Focusing on climate change policy after the first Kyoto commitment period ending in 2012, this special issue examines long-term strategy and the implications for stakeholders and the environment. International experts offer detailed policy analysis and review the links between policy and economics, sustainable development, technology and adaptation. An invaluable and insightful source of information on long-term thinking on climate change, this special issue of Climate Policy addresses the following key questions: What long-term range of policies for climate change adaptation and mitigation should Europe pursue to adequately enhance sustainability on a global level? What are the implications of long-term European climate strategy for the design of a global post-2012 climate regime? What are the key concerns of different stakeholders and how will these concerns impact on long-term climate policy?These questions were discussed during two workshops, commissioned by the European Forum on Integrated Environmental Assessment (EFIEA) and jointly organized by the National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), The Netherlands and the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Resear publication in this special issue. The special issue also includes introductory and concluding remarks from the guest editors, highlighting key points and offering an expert synthesis of the workshop discussions.Climate Policy Options Post-2012 offers a synthesis of expert thinking on long-term climate policy, addressing points such as: EU institutional and coalition development on climate change strategy, the importance of setting a diverse range of targets and commitments, retaining other features such as the flexible mechanisms, assessing costs and competitiveness, dealing with policy dilemmas and creating coherence in policy issues, and the need to strengthen strategic research, boost technological change, pay more attention to impacts and adaptation to enhance support for mitigation, develop a long-term vision and link this to short term action and managing of change.

This special issue of the Climate Policy journal addresses the following key questions: * What long-term range of policies for climate change adaptation and mitigation should Europe pursue to adequately enhance sustainability on a global level? * What are the implications of long-term European climate strategy for the design of a global post-2012 climate regime? * What are the key concerns of different stakeholders and how will these concerns impact on long-term climate policy? These questions were discussed during two workshops, commissioned by the European Forum on Integrated Environmental Assessment (EFIEA) and jointly organized by the National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), The Netherlands and the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, UK. Selected papers from these workshops were adapted and peer-reviewed for publication. International experts offer detailed policy analysis and review the links between policy and economics, sustainable development, technology and adaptation. Also included are introductory and concluding remarks from the guest editors, highlighting key points and offering an expert synthesis of the workshop discussions. This will be invaluable reading for professionals, researchers and academics interested in climate change and climate policy, policy makers, policy analysts, energy consultants, and representatives from industry planning their own long-term energy strategies.

The integration of development and climate objectives is increasingly recognized as significant in research and policy making. In practice, some development aims, such as poverty alleviation, enhancing energy security and access or improving health, also have potential climate benefits. The challenge is to find a broadly applicable range of effective policies and actions that realize development objectives and at the same time result in real climate benefits. This special issue of the Climate Policy journal focuses on new evidence that identifies options for action, examining how development strategies, policies and decisions can be made more sustainable by integrating climate change considerations and overcoming the barriers that hinder implementation. It also explores what lessons exist for policy at the national and international level and looks at how promising options for local policies can be scaled-up through international initiatives. It also examines how international policy frameworks can create the conditions for integrated development and climate policies. The outcomes provide useful contributions to sustainable development planning on issues such as poverty reduction, rural development, disaster preparedness, energy and transport as well as to the discussions at national and international level regarding next steps to deal with climate change.

Climate change and its impacts can have a very negative influence on people and their economies and yet social and economic development is the very driver of climate change. This complex relationship necessitates a two-way approach embracing the influence of climate change and policy/strategy/action on development, and the influence of development policies, strategies and decisions on climate change.Starting with development priorities, the integration of development and climate objectives is increasingly recognized as significant in research and policy making. In practice, some development aims, such as poverty alleviation, enhancing energy security and access or improving health, also have potential climate benefits. The challenge is to find a broadly applicable range of effective policies and actions that realize development objectives and at the same time result in real climate benefits either by reducing vulnerability to climate change impacts or creating development with lower emissions.This special issue of the "Climate Policy" journal focuses on new evidence that identifies options for action, examining how development strategies, policies and decisions can be made more sustainable by integrating climate change considerations and overcoming the barriers that hinder implementation. It explores what lessons exist for policy at the national and international level based on experience, research and case studies and looks at how promising options for local policies can be scaled-up through international initiatives to enhance their impact. It also examines how international policy frameworks can create the conditions for integrated development and climate policies. The outcomesprovide useful contributions to sustainable development planning on issues such as poverty reduction, rural development, disaster preparedness, energy and transport as well as to the discussions at national and international level regarding next steps to deal with climate change.

Some issues addressed in this Working Group III volume are mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, managing biological carbon reservoirs, geo-engineering, costing methods, and decision-making frameworks.

An unbiased and comprehensive overview, based on the findings of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). Using no jargon, it looks at tackling and adapting to man-made climate change, and works through the often confusing potential solutions. Bert Metz is the former co-chair of the IPCC, at the center of international climate change negotiations. His insider expertise provides a cutting edge assessment of issues at the top of the political agenda. He leads the reader succinctly through ambitious mitigation scenarios, in combination with adapting our future societies to different climate conditions and the potential costs of these measures. Illustrations and extensive boxed examples motivate students to engage with this essential global debate, and questions for each chapter are available online for course instructors. Minimal technical language also makes this book valuable to anyone with an interest in action to combat climate change.

Some issues addressed in this Working Group III volume are mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, managing biological carbon reservoirs, geo-engineering, costing methods, and decision-making frameworks.

Effective global response to climate change requires the development and transfer of environmentally sound technologies between and within countries, both for adapting to climate change as well as for mitigating the effects of greenhouse gas emissions. This Special Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) offers a state-of-the-art overview of how to achieve and enhance this transfer. 185 eminent experts from around the world provide accurate, unbiased, policy-relevant information on technology transfer, such as capacity building, the promotion of an enabling environment, and mechanisms for technology transfer from developed to developing countries. This IPCC volume is the most comprehensive assessment available on technology transfer for policymakers in industry and environmental organizations, and researchers in global change, technology, engineering, and economics.