Publication

This paper examines the role of development in the climate change debate. The authors suggest some principles for determining equitable distribution of emission cuts between developed and developing countries to meet global targets. These principles emphasize basic energy needs and the equality of access to energy opportunities rather than emissions. The paper concludes that a new shared narrative that places equality of energy opportunities at the forefront would shift the focus of international cooperation from allocating emissions rights or reductions and blame to maximizing efforts to achieving technology gains and rapidly transferring them worldwide.