Climate Policy Networks: Emergence, Evolution, and Policy Outcomes I

Abstract

Climate change and extreme weather events across the globe call for major societal responses. With the Paris agreement, countries are supposed to provide nationally determined contributions, and a variety of performance-based mechanisms are encouraged under the agreement. Processes of transformational change within and across policy domains and networks are required to realize effectively, efficiently and equitable emission reductions and increased adaptive capacities. We see new discourses emerging, and new actors entering new policy coalitions, joining efforts to break away from current business as usual pathways. However, barriers and resistance within policy networks towards such changes are also visible. This Panel calls for contributions that analyze climate policy networks and their characteristics to understand the emergence (or lack) of new policies and outcomes to achieve climate goals.