Achieving Sustainable Development in an Age of Climate Change Economic Social Affairs

Adapting to climate change is critical for sustainable development. Steps must be taken to strengthen the adaptive capacity of all stakeholders and to mainstream adaptation into sectoral and national planning processes. Achieving the aims reflected in the international sustainable development agenda also requires mitigation efforts in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. Whereas among industrialized countries the approach to mitigation has focused on a cap-and-trade system, for developing countries such a strategy may not be ideal. For those countries, an investment-based approach encouraging the use of renewable energy alternatives appears to be the most promising mitigation strategy. In support of such approach, large-scale global funds for technology transfer required for mitigation and for helping countries cover adaptation costs should be considered.--Publisher's description.