This award provides partial support for a study to identify and analyse obstacles to international cooperation in controlling growth in emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), one of the gases contributing to increased warming of the earth's surface. The research will also explore possible means of overcoming these obstacles. The study has five parts: (1) assembling basic information and providing a broad perspective on the prevailing and prospective CO2 problem, (2) reviewing actual or prospective international agreements for insights applicable to the formation of an international CO2 accord, (3) identifying different perspectives, by reviewing relevant policy plans and pronouncements of governments and private decision makers and by assessing actual behavior with respect to greenhouse warming in different regions of the world, (4) reviewing the comparative cost of achieving specified reductions in emissions and developing an approximate rank-ordering of reduction costs in different regions, and (5) exploring and analysing a wide range of equity problems associated with assumptions and choices about how to control these emissions. Research findings will be published in a peer-reviewed volume; shorter papers will be distributed to scholars and general audiences; meetings and briefings will involve both public officials and private participants in discussion the implications of the findings. This research has an important and timely focus; its results will be useful and accessible to a wide audience. The qualifications and track record of the investigators are excellent; institutional support is very good; the research plan is sensible. Support is highly recommended.
