Distinguished experts from all over the world share their views and their specific take on climate diplomacy. Its political and societal ramifications are diverse, and so are the topics covered by the interviews. Uttam Sinha emphasizes the respective importance of transboundary resource management and development policies. Regarding international efforts to tackle climate change, Geoff Dabelko advocates an all-of-the-above strategy including, but not limited to, ongoing UNFCCC negotiations. Cleo Paskal and Alexander Carius highlight the geostrategic and security implications of climate change, while Dr. Hinrich Thölken specifies the priorities of German climate diplomacy.
As falling renewable energy costs and a shadow carbon price are making coal power investments unviable the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is making a decisive shift to clean energy, according to bank energy chief Yongping Zhai.
The Global Climate Action Summit has created a subtle, yet resonating effect on international climate diplomacy. Arguably, its biggest contribution lies in reaffirming the active role of the US in climate action – a refreshing sign of political maturity and environmental responsibility in Trumpian times.
Brazil’s president-elect Jair Bolsonaro has named an anti-globalist diplomat to lead foreign affairs and his country’s relationship with the Paris Agreement. Ernesto Araújo, a relatively junior diplomat, accuses the left of using the environmental cause ‘to serve their political project of total domination’
As opposed to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, India could lead a campaign for climate-responsible international development cooperation, shifting from coal to renewables domestically and promoting the values of the International Solar Alliance globally.