Introduction

The previous chapters of this book presented a comprehensive and objective guide to the rules, institutions and procedures of the climate regime. Our main aim in doing so was to make the regime more accessible. An additional hope was to encourage an informed assessment of the merits of what has been achieved, as well of the limitations that remain. We realise that few policy-makers have the time to reflect deeply on the overall direction of climate rules and the ‘health’ of climate institutions to see if these are performing at their best. Increased specialisation, policy linkages and travel commitments, on top of the demands of deepening domestic implementation processes, all take a toll. And, of course, climate change is not the only global challenge. Eradicating poverty, funding AIDS research, creating financial stability, progressing gender equality, financing biodiversity conservation, and securing peace and security, to name a few, compete for resources and time, notwithstanding the vital contribution each makes to achieving sustainable development and the Millennium Development Goals which climate change itself now potentially threatens.

Writing this book gave us the opportunity to think beyond the immediate demands of COP meetings. Although the achievements of the climate regime are impressive, it is also true to say that nearly all Parties are struggling to implement their commitments, and new challenges seem to emerge faster than older ones can be solved.