Transformation of the “Climate Club” Concept: From Theory to Practice (Review)

Abstract

The concept of a "climate club" has been presented by researchers as an attempt to ensure progress in the achievement of the Paris goals through the adoption of more ambitious targets and restrictive measures, including carbon pricing, by a group of countries, preferably those responsible for a larger share of global greenhouse gas emissions. Theoretical models are virtually impossible to implement in practice, so attempts have been made to develop club configurations that take into account political, economic and institutional realities. Based on this body of work, the first concepts of clubs that can be realistically implemented are presented. They differ in terms of membership conditions, levels of policy harmonization, ambitions of goals, and ways to punish free riders. Attempts to take into account the interests of countries with different levels of development and strength of climate policy, as well as willingness to introduce new restrictive measures, lead to weakening of the institutional structure and reduction of efficiency. However, some aspects of cooperation can still be developed to ensure the reduction of emissions, harmonization of standards being one of them