• Course: POL101Y1
• Grade: Year 1 University
• Author: Kanade Tachibana (Author)
• Publication Year: 2017
• Pages: 7
• Catalog Number: V1172185
• ISBN (PDF): 9783346589620
• Language: English
• Tags: defence, paris, agreement, kyoto, protocol