In The News

From Brussels to Durban: Debt and Climate Crises Spotlight Free Riders

Scott Barrett December 9, 2011
Europe’s rapid response to the debt crisis may have overshadowed the long-planned negotiations on climate change in Durban, but the contrast throws light on the problem of global governance, explains economist Scott Barrett. Both crises demonstrate the limits of collective action in the face of known dangers. In Europe, poor fiscal discipline by any euro member threatened other countries, he...

Divisions Deepen at UN Talks on Climate

Pilita Clark December 3, 2011
The European Union has long been a leader advocating reduced carbon emissions to stem climate change. China rejects EU demands, though, that rapid-growing emerging economies also join in making sacrifices: a China spokesman urges sticking to a plan that does not hold developing nations to binding commitments; the EU maintains that all countries, developed or undeveloped, should join on binding...

The Three Challenges Facing the Electricity Sector

Jean-Paul Bouttes, François Dassa and Renaud Crassous November 28, 2011
The global demand for energy is climbing, and governments must encourage innovation to keep up, contends a team from EDF, a leading nuclear energy company based in France. Other challenges include limiting greenhouse-gas emissions to stem global warming and promoting sustainability in cities with rapid growth. “On the demand side, technologies exist for a wide range of end-uses: thermal...

How Walmart Is Changing China

Orville Schell November 23, 2011
Walmart is working with China to identify and reduce waste in packaging, shipping and energy use, explains China expert Orville Schell in an article for the Atlantic. Any cost-saving idea can be multiplied among thousands of suppliers, thousands of stores, millions of employees and shoppers. Since 2005, Walmart and China “are engaging in a bold experiment in consumer behavior modification, market...

Darkening Skies on the Road to Durban – Part II

Andrea Armeni November 23, 2011
In tackling climate change, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change must negotiate among parties that are poles apart and the equally vehement interests of developers and conservationists. This YaleGlobal series analyzes challenges awaiting the leaders headed for Durban, including the need for global cooperation and the cross-border nature of so many interests. In the second and final...

Green Costs Go Global

Nayan Chanda November 22, 2011
Recovery from natural disasters is costly, and climate change, combined with ongoing reliance on fossil fuels, promises more crises and expenditures. Extreme weather events are disrupting the global supply chain with consequences for corporations. Flooding in Thailand is just one example: The country “quietly emerged as a key player in the production and distribution of automobile and consumer...

Darkening Skies on the Road to Durban – Part I

J.R. McNeill November 21, 2011
The discomfort over record floods, droughts and wildfires is merging views around the globe – with many hoping for decisive action from the more than 200 nations gathering for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Durban. This YaleGlobal series focuses on the challenges confronting decision-makers. Climate change, as the dominant issue of our time, demands global cooperation, writes J....