The global warming presents an excellent area for leadership analysis for it encompasses a global issue with the involvement of every global leader of almost every nation.
Andreson S. and Agrawala S. (2002) agree that Idea-based and Structural leadership was evident during initial Global Warming discussions.
Young O. (1991) states “Intellectual leadership plays an important role in determining the success or failure to reach agreement.”
This was evident when the international scientist community with the climate research data built over decades with political and environmental activists triggered the United Nations to consider forming a panel to tackle the global issue. However, it lost dominance during the negotiation phase on international commitments against Structural leadership.
Young O. (1991) states that the essential feature of Structural leadership, “lies in the ability to translate structural power into bargaining leverage”
This form of leadership was best displayed by the United States during the negotiation phase which finally led to flexibility in the protocol agreements.
Additionally Andresen S. and Agrawala S. (2002) quoted Individual leadership “two individuals in particular stand out as important in getting the Kyoto Protocol adopted: US Vice President Al Gore, and the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole (COW) Raoul Estrada-Oyuela”
There was also directional leadership shown by the European Union (EU) when they tried to steer the initial global discussions on climate change. Langtree S. (2012) states that, noting a lack of power in the Rio Summit EU proposed a fifteen percent cut in the greenhouse gas emissions citing its own performances in the sector. However this proposal was thrashed by the US citing economic priorities.
Away from leadership qualities attributed in the subject, the dilemmas associated with it are also of utmost importance as the effects of it...