Challenges for the next days in Copenhagen

The document analyzes a draft text for international climate cooperation, emphasizing the need for domestic emission targets in Annex 1 countries to avoid loopholes and provide investment certainty. It argues that non-Annex I countries must develop low-emission plans and Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs), supported by developed countries' resources and carbon pricing on aviation and shipping. Finally, it calls for a political transition from the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) to tailored NAMA support to prevent carbon-intensive lock-in and incentivize domestic regulation.

• The use of the word 'mainly' regarding the domestic delivery of emission reduction targets creates risks, including a 'loop-hole' for domestic lobby groups to use 'environmentally controversial offsets' or 'hot air' instead of domestic reductions, and investment uncertainty for low-carbon activities in Annex 1 countries.
• To prevent the lock-in of carbon-intensive technologies in non-Annex I countries, the draft text requires these nations to create low-emission development plans aiming for a 'substantial deviation of emissions' of 15-30 percent by 2020 compared to a scenario without enhanced mitigation.
• The success of Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) depends on commitments including Annex 1 resource provision, carbon pricing for international shipping and aviation, ambitious strategies from non-Annex I countries, and comprehensive monitoring for transparency and private investment.
• The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is criticized for creating profits for carbon-intensive sectors in non-Annex 1 countries and incentivizing opposition to domestic carbon pricing; therefore, a political decision is needed to transition from CDM to tailored NAMA support mechanisms.

APA

Neuhoff, K. (2009). Challenges for the next days in Copenhagen. Climate Strategies. https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/challenges-for-the-next-days-in-copenhagen-karsten-neuhoff.pdf

Chicago

Neuhoff, Karsten. Challenges for the next days in Copenhagen. Climate Strategies, 2009. https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/challenges-for-the-next-days-in-copenhagen-karsten-neuhoff.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Neuhoff |first1=Karsten |title=Challenges for the next days in Copenhagen |publisher=Climate Strategies |date=14 December 2009 |url=https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/challenges-for-the-next-days-in-copenhagen-karsten-neuhoff.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{neuhoff2009challenges, author = {Neuhoff, Karsten}, title = {{Challenges for the next days in Copenhagen}}, institution = {Climate Strategies}, year = {2009}, month = dec, url = {https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/challenges-for-the-next-days-in-copenhagen-karsten-neuhoff.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }