President Ólafur Grímsson used his opening address to underscore the point that climate change is a common global challenge that requires the world to unite in a common purpose to meet. However, there are clearly significant problems even where his framing of the issue is accepted. The present Government of Australia has accepted the commonality of the threat of climate change and the need for a common purpose in confronting it. Nevertheless, Canberra continues to encounter criticism regarding its efforts to make its contribution internationally to a soft law regime to address the problem. Much of this criticism has come from its nearest neighbours who do not regard the Australian efforts as supportive of their interpretation of the necessary common purpose.
History
Publication title
Proceedings from the 6th NRF Open Assembly in Hveragerði, Iceland