New development: Climate consulting and the transformation of climate governance

Abstract

The shift from market-based to state-co-ordinated forms of climate governance has been accompanied by an expansion of governments’ use of private sector management consultants in climate policy. This article draws together distinct literatures on consulting and climate governance to discuss the emerging phenomenon of climate consulting. First, the authors explore the types of actors involved in climate consulting, and the scale and scope of their activities, with a focus on the public sector. Second, the authors critically examine key sources of growth of climate consulting, related to broader transformations in public sector organizations, the nature of climate change as a governance challenge, and consultancies’ own strategies. Third, the implications of the rise of climate consulting for governments’ climate policy space, policy knowledge, and for the consulting industry itself are discussed. Finally, suggestions are made for for future research.