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After
years of political debate, the Kyoto Protocol came into force on
16 February 2005. Against this background, the fourth Climate Talk
posed questions regarding what climate politics and economic effects
the Kyoto Protocol in its present form will have and which (further)
steps for the path to a "Carbon Constrained Economy" (Tony Blair)
are necessary. Presentations were given by Dr. Hermann Ott (Head
of the Wuppertal Institute Berlin Office) and by Dr. Hans-Joachim
Ziesing (Senior Executive of the German Institute for Economic Research).
Hermann
Ott compared climate protection with climbing a mountain, with the
Kyoto Protocol being symbolised by the early rising necessary before
one begins the ascent. Although the Protocol will only have small
impacts on the climate balance, its ratification marks a political
and institutional turning point. Hermann Ott went on to discuss
the possibilities and demands of current climate politics and in
particular the questions of how to handle the post-2012-phase and
co-operation with the US.
Hans-Joachim
Ziesing pointed specifically to the gap between political goals
and the actual reduction of emissions. He discussed the possible
and necessary aspects of an independent European climate policy
and the importance of integrating considerations for the subsequent
trading periods in current climate policies.
The
lively discussion focused on the options and risks of political
action. The discussants highlighted the urgent need for a consequent
and integrated climate policy, in the framework of which the Protocol
could be seen as only a first and small step. At the same time,
the challenge of initiating proper next national, international,
thematic and diplomatic steps became evident.
The
discussion was eventually moved to a nearby location, where the
evening drew to a relaxed close.
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