Search

Adaptation to climate change: so ambiguous. The paper consiçlers the meaning of the increasing importance given to adaptation to climate change. First it examines the theoretical challenge of the concept from the systems theory standpoint. Paradoxically this leads to focussing attention on the values and structural features specific of the system considered rather than on the features of its environment. This outcome justifies the introduction of a key distinction between those features and components touching the identity of the system and those that are purely instrumental. The status of adaptation is then scrutinized both in the discourse of economic experts and in international negotiations that aim to set up a new climate agreement. Beyond the need to take account of the inescapable part of climate change over the next thirty years, the paper shows how in the past the notion of adaptation has been mobilized to downsize the pressing need to take immediate vigorous mitigation policies. At present, its seems that the rise of adaptation is the sign and vector of an implicit abandonment of the goal of containing climate change within the 2°C increase range from pre-industrial levels. This meaning finds an appropriate vehicle in the economic mode of representation that considers mitigation and adaptation as two alternative means towards the same end, i.e. maximization of an intertemporal social utility function. Several objections are raised against the current assumptions made in that context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the policy and legal framework for the implementation of CDM projects in Uganda and its implications for climate change mitigation. It gives a background to climate change in Uganda and notes that climate change in Uganda can largely be attributed to unsustainable utilisation of the natural resources which has led to over exploitation and total loss of some of the natural resources. The paper reviews the international legal regime for climate change and its significance for climate change mitigation in Uganda and observes that Uganda has implemented the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol in accordance with the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities and the precautionary principle. This has for instance culminated in the carrying out of a National Inventory of Sources and Sinks of Greenhouse gases. The role of CDM in climate change mitigation is explored by examining the key CDM projects that have been implemented in Uganda. The key finding of the paper is that Uganda does not have an independent policy or law which deals with CDM and recommends that such policy and legal inadequacies should urgently be addressed.

Copyright of Ebisu is the property of MAISON FRANCO-JAPONAISE, Bureau français and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)