Country stakes in climate change negotiations: two dimensions of vulnerability

Using a comprehensive geo-referenced database of indicators relating to global change and energy, the paper assesses countries' likely attitudes with respect to international treaties that regulate carbon emissions. The authors distinguish between source and impact vulnerability and classify countries according to these dimensions. The findings show clear differences in the factors that determine likely negotiating positions. This analysis and the resulting detailed, country level information help to explain the incentives required to make the establishment of such agreements more likely.
This paper--a product of the Sustainable Rural and Urban Development Team, Development Research Group--is part of a larger effort in the department to understand the implications and impacts of climate [...]