UN Climate Summit
“Catalyzing Action” is the theme for the 2014 UN Climate Summit on September 23. Leaders and policymakers attending the event are expected to discuss how taking action to prevent climate change “can advance the direct interests of nations, businesses and communities,” ideally motivating countries to make long-term commitments to economic sustainability.
In a new blog post, RFF’s Ray Kopp highlights the importance of accounting for participant interests when designing international climate agreements. He writes: “No matter how the legality of country commitments under the new agreement is treated—under international or domestic law—continued compliance with commitments and a willingness to increase the commitments over time will depend on each country’s internal assessment of the benefits it receives from remaining a party to the agreement.”
Clean Power Plan Extension
Fifty-three senators have expressed support for lengthening EPA’s Clean Power Plan’s open comment period—which currently ends October 16th—by an additional 60 days. The group has advised that “in light of the complexity and scope of the regulation,” EPA should consider extending its collection of public input on the plan’s state targets and the building blocks of its proposed best system of emissions reduction.
In a new question series, RFF asked experts from around the country to weigh in on a number of issues related to the implementation of the Clean Power Plan, including the definition of the “best system of emission reduction” and the translation of states’ rate-based goals into mass-based goals. More questions will be posted in the coming weeks. Readers are also encouraged to share their thoughts on these questions and responses by commenting through RFF’s blog, Common Resources.
