This article has been written within the framework of “EU and Global Climate Change Policy and the Increasing Role of Cities” CEPS Task Force, chaired by Laurence Tubiana (Iddri, Sciences Po).
The objective is to offer a framework to consider “How commitments by cities can fit into a post-2012 climate change agreement?” The paper identifies key elements that need to be taken into account when developing a roadmap that seeks empowerment of local governments in the UN post-2012 framework on climate change. Four aspects of this question are explored: political, economic, technical and legal. The main issues to be addressed regarding each of these four aspects are highlighted.