If this pressure is effective, according to Stavins, eventually countries accounting for 80 to 90 percent of global emissions could be included with additional commitments, including Brazil, Korea, Mexico, South Africa, and Indonesia.
Kennedy School and Physics professor David W. Keith, said he hopes to see more contingent commitments between countries as well.
“For example, the U.S. could say, ‘We will commit to cut an additional 5 percent if China can put in place policies that will see its emissions peak before 2025.’ I think those contingent commitments are potentially much more powerful,” Keith said.
This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:
CORRECTION: November 14, 2014
An earlier version of this article incorrectly paraphrased Robert N. Stavins in talking about the impact additional countries making emissions commitments could have. In fact, Stavins said that eventually countries accounting for 80 to 90 percent of global emissions could be included among those making commitments.