from International Institutions and Global Governance Program

After Copenhagen

Climate Governance and the Road Ahead

July 29, 2010

Report

Overview

Climate change is the most difficult collective action problem the world has ever faced, yet global governance frameworks have failed to yield progress toward a solution. The Copenhagen conference in 2009 set the stage for ambitious action by both developed and developing countries, but failed to result in a binding treaty. Moving forward, countries must diversify the institutions and instruments they use to pursue effective climate governance. This Working Paper, sponsored by CFR's International Institutions and Global Governance program, examines alternatives to large-scale multilateral agreements, evaluates financing and monitoring structures, and recommends smaller and more varied negotiating venues.

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South Africa

Even as Winter Rains Come to Cape Town, Water Scarcity Is Here to Stay

Blog Post by John Campbell June 27, 2018 Africa in Transition

United States

Meeting the Challenge of Slow-Motion Crises

The United States faces three slow-motion crises—the future of work, climate change, and the federal debt—that we risk not tackling until it is too late.

by Richard N. Haass May 21, 2018

Renewable Energy

Why Solar Energy Needs Innovation to Reach Its Potential

Solar energy, the world’s cheapest and fastest-growing power source, could one day supply most of the world’s energy needs. But in a new book, “Taming the Sun: Innovations to Harness Solar Energy and Power the Planet” (MIT Press), energy expert Varun Sivaram warns that solar’s current surge is on track to stall, dimming prospects for averting catastrophic climate change. Brightening those prospects, he argues, will require innovation—creative financing, revolutionary technologies, and flexible energy systems.

March 2, 2018 4 min

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Disasters

U.S. Disaster Relief at Home and Abroad

The U.S. government responds to scores of disasters each year, coordinating closely with state, local, and foreign partners. However, more frequent and severe storms, fires, and floods are straining resources.

Backgrounder by Rocio Cara Labrador August 15, 2018

Saudi Arabia

Tesla: The Risks of a Foreign Buyout

If Tesla goes private with significant funding from Saudi Arabia or other foreign investors, it would raise national security and ethical questions.

by Jonathan Masters August 15, 2018

Turkey

The West Must Face Reality in Turkey

We are witnessing the gradual but steady demise of a relationship that is already an alliance in name only.

by Richard N. Haass August 15, 2018