Global climate warming mitigation efforts are more likely to be successful if they are based on per-capita emissions rather than on complex negotiated emission rights. I propose a path to temperature stabilisation optimised for each country and reaching a common per-capita rate of greenhouse gas emissions by the end of the 21st century. Consistent emission pathways forgiven levels of temperature stabilisation are calculated by use of a simple model that is consistent with the circulation models and data sets surveyed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The allowable emissions are detailed on a regional level and on individual country level. I discuss the merits of this type of approach relative to other policy approaches, as well as some of the objections that may be voiced. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.