<i>'Since the 2009 Copenhagen climate summit, analysts have focused on what national policy is capable of delivering by way of emission reductions, as that level has de facto become the international regime. This carefully constructed book is immensely useful in the way that it describes and explains the policy trajectories of seven of the world's largest emitters. It is highly recommended both as a state-of-the-art summary of the policy status quo in those countries and a launch pad for new analytical research on the sources of future policy innovation.'</i><br /> --Andrew Jordan, University of East Anglia, UK
Using a common conceptual framework, the authors find that the scope for a more ambitious climate policy is limited by stable material parameters such as energy resource endowments and accumulated infrastructural investments. Within that scope, governmental supply of mitigation policies seems to meet (or even exceed) societal demand for climate policy change in most cases. Given the important roles that the seven actors play in addressing global climate change, the book's in-depth comparative analysis will help readers assess the prospects for a new and more effective international climate agreement for 2020 and beyond.
Students and scholars of environmental politics and the climate and environmental policy fields will find the new conceptual framework and empirical case studies of great value. The book's up-to-date information and analyses will also interest energy sector practitioners and climate and energy policymakers.
Contributors: S. Aamodt, S. Andresen, G. Bang, M. Iguchi, A. Korppoo, A. Luta, T. Rauken, J.B. Skjærseth, I. Stensdal, S. Tankha, A. Underdal