Working Paper: NBER ID: w15441
Authors: Shurojit Chatterji; Sayantan Ghosal; Sean Walsh; John Whalley
Abstract: We discuss global climate mitigation that builds on existing unilateral measures to cut emissions. We document and discuss the rationale for such unilateral measures argue that such measures have the potential to generate positive spillover effects both within and across countries. In a simple dynamic model of learning we show that while single countries on their own may never get to the point of switching completely to low emission activities, a learning process with positive spillovers across nations is more likely to deliver a global switch to low emissions. We discuss the key features of a new global Intellectual Property (IP) regime that builds on the positive spillovers inherent in unilateral initiatives and accelerates global convergence to low emissions.
Keywords: Climate Change; Emissions Reduction; Unilateral Measures; Multilateral Negotiations
JEL Codes: F53; Q50; Q54
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| unilateral measures (C29) | positive spillover effects (F69) |
| positive spillover effects (F69) | greater emissions reductions globally (F64) |
| unilateral measures (C29) | increased innovation and adoption of low-emission practices (Q55) |
| new global intellectual property regime (O34) | transfer of low-carbon technologies (O39) |
| transfer of low-carbon technologies (O39) | enhance effectiveness of unilateral measures (C90) |
| enhance effectiveness of unilateral measures (C90) | accelerate transition to a low-emission global economy (F64) |