The International Climate Change Taskforce, founded by ippr with the Center for American Progress and the Australia Institute and co-chaired by Labour MP Stephen Byers and US Republican Senator Olympia Snowe, was set up to advise progress on international climate change policy, especially in the context of the UK’s presidencies of the G8 and EU.

The Taskforce reported throughout 2004 and 2005, and its findings were disseminated and promoted at an environment seminar in Brussels with Elliot Morley MP, UK Minister for Climate Change and Environment, and at the 2005 UN climate change summit in Montreal.

Some of the Taskforce’s key recommendations have already been taken up, including progress towards the establishment of a ‘G8+’ group of the G8 and major developing countries to forge low-carbon technology partnerships and promote dialogue on market based policy instruments such as emissions trading. The UK Government has also adopted the Taskforce’s recommendation to work towards forging international agreement on a long-term global target to prevent dangerous climate change.

The Taskforce's findings are detailed in the following reports:

• Meeting the Climate Challenge outlines the recommendations of the International Climate Change Taskforce.
  
• Adaptation to Climate Change reports on how human societies, particularly in the developing world, can adapt to the problems caused by climate change.
  
• Catalysing Commitment on Climate Change identifies policies that a leadership coalition of countries might pursue to improve international willingness to address climate change.
  
• Setting a Long Term Climate Objective argues that defining objectives of the UNFCCC is now a matter of urgency and makes recommendations on how such a definition could be achieved.
  
• Climate Change Policy Beyond Kyoto delivers a new global plan.
  
• Advancing International Climate Policy is an options paper prepared by the Australia Institute.
  
• Understanding the International Climate Regime and Prospects for Future Action was prepared on behalf of Green Globe Network, UK.
  

Relevant articles

• Tony Blair and climate change: a change of heart?  by Simon Retallack, OpenDemocracy, 8th November 2005
• Dawn Deal, by Simon Retallack, Guardian Unlimited, 12th December 2005.

Taskforce members

Co-Chairs: Rt Hon. Stephen Byers MP (UK) and Senator Olympia J Snowe (USA)

Taskforce Members:
Hon. Bob Carr MP (Australia)
Professor John P Holdren (USA)
Martin Khor Kok-Peng (Malaysia)
Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet MP (France)
Dr Claude Martin (Switzerland)
Professor Tony McMichael (Australia)
Jonathon Porritt (UK)
Adair Turner (UK)
Dr Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker (Germany)
Professor Ni Weidou (China)
Hon. Timothy E Wirth (USA)
Cathy Zoi (Australia)

Scientific Adviser to the Taskforce: Dr Rajendra K Pachauri (India)