Shared responsibility for global climate protection

Combating climate change and its consequences is a global task that requires joint efforts. The next few years up to 2030 are crucial in this respect. By outlining the different responsibilities of various countries for global warming measured by their CO₂ emissions, this focus paper illustrates the existing discrepancy between main polluters and main affected parties of climatic changes in a historical and current perspective. It discusses three dimensions of international climate liability - historical, current, and fiduciary liability - and their instruments, derived from a climate policy understanding of the ordoliberal liability principle. By analyzing the willingness to assume liability and the climate policy positions of OECD countries, as well as of China, India, Russia, and other emerging economies, the paper identifies existing gaps and needs for action.