Breaking the Climate Deadlock is an international climate change initiative between former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and The Climate Group.  Its objective is to help build high-level political and business support in key countries for a new and ambitious post-2012 climate change agreement.

Launched in Japan in March 2008, the project builds on Mr Blair’s international climate change leadership while in office.  The Climate Group, through its core network of members and partners, facilitates research and engagement with key global stakeholders in industry, academia and government.  A distinguished group of international climate change experts provide technical, policy and scientific advice to the project.

In June 2008 the initiative launched its first report, ‘ A Global Deal for Our Low Carbon Future’.This report (report 1) identified 10 key building blocks for a post-2012 agreement.  A series of 14 supporting briefing papers were subsequently released in July 2008, supported by a webinar series in September 2008.  Further research and policy papers are planned for release in the first half of 2009. 

Background to the initiative

The Breaking the Climate Deadlock initiative works to directly support the UN climate change negotiations, through Mr Blair’s high-level engagement and advocacy (such as through the G8) and the production and dissemination of expert reports and briefing papers on the key issues shaping international discussions.

It aims to build decisive political support among the key players - US, EU, China, India, Japan and Russia - for a new international agreement on climate change and for the strategies for its subsequent implementation that will result in greenhouse gas emission reductions consistent with those advocated by the scientific community. 

Two complementary strategies

In-depth policy analysis and development. A series of reports and briefing papers will seek to bring new clarity around options for a global deal.

They will identify and provide:

• the building blocks of an international framework acceptable to the major emitting countries

• implementation strategies that will generate significant emissions reductions in major emitting sectors

• detailed economic analysis demonstrating the economic impacts and investment needs of the framework and strategies

High-level advocacy and engagement. Mr Blair and The °Climate Group will lead a multi-year engagement to secure the support of political, business and NGO leaders, key policymakers and opinion formers.