Climate Diplomacy from Rio to Paris

The Effort to Contain Global Warming

Sweet William

The essential primer for understanding climate diplomacy, describing both the major players and the path to progress, from the 1992 Rio Summit to the 2015 Paris Climate Conference Climate Diplomacy from Rio to Paris is the first accessible overview of climate diplomacy in its first quarter century. The author, who has reported on energy and climate for two decades, provides readers with a nuanced account of the major players and their interests – from the United States, the European Union, and China to environmental organizations, the United Nations, and the Vatican – and analyzes the outcomes of the major climate conferences at Rio, Kyoto, Copenhagen, and Paris.

About the Author

William Sweet is a reporter and writer. He previously wrote about science and public policy for Physics Today, and about energy and climate for IEEE Spectrum. He is the author of two previous books, "Kicking the Carbon Habit" and "The Nuclear Age".

Reviews

"Sweet's history provides a balanced account of what has happened in climate negotiations. It spreads the blame evenly and ends on a hopeful tone about the expectations of the future. A good read for those who want a quick understanding" – Joyeeta Gupta, author of "The History of Global Climate Governance"

"An incisive review of climate diplomacy from Rio to Paris. Even the most experienced observers of the process will learn something new from this comprehensive account of the key moments, issues, players, and negotiating dynamics" – Alden Meyer, Director of Strategy and Policy, Union of Concerned Scientists

"William Sweet has written an excellent and very current book, as he carries the discussion of global climate diplomacy all the way to the 2015 Paris meeting" – Venkat Lakshmi, Cox Visiting Professor of Earth Sciences, Stanford University

"Showing his strength as a reporter, Sweet explains very well that the policy process is not always rational or straight-forward. Outlining both the chronology of global climate policy and the cast of characters, this book shows climate diplomacy is based on logic, science, and personalities" – Chadwick Dearing Oliver, Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies

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