Document Type

Working Paper

Publication Date

2011

Abstract

This paper discusses China's new transparency pledge – MRV as it relates to Chinese mitigation commitments – as laid out in the non-legal binding agreement reached at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen on December 18. 2009. Specifically, this paper compares China’s position on MRV with relevant mechanisms and requirements under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol, the Bali Action Plan, and the Copenhagen Accord. Furthermore, this paper seeks to answer several questions pertinent to the progress and challenges of China’s MRV regime: Are China’s GHGs emissions measured continuously? Are there review mechanisms to ensure quality control of the data and analyses? What information is made available to the public? This paper then develops some preliminary insight for decision-makers on the potential role of the MRV in policy design, structure of regulations and system of responsibility.

Disciplines

Environmental Law | Law

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