The situation, agenda, and structure of class discussion
(1) The situation:
An informal meeting for policy exchanges or dialogues among the major countries or a region such as G77/China, EU, Japan, and the United States.
(2) Agenda
a.How to stabilize climate change? [This is the ultimate goal of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to which the United States is also the Party.] As to the EU and Japan both of which ratified the Kyoto Protocol (KP) in 2002, the main issue or concern is how to pursue a further reduction of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions internationally beyond 2012. For the United States, how to justify its rejection of the KP and yet to show the rest of the world its efforts for reducing the GHGs emissions to achieve the goal of the UNFCCC. With regard to China, although it has no obligation to reduce of GHGs emissions during the first commitment period of 2008-12, make a statement about its policy for the stabilization of climate change.
b.How to strengthen the climate change regime? In other words, how to begin negotiations with developing countries about their participation in a collective effort for reducing GHGs emissions after the first commitment period.
(3)The structure of the class discussion:
a.First, each player presents her/his country or region’s (or EU’s) basic policy on the issue of global climate change, or arresting global warming. Second, each player presents policy proposals to address the above mentioned agenda items according to the basic policy line. (about 10 minutes each)
b.Then, a free discussion follows. (about 40 minutes)
c.A final remark by each player. (a few minutes each)
(4)What does each student have to prepare for and submit to me?
A policy paper
Your policy paper should contain:
?the background information about the climate change regime, consisted of the UNFCCC and KP, and the current situation of this regime;
?a policy statement of each country or a region (=EU); and
?The policy proposals on the agenda items.
?The length of the paper.
It depends on how well you conduct research, but, at least, please put your research together in approximately 1500 English words.