Close Examination of the Principle of Global Per-Capita Allocation of the Earth’s Ability to Absorb Greenhouse Gas
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Yoram Margalioth
In this Article we attempt to narrow the gap between developed and developing countries’ respective perceptions of justice in the context of climate change. We show that, in spite of its intuitive appeal, the equal per-capita argument is not grounded in any general moral principle and therefore cannot provide an answer to the question regarding what would be a fair allocation of emission rights. We argue that the underlying moral theory is global distributive justice theory, which unfortunately can only be of very limited help. We briefly discuss the various particular principles/considerations that are offered in the literature either in support or in criticism of the equal percapita allocation and find that upon close analysis they generally support the developing countries’ view, but not a per-capita allocation of emission rights. We conclude with a practical suggestion.
© 2013 by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co.
Articles in the same Issue
- Masthead
- Introduction
- Mitigation, Adaptation or Climate Engineering?
- The Montreal Protocol Protection of Ozone and Climate
- Two Stories About E.U. Climate Change Law and Policy
- Orchestrating a Low-Carbon Energy Revolution Without Nuclear: Germany’s Response to the Fukushima Nuclear Crisis
- Transformations in Brazilian Deforestation and Climate Policy Since 2005
- An Analytical Comparison of Various Influential Models of China’s Future Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Global Role
- Differentiation in the Emerging Climate Regime
- In-Country Disparities in Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Their Significance for Politicizing a Future Global Climate Pact
- Close Examination of the Principle of Global Per-Capita Allocation of the Earth’s Ability to Absorb Greenhouse Gas
- Unilateral Carbon Taxes, Border Tax Adjustments and Carbon Leakage
- Where There’s a Will There’s a Way – A Theoretical Analysis of the Connection Between Social Policy and Environmental Performance
- Building a More Effective Global Climate Regime Through a Bottom-Up Approach
- International Governance of Climate Engineering
Articles in the same Issue
- Masthead
- Introduction
- Mitigation, Adaptation or Climate Engineering?
- The Montreal Protocol Protection of Ozone and Climate
- Two Stories About E.U. Climate Change Law and Policy
- Orchestrating a Low-Carbon Energy Revolution Without Nuclear: Germany’s Response to the Fukushima Nuclear Crisis
- Transformations in Brazilian Deforestation and Climate Policy Since 2005
- An Analytical Comparison of Various Influential Models of China’s Future Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Global Role
- Differentiation in the Emerging Climate Regime
- In-Country Disparities in Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Their Significance for Politicizing a Future Global Climate Pact
- Close Examination of the Principle of Global Per-Capita Allocation of the Earth’s Ability to Absorb Greenhouse Gas
- Unilateral Carbon Taxes, Border Tax Adjustments and Carbon Leakage
- Where There’s a Will There’s a Way – A Theoretical Analysis of the Connection Between Social Policy and Environmental Performance
- Building a More Effective Global Climate Regime Through a Bottom-Up Approach
- International Governance of Climate Engineering
