International Political Theory of the Climate Crisis

Climate change is increasingly perceived not only as a long-term challenge for humanity, but as an acute crisis. This change in perception has considerable consequences, not only for the domestic politics of democratic societies, but also for inter- and transnational politics. Combating and mitigating climate change can only be effective, just and legitimate through global cooperation. At the same time, the conflicts it causes worsens the conditions for it to happen. The perception that the world is in a concrete crisis brings movement into this messy situation. On the one hand, crises generate new evaluative standards that require immediate and far-reaching responses from states and international institutions alike if they want to maintain their sovereignty and legitimacy. On the other hand, crises provide potent justifications for fundamental reforms and interventions – from above and from below – for which the political mandate would be lacking under normal conditions. This Section explores the impact of the climate crisis on fundamental questions of international political theory. What does climate change mean, for example, for the rights of refugees and migrants, questions of global inequality or the conditions of the justified use of military force? Second, we consider what a crisis that threatens the very existence of humanity implies for the organization of the international system. Are there new forms of international cooperation, such as climate clubs, that should take the place of existing institutions? What role can and should transnational protests, civil society networks and strategic climate litigation play in shaping climate policy? And how does our understanding of sovereignty change in a world where cooperation becomes a question of collective survival? These are some of the questions we will explore in the following Panels: 1. Human Rights and Climate Change Chair: Jelena Belic, Leiden 2. The Climate Crisis as a Challenge for the Legitimacy of the International Order Chair: Cord Schmelzle, Frankfurt 3. Climate Mobilities & the Global Climate Regime: Rights, Justice, Policy, and Governance Chair: Simona Capisani, Durham 4. Climate Crisis in Democratic Theory – Normative Perspectives on Climate Litigation Chair: Svenja Ahlhaus, Münster 5. Global Climate Activism: Its Legitimacy and Convenience Chair: Gianfranco Pellegrino, LUISS, Rome This Section also invites additional proposals for Panels and Papers.