ABSTRACT

The reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of anthropogenic origin across the globe, to prevent dangerous interference with the Earth's climate beyond the point of no return, and to minimize such human interference with climate is today the most pressing issue in global environmental governance. Article 2 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), emphasizes that the ‘ultimate objective' of the Convention is the ‘stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system' (UNFCCC, 1992). Article 3.1 further enjoins: ‘The Parties should protect the climate system for the benefit of present and future generations of humankind, on the basis of equity and in accordance with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities' (UNFCCC, 1992).