The Uses and Misuses of Technology Development as a Component of Climate Policy

Joint Program Report
The Uses and Misuses of Technology Development as a Component of Climate Policy
Jacoby, H.D. (1998)
Joint Program Report Series, 16 pages

Report 43 [Download]

Abstract/Summary:

The current misplaced focus on short-term climate policies is a product both of domestic political exigencies and badly flawed technical analyses. A prime example of the latter is a recent U.S. Department of Energy study, prepared by five national laboratories. The 5-Labs study assumes — incorrectly — that technical solutions are readily at hand. Worse, advocates of short-term emissions targets under the Framework Convention on Climate Change are using this study to justify the subsidy of existing energy technologies — diverting resources from the effective long-term technology response that will be needed if the climate picture darkens.

Citation:

Jacoby, H.D. (1998): The Uses and Misuses of Technology Development as a Component of Climate Policy. Joint Program Report Series Report 43, 16 pages (http://globalchange.mit.edu/publication/14628)
  • Joint Program Report
The Uses and Misuses of Technology Development as a Component of Climate Policy

Jacoby, H.D.

Report 

43
16 pages
1998

Abstract/Summary: 

The current misplaced focus on short-term climate policies is a product both of domestic political exigencies and badly flawed technical analyses. A prime example of the latter is a recent U.S. Department of Energy study, prepared by five national laboratories. The 5-Labs study assumes — incorrectly — that technical solutions are readily at hand. Worse, advocates of short-term emissions targets under the Framework Convention on Climate Change are using this study to justify the subsidy of existing energy technologies — diverting resources from the effective long-term technology response that will be needed if the climate picture darkens.