Unanimity or standing aside? Reinterpreting consensus in United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change negotiations
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12824031 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Katharina Rietig (0000-0002-4226-5766, Newcastle University, corresponding author), Christine Peringer, Sarina They (0000-0002-8360-7830, University of the South Pacific), Jecel Censoro (Newcastle University) |
| Year | 2023 |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 221-234 |
| Publication date | 2023-06-08 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Environmental Agreements Politics Law and Economics (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1567-9764 • E-ISSN: 1573-1553 |
| Publisher | Springer Science+Business Media (PUBLISHER • DE) |
| DOI | 10.1007/s10784-023-09593-y |
| OpenAlex | W4379875541 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 6 |
| References cited | 21 |
What is the meaning of ‘consensus’ within and beyond the UNFCCC? What alternative interpretations of consensus are available based on consensus facilitation practice and related literature? This article assesses the mismatch between how the UNFCCC interprets consensus and its broader interpretation in the facilitation practice literature, and proposes a way forward using the concept of ‘standing aside’ more prominently. The restrictive consensus interpretation has far-reaching implications for the ability of the world’s central climate regime to be fit for purpose, i.e., facilitating multilateral climate action. The analysis of consensus in the UNFCCC points to the central problems of unpredictability and ambiguity in the determination that consensus exists. Many negotiators and chairs acknowledge the problem of predominantly interpreting consensus as unanimity and have subsequently sought ways to address the damage it does through ad hoc rulings that consensus exists sometimes by ignoring the expressions of objection; however, this comes at the expense of a good predictable process
Ambiguity · Argument (complex analysis · Aside · Climate change · Convention · Economics · Epistemology · Global warming · Interpretation (philosophy · Kyoto Protocol · Law and economics · Meaning (existential · Negotiation · Political science · Positive economics · Scientific consensus · Sociology · Unanimity · United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change · Climate Change and Geoengineering · Climate Change Policy and Economics · Computer Science · Law · Sustainability and Climate Change Governance
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| Unique citing works | 6 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 3 |
| Citation span | 2024 - 2026 (3) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 6 |