Unveiling the role of Transnational Municipal Networks in the Climate Regime

Growing disillusionment with state-led climate action has thrust cities into the spotlight as pivotal players in the fight against climate change. Within urban climate politics, Transnational Municipal Networks (TMNs) have emerged as influential actors, shaping discourse and actions at the subnational level, serving as primary platforms for city engagement in transnational politics. Despite their significance, current understanding of TMNs is hindered by a lack of differentiation and a limited exploration of their multifaceted roles within the broader climate regime. Moreover, the proliferation of such networks is evident, with some studies indicating the existence of over 26 environmental urban networks. The reasons behind the proliferation and the intricate interactions among these networks remain puzzling. This research endeavors to unravel the complexities surrounding TMNs, addressing the puzzle of their proliferation and elucidating their interactions within the global climate governance landscape. Thus the broad questions central in this paper is why are there multiple TMNs, how to they interact with one another, and how do they fit in the broader climate regime? While previous research has been interested in related questions, this paper distinguishes itself by focusing exclusively on international and transnational networks related to the environment, and delving into the intricate relationships between TMNs and other International Organizations (IOs), emphasizing depth over breadth. This paper will focus on examining 20 environmental TMNs including C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40), United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), Energy Cities, Compact of Mayors, ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, 100 Resilient Cities (100RC), and Metropolis. Employing a comprehensive coding approach, the study maps membership of each TMN, codes roles and governance functions, investigates stringency and enforcement mechanisms, and explores coordination with other IOs and private actors. Additionally, the study examines topic scope, examining whether the TMN is generalist or thematic-oriented. By unpacking the intricacies of TMNs and examining their overlap, this study contributes valuable insights into the evolving landscape of urban climate politics, offering a nuanced understanding of how these networks shape and are shaped by the broader global climate regime.