Multi-level climate governance: Strategic selectivities in international politics

Abstract

This chapter deals with the challenge of policy definition, cooperation and coordination in a complex system of multi-level governance faced by decision-makers in international politics today, using the example of international climate governance. The practical, as well as the analytical challenge, of said system of multi-level governance lies in its dynamic structure, which includes the vertical (i.e. domestic and foreign; subnational, national, and international) and horizontal levels (structure of decision-making processes in international institutions) of international politics, the participation of non-state actors, and the inter-linkages and interdependencies between all policy fields and levels involved. More often than not, intentions and interests on the different levels are disparate and difficult to harmonise, which can result in less than ideal policy strategies, are likely to “get lost” in the multi-level governance system. International climate governance and the difficulties with institutionalising an all-encompassing climate protection strategy can be seen as an example of a policy field that is “lost in multi-level governance.” This will be illustrated in the following chapter by analysing five dimensions of climate governance and how they hamper successful climate governance—and thus climate protection—at the international level.