Compliance in the 2015 climate agreement
The rule of law has a significant influence on how states behave. A legally binding regime with a robust compliance mechanism can provide much-needed certainty that the agreed provisions are enforceable, and that the targets that the parties themselves have set can be met. Provisions for compliance give an assurance that the parties are serious about their self-determined targets – which can in return enhance trust between parties. A compliance~mechanism can also support effective implementation, and prevent the so-called ‘free riding’ of those parties unwilling to contribute, but who will eventually benefit from other~parties’ sacrifices.
This paper discusses the options for addressing compliance in the 2015 climate agreement.
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Available at https://www.iied.org/g04041