A compromise to break the climate impasse

ABSTRACT To overcome the current impasse in global climate negotiations we propose a compromise for sharing the remaining carbon budget, based on four elements. First, limiting initial

action to the Major Economies Forum members would streamline negotiations greatly. Second, using consumption-based carbon accounting would overcome important fairness concerns of key

developing countries. Similarly, applying equity principles of responsibility and capability to apportion the burden of emissions reductions within the group can address concerns of both the

global north and south. And fourth, promptly bringing this compromise back to the United Nations negotiations for wider adoption will be critical. Based on an indicative carbon budget of

420 gigatonnes carbon dioxide over the period 2012–2050, our analysis shows that ambitious but feasible emissions reductions will be needed, with sharp differences by world economic groups.

The compromise offers effectiveness, feasibility and fairness. Access through your institution Buy or subscribe This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution ACCESS

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Development Program, 2013) http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2013/04/04-climate-emissions-grasso-roberts. Google Scholar  Download references ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We thank S. Calgaro, D.

Roser and G. Vittucci Marzetti. This version remains our own responsibility. AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * Department of Sociology and Social Research, Università

Milano-Bicocca, Milan, 20126, Italy Marco Grasso * Institute for the Study of Environment and Society, Brown University, 89 Waterman Street, Providence, 02912, Rhode Island, USA J. Timmons

Roberts Authors * Marco Grasso View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * J. Timmons Roberts View author publications You can also search for this

author inPubMed Google Scholar CONTRIBUTIONS M.G. conceived the study. M.G. and J.T.R carried out the study and contributed to writing the article. CORRESPONDING AUTHORS Correspondence to

Marco Grasso or J. Timmons Roberts. ETHICS DECLARATIONS COMPETING INTERESTS The authors declare no competing financial interests. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

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_Nature Clim Change_ 4, 543–549 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate2259 Download citation * Received: 07 January 2014 * Accepted: 21 May 2014 * Published: 08 June 2014 * Issue Date:

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