The future is local? Contextualizing municipal agendas on climate change in Chile

Abstract

Social science literature on the political strategies used to mitigate and adapt to climate change has discussed the possibilities of local administrations and the multifaceted obstacles in their path. This case study looks at Chile, where debates about local climate agendas and policies have gained political relevance in recent years. It considers municipal administrations, with a focus on their agendas and the (potential) challenges they face. Building on the evaluation of literature, policy documents, and semi-structured interviews, the study concludes that local administrations have gained leeway for action due to changes in national regulation and integration into wider networks, but tight budgets for dedicated climate policies persist. The governance structures in which local climate agendas are embedded, as well as contextual constraints, reflect Chile’s institutional and neoliberal politeconomic arrangements.