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Climate Change Politics in the U.S. - From Rio to Johannesburg

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Policy Paper, June 2002
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Without the United States, and because the rules have been relaxed in the Bonn and Marrakech bargaining, the Kyoto protocol will have only a modest impact on worldwide emissions...

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One year ago international negotiations on climate change were expected to cease after the decision of President Bush to reject the Kyoto Protocol as "fatally flawed".

Despite the Bush administration's position, the rest of the world agreed at the sixth UNFCCC1 Conference of the Parties (COP6) in Bonn to push ahead without the United States, and a number of decisions were adopted at COP7 in Marrakech in November 2001. It allows for an imminent ratification of the Kyoto protocol before the Johannesburg summit in spite of Canada's understandable reluctance.

Nevertheless the goal set by the Convention of Climate Change will not be reached unless the United States participates fully in the international effort.

 

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Climate Change Politics in the U.S. - From Rio to Johannesburg

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Climate & Energy
Center for Energy & Climate
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Ifri's Energy and Climate Center carries out activities and research on the geopolitical and geoeconomic issues of energy transitions such as energy security, competitiveness, control of value chains, and acceptability. Specialized in the study of European energy/climate policies as well as energy markets in Europe and around the world, its work also focuses on the energy and climate strategies of major powers such as the United States, China or India. It offers recognized expertise, enriched by international collaborations and events, particularly in Paris and Brussels.

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How to Make European e-SAF Production under RefuelEU Aviation Fly?

Date de publication
18 June 2026
Accroche

Three and a half years before the scheduled entry into force of the European regulation ReFuelEU Aviation (RFEUA), which requires aviation fuel suppliers at Union airports to offer a sustainable synthetic alternative (e-SAF), no sizeable commercial production unit (greater than 10,000 tons per year) is active within Europe yet, nor has it even passed the Final Investment Decision (FID). Is a major step in the European Union (EU) plans for decarbonizing air transport at risk of not happening, or at least being postponed for several years? Is Europe losing its bet to create a market for e-SAF? Under what conditions can this bet still be won? Could sovereignty and energy security preoccupations unlock necessary public support and help to overcome economic, financial, logistical or administrative obstacles?

Rémy CARBONNIER
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The European Biomethane Sector at a Critical Juncture: Stronger Policy Alignment Will Matter

Date de publication
10 June 2026
Accroche

The European biomethane sector is at a critical juncture.

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Europe’s Power Grid Challenge: A Make-or-Break for Accelerating Electrification

Date de publication
26 May 2026
Accroche

In April 2023, The Economist published an article pointing to the vast amounts of electricity infrastructure needed to reach energy transition goals. 

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Germany Maintains Its Single Electricity Price Zone: Implications

Date de publication
22 April 2026
Accroche

In December 2025, Germany refused to split its bidding zone despite recommendations from ENTSO-E, in order to preserve its federal unity, market liquidity, and the competitiveness of its industry, at the cost of persistent North-South imbalances.

François NUC
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How can this study be cited?

Pierre LEPETIT, « Climate Change Politics in the U.S. - From Rio to Johannesburg », Papers, Ifri, 1 June 2002.
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Climate Change Politics in the U.S. - From Rio to Johannesburg