Environmental Economics: mapping and overcoming obstacles to climate policy

National and international climate policies are surrounded by huge uncertainties and numerous obstacles. What are these obstacles and how do you formulate suitable solutions for a world that is unequally affected by global warming? Rick van der Ploeg is Professor of Environmental Economics at the Amsterdam School of Economics (ASE). As he sees it, the key lies in collaboration that transcends academic disciplines. Global warming has occupied society, scientists and the business community for many decades now. Although research into the issue is going on all the time, our economic system has not even come close to effectively limiting greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, there is a lack of climate policies that enjoy worldwide support. As Van der Ploeg explains: 'Disruption to the climate means the need for a complete overhaul of our economy.' The nature of such an overhaul and the underlying climate policies are the subjects the ASE professor is investigating.