2020 Virtual Forum: Parallel Session 1

Prospects for international cooperation to manage a transition away from fossil fuel production


Moderator:

Kathryn Harrison, Department of Political Science, University of British Columbia

Panelists:

Geir B. Asheim, Department of Economics, University of Oslo

Harro van Asselt, Centre for Climate Change, Energy and Environmental Law, University of Eastern Finland Law School

Tzeporah Berman, Stand.Earth and York University

Navroz Dubash, Centre for Policy Research

Is a transition away from fossil fuel production possible at a global scale? If so, what sort of governance arrangements and transitions supports will be necessary to facilitate international cooperation on a managed decline in fossil fuel supply? In this session, participants will discuss the rationale for some form of international agreement that would help align fossil fuel production with climate mitigation goals. A range of options for international cooperation will be explored, including working through existing regimes such as the UNFCCC, and possibilities for new agreements, such as a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty, or a ‘club’ of major producers working together to manage a just transition. Panelists will discuss some of the key challenges to gaining international agreement, drawing from experiences in past climate and energy negotiations, and highlight examples that already exist of international cooperation on fossil fuel supply.