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571. The Evolving Arctic Operating Environment: Implications for Defence

Author:
Donald A. Neill
Publication Date:
01-2011
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:
Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:
Effective planning for DND/CF activities in the arctic operating environment requires as reliable an understanding as may reasonably be achieved of what that environment is likely to be, and how it is likely to evolve, throughout the planning period in question. This is complicated by the inherently unpredictable nature of climate; as the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has acknowledged, ‚in climate research and modelling, we should recognize that we are dealing with a coupled non-linear chaotic system, and therefore that the long-term prediction of future climate states is not possible.‛
Topic:
Climate Change and Environment
Political Geography:
United Nations

572. Decision-Making under Uncertainty: Using Case Studies for Teaching Strategy in Complex Environments

Author:
Dr. Volker Franke
Publication Date:
01-2011
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:
Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:
Today's strategic environment is increasingly characterized by threats that "are both diffuse and uncertain, where conflict is inherently unpredictable, and where our capability to defend and promote our national interests may be restricted by political, diplomatic, informational and economic constraints. In short, it is an environment marked by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA)." Decision-makers, both civilian and military, who want to operate effectively in this environment must consider a wide range of social, political and cultural factors and demonstrate cognitive flexibility, adaptability and the ability to make decisions "on the fly."
Topic:
Climate Change and Economics

573. The coming harmonization of climate change policy and international investment law

Author:
Daniel M. Firger
Publication Date:
05-2011
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment
Abstract:
Developments in climate change policy and international investment law may be ushering in a new era characterized by profound harmonization between the two regimes. Although policy instruments such as the Kyoto Protocol's “Clean Development Mechanism” (CDM) have been in existence for years, it is only relatively recently that the international community has turned to low-carbon foreign direct investment (FDI) and away from command-and-control regulation as the preferred means by which to achieve future greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Meanwhile, states have begun to renegotiate international investment agreements (IIAs) or sign new treaties to take into account policy goals, including climate change mitigation, that extend beyond the regime's traditional preoccupation with investor protection. Though still somewhat tentative, emerging trends in both arenas are thus showing unmistakable signs of convergence.
Topic:
Climate Change, Economics, Industrial Policy, and Foreign Direct Investment
Political Geography:
United States and China

574. Guaranteeing Public Participation in Climate Governance

Publication Date:
01-2011
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Transparency International
Abstract:
Public participation is an essential element of good governance, helping to build trust, bring expertise, strengthen legitimacy, and close gaps in accountability. Effective public participation, in climate change or in any area, has three interrelated elements: access to information, which allows for informed public opinion; direct engagement, which gives the public a chance to influence policy; and oversight, which allows the public to assess the implemented policies.
Topic:
Civil Society, Climate Change, Corruption, Environment, and Governance
Political Geography:
United Nations

575. Ensuring Corporate Transparency to Mitigate Climate Change

Publication Date:
02-2011
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Transparency International
Abstract:
Mitigation to reduce global emissions of greenhouse gases will require substantial shifts in energy policy, consumer habits and technology development. As a major contributor of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and a driver of technological change, corporations will be crucial in shaping the solutions to many of these challenges.
Topic:
Climate Change, Environment, Industrial Policy, International Trade and Finance, and Markets
Political Geography:
United States

576. Climate Insecurities in Indonesia: Implications and Challenges for Defence Transformation

Author:
Evan A. Laksmana
Publication Date:
07-2011
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies (NTS)
Abstract:
This paper seeks to identify and assess key climate insecurities in Indonesia and further explore how they could potentially influence the process of defence reform that has been ongoing in Indonesia since Suharto's downfall in 1998. Key climate insecurities in Indonesia are related to energy and food security, large-scale disasters, drought, changing climate patterns and rising sea levels. Furthermore, this paper argues that given these security implications, the Indonesian National Defence Forces (TNI) has yet to seriously assess and incorporate climate change into its force development plans. Finally, this paper outlines some of the key challenges and prospects for TNI's defence reform process, as it relates to climate change.
Topic:
Security, Defense Policy, Climate Change, and Food
Political Geography:
South Asia and Indonesia

577. Fair Shares: Crediting Poor Countries for Carbon Mitigation

Author:
David Wheeler
Publication Date:
07-2011
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Center for Global Development
Abstract:
This paper computes national carbon mitigation costs using two simple principles: (1) Incremental costs for low-carbon energy investments are calculated using the cost of coal-fired power as the benchmark. (2) All low-carbon energy sources are counted, because reducing carbon emissions cannot be separated from other concerns: reducing local air pollution from fossil-fuel combustion; diversifying energy sources to reduce political and economic risks; and building competitive advantage in emerging clean-energy markets. The paper estimates energy growth and incremental costs for biomass, solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, and nuclear in 174 countries from 1990 to 2008. Then it compares national mitigation burdens using per-capita mitigation expenditures as shares of per-capita incomes. The results undermine the conventional view of North-South conflict that has dominated global climate negotiations, because they show that developing countries, whether by intention or not, have been critical participants in carbon mitigation all along. Furthermore, they suggest that developing countries have borne their fair share of global mitigation expenditures. But they also show that expenditures for both developed and developing countries have been so modest that low-carbon energy growth could accelerate greatly without undue strain.
Topic:
Climate Change, Development, Economics, and Energy Policy

578. Global Matrix: A conceptual and organisational framework for researching the future of global governance

Author:
Daniel Gros, Richard Youngs, Michael Emerson, Christian Egenhofer, Nathalie Tocci, Giovanni Grevi, and Jean-Pierre Cassarino
Publication Date:
07-2011
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Centre for European Policy Studies
Abstract:
Conceptually, Global Matrix advances in a systematic and structured inter-disciplinary (matrix) framework a research agenda for examining the stance of major world actors on the key policy dimensions to world politics (political ideologies, economics, migration, climate change, security and world view); drawing out evidence of cross-cutting linkages (between sectors and among major actors); and evaluating the evolution and adequacy of existing multilateral institutions in relation to the emerging multi-polarity, and formulating recommendations.
Topic:
Security, Climate Change, Economics, Globalization, International Cooperation, International Organization, and Governance
Political Geography:
Japan, South Africa, Brazil, and Korea

579. Distributional Consequences of Climate Change Impacts on the Power Sector: Who gains and who loses?

Author:
Dirk Rübbelke and Stefan Vögele
Publication Date:
05-2011
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Centre for European Policy Studies
Abstract:
Climate change tends to negatively affect the power sector, inter alia, by causing cooling problems in power plants and impairing the water supply required for hydro-power generation. In future, when global warming is expected to increase, autonomous adaptation to climate change via international electricity markets inducing reallocations of power generation may not be sufficient to prevent supply disruptions. Furthermore, the consequent changes of supply patterns and electricity prices might cause an undesirable redistribution of wealth both between individual power suppliers and between suppliers and consumers. This study ascertains changes in European power supply patterns and electricity prices caused by ongoing global warming as well as related redistribution of wealth for different climate change scenarios. Our results confirm that autonomous adaptation in the power sector should be complemented by planned public adaptation in order to preserve energy security and to prevent undesired distributional effects.
Topic:
Climate Change, Economics, Energy Policy, and Markets
Political Geography:
Europe

580. Space Observation Systems: An underused element for EU and global climate change policy

Author:
Christian Egenhofer and Monica Alessi
Publication Date:
06-2011
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Centre for European Policy Studies
Abstract:
The European Union has long played a key role in global efforts to reduce GHG emissions and, where necessary, to adapt to its impacts. It has also been an advocate of a legally binding comprehensive global climate change agreement.
Topic:
Climate Change, Globalization, and Science and Technology
Political Geography:
Europe