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national cumulative emission reduction targets. This could take the form of a
common regional framework for GHG emission reduction by Arctic Council
countries that recognizes and reinforces the Arctic Council's long-term goal to
keep the global average temperature increase below 2°C.
We propose that member states consider setting up a task force or some other
group charged with developing options for such a common framework. The
options should be graded according to their anticipated ability to meet the 2°C
objective and their prospects for gaining political backing. The development of
options for a framework would not imply at this stage any future legal
commitment, but the next step could be for Arctic Council countries to develop
GHG emission reduction plans based on the common framework. The proposal
could suggest the consideration of the development of other regional agreements
under the UNFCCC. The Arctic Council could provide a “demonstration project”
by developing the structure and content of such an agreement between its member
states.
The proposed task force could be formal or informal.
WhydoIthinksuchanexercise wouldbeuseful,possible andquitesimplythecorrect
thing to do?
It would be useful because:
·
Although the task would not be easy, it would be much easier than trying to devel-
op an accord with more than 150 countries within the UNFCCC. It is always sim-
pler to reach agreement in small groups, especially when they share a common
vulnerable ecosystem, the Arctic and its peoples.
·
The Arctic Council contains large, small, and medium-sized countries. Some have
economies that include a large hydrocarbon (including coal) production and export
sector, while others rely on imports for all their hydrocarbon needs. Some are
heavily industrialized and some are not. This breadth of different economic back-
grounds should result in options that would have appeal from countries well bey-
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