Trade and the environment : the political economy of CO₂ emission leakage with analysis of the steel and oil sands industries

Abstract

Introduction: In 2007, scientists and governmental officials from around the world contributed to the United Nations-authorized Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report. Through peer-reviewed scientific research and governmental review, the IPCC came to the conclusion that "warming of the climate system is unequivocal," and that "most of the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations." The IPCC Fourth Assessment states that humans have "more likely than not" contributed to the phenomena of more frequent "warm spells/heat waves," larger "area[s] affected by droughts," more "intense tropical cyclones.. .and heavy precipitation events," and "extreme high sea level[s]." Citing "high agreement" and "much evidence," the IPCC states that "with current climate change mitigation policies and related sustainable development practices, global GHG [greenhouse gas] emissions will continue to grow over the next few decades." (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2007)