PROCEDURAL LEADERSHIP IN CLIMATE POLICY - A EUROPEAN TASK

In the process which has led to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the European Union played an active role, In those years, the long-run perspective of European climate policy was geared to the ide a of a carbon tax, while the US and OPEC formed a blocking coalition, Meanwhile, the US has adopted a more open attitude to climate policy, but it is highly unlikely that a substantial carbon tax will be implem ented in the US in the foreseeable future, Forming a political consens us around this instrument has proved very difficult in Europe as well, Clearly, a fresh approach to climate policy is warranted, We argue th at this approach should consist of putting into place a process of seq uential decision making which is flexible, innovative and participator y, Such a process would lead beyond existing alternatives of taxation and regulation as defined by a seemingly omniscient political authorit y, Its rationale lies in the recognition of a 'cost barrier' which can be surmounted by the combination of patient multilateral negotiation, innovative business initiatives, and resonance with public opinion, T he European Union is in an excellent position to take on a leading rol e in establishing such a process, Europe's special opportunity lies in the fact that her citizenry is supportive of ambitious climate policy as nowhere else in the world, Furthermore, the current situation of t he European economies invites, and even demands, fresh thinking about the economic opportunities offered by a transition to sustainability. (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.