Climate ambition and sustainable development for a new decade: A catalytic framework

Sander Chan*, Idil Boran, Harro van Asselt, Paula Ellinger, Miriam Garcia, Thomas Hale, Lukas Hermwille, Kennedy Liti Mbeva, Ayşem Mert, Charles B. Roger, Amy Weinfurter, Oscar Widerberg, Paulette Bynoe, Victoria Chengo, Ayman Cherkaoui, Todd Edwards, Malin Gütschow, Angel Hsu, Nathan Hultman, David LevaïSaffran Mihnar, Sara Posa, Mark Roelfsema, Bryce Rudyk, Michelle Scobie, Manish Kumar Shrivastava

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

This paper examines the Global Climate Action Agenda (GCAA) and discusses options to improve sub- and non-state involvement in post-2020 climate governance. A framework that stimulates sub- and non-state action is a necessary complement to national governmental action, as the latter falls short of achieving low-carbon and climate-resilient development as envisaged in the Paris Agreement. Applying design principles for an ideal-type orchestration framework, we review literature and gather expert judgements to assess whether the GCAA has been collaborative, comprehensive, evaluative and catalytic. Results show that there has been greater coordination among orchestrators, for instance in the organization of events. However, mobilization efforts remain event-driven and too little effort is invested in understanding the progress of sub- and non-state action. Data collection has improved, although more sophisticated indicators are needed to evaluate climate and sustainable development impacts. Finally, the GCAA has recorded more action, but relatively little by actors in developing countries. As the world seeks to recover from the COVID-19 crisis and enters a new decade of climate action, the GCAA could make a vital contribution in challenging times by helping governments keep and enhance climate commitments; strengthening capacity for sub- and non-state action; enabling accountability; and realizing sustainable development.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)245-259
Number of pages15
JournalGlobal Policy
Volume12
Issue number3
Early online date6 Apr 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This article benefited from a transdisciplinary discussion that involved researchers and practitioners from both developed and developing countries and was organized by the ‘Klimalog’ research and dialogue project for a climate smart and just transformation at the German Development Institute/Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE), supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The discussion was held together with ‘Galvanizing the Groundswell of Climate Actions’ – a series of open dialogues that aims to bring the groundswell of climate actions from cities, regions, companies and other groups to a higher level of scale and ambition; York University (Canada); and the University of São Paulo.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Authors. Global Policy published by Durham University and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Copyright:
Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Funding

This article benefited from a transdisciplinary discussion that involved researchers and practitioners from both developed and developing countries and was organized by the ‘Klimalog’ research and dialogue project for a climate smart and just transformation at the German Development Institute/Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE), supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The discussion was held together with ‘Galvanizing the Groundswell of Climate Actions’ – a series of open dialogues that aims to bring the groundswell of climate actions from cities, regions, companies and other groups to a higher level of scale and ambition; York University (Canada); and the University of São Paulo.

FundersFunder number
German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
Institut für Entwicklungspolitik
Bundesministerium für Wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung

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