Brazil, Russia, India and China are collectively known as the BRIC countries. Brazil, Russia, India and China are rapidly developing countries that account for more than 40% of the global GHG thus it is important to examine emissions reduction regulations and initiatives of these countries.
BRIC countries
Brazil, Russia, India and China, with a combined population of 3 billion people and a GDP of $16tn, will have a huge direct impact on global emissions. Brazil, China and India did not have a formal obligation under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the associated Kyoto Protocol to reduce their GHG emissions. However, they were required to take actions to encourage such reductions. Russia had a formal commitment to reduce its GHG emissions under the Kyoto Protocol. However, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and subsequent economic decline, it will have no trouble meeting these commitments. The state of their domestic GHG emissions policies may indicate their readiness to undertake further binding commitments.
Readings
- Environomist. China Carbon Market Research Report 2014. Available at http://www.southpolecarbon.com/public/140227_Environomist_China-ETS_ResearchReport.pdf</li>
- Energy and Climate Goals of China’s 12th Five-Year Plan. Available at http://www.pewclimate.org/ docUploads/energy-climate-goals-china-twelfth-five-year-plan.pdf
- An Overview of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Control Policies in Various Countries. Available at http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R40936.pdf
Questions
- Is there any evidence of the climate change debate going on in ‘a country of your choice’ and what sorts of market-based instruments (if any) are being used – or are likely to be used – in response to that debate?
- Analyse the climate change policy effectiveness in ‘a developing country of your choice’.