Stabilization of CO₂ Emissions With Allowances for Needs of Developing Countries

Eugene S. Takle
© 4 March 1998

Tom Wigley, in a letter to the editor (Nature 390, 267-270, November 1997) reports his calculations on some alternative strategies for developed vs developing countries for limiting greenhouse gas emissions to achieve stabilization of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations at 550 ppm. If emissions in developed countries continue at a "Business as Usual" rate until 2010, but then decline at 1% to 2% per year, then emissions in developing countries could be allowed to increase at a rate of Business as Usual until 2030 and still stabilize the maximum atmospheric CO₂ level at 550 ppm. Earlier reductions by developed countries or use of tradable emission rights could allow further time for developing countries to reach a development stage where they, too, could begin to reduce emissions.