Focusing on climate change policy after the first Kyoto commitment period ending in 2012, this special issue examines long-term strategy and the implications for stakeholders and the environment. International experts offer detailed policy analysis and review the links between policy and economics, sustainable development, technology and adaptation. An invaluable and insightful source of information on long-term thinking on climate change, this special issue of Climate Policy addresses the following key questions: What long-term range of policies for climate change adaptation and mitigation should Europe pursue to adequately enhance sustainability on a global level? What are the implications of long-term European climate strategy for the design of a global post-2012 climate regime? What are the key concerns of different stakeholders and how will these concerns impact on long-term climate policy?These questions were discussed during two workshops, commissioned by the European Forum on Integrated Environmental Assessment (EFIEA) and jointly organized by the National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), The Netherlands and the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Resear publication in this special issue. The special issue also includes introductory and concluding remarks from the guest editors, highlighting key points and offering an expert synthesis of the workshop discussions.Climate Policy Options Post-2012 offers a synthesis of expert thinking on long-term climate policy, addressing points such as: EU institutional and coalition development on climate change strategy, the importance of setting a diverse range of targets and commitments, retaining other features such as the flexible mechanisms, assessing costs and competitiveness, dealing with policy dilemmas and creating coherence in policy issues, and the need to strengthen strategic research, boost technological change, pay more attention to impacts and adaptation to enhance support for mitigation, develop a long-term vision and link this to short term action and managing of change.