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11. Globalization and Scarcity: Multilateralism for a world with limits

Author:
Alex Evans
Publication Date:
11-2010
Content Type:
Working Paper
Abstract:
As the issue of resource scarcity arriving on the global agenda, especially in the areas of land, water, food and energy, what forms of multilateral action are needed in order to prevent a slide towards zero-sum games, resource nationalism and intensifying competition for dwindling resources? This is the question tackled in this new Center on International Cooperation report. It takes a functional approach to the issue, concentrating on identifying the concrete tasks that the international system needs to deliver in order to manage a new ‘age of scarcity’. The report looks at four areas for action - development and fragile states; finance and investment; international trade; and strategic resource competition between states – in each case identifying why a multilateral approach is needed, and what actions need to be taken over the short, medium and longer term.
Topic:
Globalization

12. The Feeding of the Nine Billion: Global Food Security for the 21st Century

Author:
Alex Evans
Publication Date:
01-2009
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Chatham House
Abstract:
Global food prices have eased significantly from their record highs in the first part of 2008. As a worldwide economic downturn has gathered pace, commodity markets have weakened significantly. By October 2008, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's Food Price Index stood at 164, the same level as in August 2007, and 25% lower than the Index's high of 219 in June 2008.
Topic:
Agriculture and Food

13. Hitting Reboot - Where next for climate after Copenhagen?

Author:
Alex Evans and David Steven1
Publication Date:
12-2009
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Center on International Cooperation
Abstract:
Copenhagen got us little further than Bali: a weak political declaration, with 2ºC as the only number. In some respects, the result moves us backwards: the politics are worse, while numbers previously agreed by the Kyoto club are omitted here. The conditions to turn a political declaration into a comprehensive deal appear absent.
Topic:
Climate Change, Environment, and International Cooperation

14. Rising Food Prices: Drivers and Implications for Development

Author:
Alex Evans
Publication Date:
04-2008
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Chatham House
Abstract:
Global food prices have risen 83 per cent over the last three years. The increases have been driven by high income growth in emerging economies (probably the single most significant factor), use of crops for biofuels, the relative inelasticity of supply, historically low stock levels and some speculative investment. More recently, national concerns over inflation and prices have led some countries to reduce exports and others to try to build up stocks – creating a feedback loop that feeds on itself to drive prices up still further. In the medium to longer term, 'scarcity trends' – climate change, the cost of energy inputs, scarcity of land and water – could limit the supply-side response. In the immediate term, the priority is to increase both the volume and the quality of humanitarian assistance available to poor people, including by moving away from in-kind food aid and towards cash transfers or voucher systems – although it is important to be clear that there are outstanding questions about how these social protection systems will work, and they should not be seen as a panacea. The issue of compensatory financing may also arise for some countries facing balanceof- payments difficulties. In the longer term, the key challenge is to increase the supply of food: the World Bank estimates that demand for food will rise by 50 per cent by 2030, as a result of rising affluence and growing world population. Achieving this challenge will require something close to a revolution, and a massive investment in agriculture in developing countries. If supply fails to keep pace with rising demand, then the question of 'fair shares' is likely to emerge as a significant global issue. Already, the effect of a burgeoning global middle class switching to diets with more meat and dairy products – both relatively inefficient in terms of grain use – has been to reduce the affordability of staple foods for poorer consumers.
Topic:
Agriculture, Economics, Environment, International Trade and Finance, World Bank, and Population

15. The Post-Kyoto Bidding War: Bringing developing countries into the fold

Author:
Alex Evans
Publication Date:
10-2007
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Center on International Cooperation
Abstract:
This briefing paper explores the difference between the EU and US-Australian positions on global climate policy in the wake of the 2007 Heiligendamm G8 summit and the UN High Level Event on climate change. It notes that although the two have very different analyses of the urgency of responding to climate change, they still concur on two of the most fundamental issues in post-Kyoto policy on climate change mitigation: neither side is arguing for a quantified ceiling on CO2 levels in the atmosphere, and neither is arguing for developing countries to take on quantified targets.
Topic:
International Relations, Climate Change, International Cooperation, and Treaties and Agreements
Political Geography:
United States and Australia