Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 05/2010

Copenhagen, the Accord, and the Way Forward

Trevor Houser

March 2010

Peterson Institute for International Economics

Abstract

This policy brief assesses the two-week Copenhagen conference, evaluates the Copenhagen Accord, and discusses key issues the international community will face moving forward. I argue that despite the chaos in Copenhagen, the accord is a significant step forward in addressing global climate change. And that because of the chaos in Copenhagen, the international community has a unique opportunity to go back to first principles and craft a more suitable and sustainable long-term approach to this challenge.