This commentary, published ahead of COP17, notes that as the United Nations climate negotiations flounder, businesses are forging ahead with their own low-carbon standards, and asks: Have we passed a political tipping point for momentum on carbon action?

The authors write that despite the lack of progress within the United Nations process, the momentum for action among business leaders, combined with action by individual governments, provides a measure of optimism. In this context, the greatest benefist coming from the international negotiations may be the expectations they create and anticipatory action they induce. However, binding commitments for the long term are required to ensure the credibility on which these expectations rest.

To maintain this momentum and institutionalize the business case for climate action, the authors conclude, the international negotiations process needs to step up with a post-Durban political roadmap for securing international binding commitments.

Read the article (external link to journal)