Ethics, Equity, and International Negotiations on Climate Change

Front Cover
Luiz Pinguelli Rosa, Mohan Munasinghe
Edward Elgar, 2002 - 181 pages
Climate change is an issue in which every human being on the planet is a potential stakeholder. Therefore, equity and ethical considerations have an important role to play in determining a climate change response strategy that will prevent the worst case scenario. In this context, the authors of this important new book attempt to provide a better understanding of the practical and analytical issues surrounding climate change negotiations.

Each of the chapters reflects on an issue linked to the concepts of ethics, equity and climate change such as economics, morality, politics, rights and law, philosophy, and atmospheric science. The authors, who come from a diverse range of national, disciplinary and sectoral backgrounds, advance pragmatic policy suggestions to enhance international negotiations on climate change and highlight the value of considering more humanistic aspects in the negotiation process.

Greenhouse gas emissions are widely considered to be the ultimate environmental externality and consequently an issue of great contemporary concern. This insightful and original treatment of the important issues will be welcomed by climate change negotiators, policymakers, and economic, environmental and social researchers. It will also be of interest to anyone who believes that the negotiation process may benefit from a more deep-rooted shift in social attitudes and beliefs.

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About the author (2002)

An outstanding authority and author in energy economics and international development, Mohan Munasinghe received his undergraduate education in engineering at Cambridge University and went on to McGill University, receiving a Ph.D. in electrical engineering in 1973. He then turned his attention to economics, receiving an M.A. at Concordia College (Montreal) in 1975. Since that year, he has been division chief for environmental policy at the World Bank in Washington, D.C. His work at the World Bank has related to projects in developing countries concerning energy, electricity, transportation, water, urban infrastructures, and telecommunications. He has been a prolific author, writing nearly 200 technical papers and numerous books and monographs. In addition, Munasinghe has been active in the affairs of his native country, Sri Lanka, where he has served as senior energy advisor to the president, a board member of the Natural Resources, Energy, and Science Authority, governor of the Arthur Clarke Center for Modern Technologies, and founder of the Energy Managers Association. He is a fellow of the National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka, the Institution of Electrical Engineers (UK), and the Institute of Engineers of Sri Lanka. Munasinghe's honors include the Surha Gold Medal, 1985 (Lions International); International Award, 1987 (International Association of Energy Economists); and the Prize for Outstanding Contribution, 1988 (Fifth Latin American and Caribbean Conference on Power and Energy).

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