1. The meaning of Paris: four perspectives
Frans Berkhout
Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy
King’s College London

2. Climate governance has flipped
From a hedgehog to a fox:
From a single, unitary vision of principles-based allocation of burden-sharing
To a multiplicity of voluntary commitments and a portmanteau goal
From a plan to muddling-through
From legally-binding commitments to transparency

3. Paris is a symptom of transition
The transition to low-carbon is well-underway
50% of power investment is renewables
Low-C is becoming tangible for consumers
Fossil fuels are becoming ‘toxic’
Paris pledges represent the normalisation of a low-C future in international politics (that is, Paris is less cause than effect)

4. Markets in the lead
Socio-technical transitions (digital/energy) are slow
rules-of-the-game need time to adjust
Schumpetarian ‘creative destruction’ needs to unfold
After a tipping-point, a new selection environment is created and the market takes over

5. Loss and damage
Paris is part of a rebalancing of international attention towards impacts and adaptation
There is a growing development and humanitarian challenge, with climate as a risk- amplifier
Liability claims are not going away