Why do some climate policies work in one country but fail in another? WRI’s experts explain the political economy of climate action: factors that shape behavior, power dynamics in decision-making and more.

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About The Event

As global temperatures rise and unprecedented droughts intensify, pressure is mounting on countries to move beyond making climate commitments to translating their pledges into effective action. But achieving the Paris Agreement will require more than technological breakthroughs, like new carbon capture and storage innovations, drought resistant crops and geoengineering. Governments must also tackle daunting political challenges: navigating powerful, competing interests to pass binding legislation, strengthening public institutions’ capacity to implement these policies, directing scarce resources towards mitigation and adaptation programs, as well as shoring up broad-based political support to sustain ambitious climate action across election cycles.

But what obstacles stand in the way of policymakers? What factors drive political behavior and enable successful implementation of climate policies? Who has vested interest in maintaining the status quo, and who has the power to influence decision-making?

Join experts from WRI’s Climate Program and Governance Center for a conversation on the political economy of climate action. Together, they will draw on real-world examples, from Kenya to Bangladesh, to identify potential coalitions for reform, sources of opposition, as well as laws and institutions that can help accelerate progress towards limiting warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius.

Speakers

Mark RobinsonGlobal Director, Governance, World Resources Institute

Eliza Northrop, Associate II, International Climate Initiative, World Resources Institute

Jesse Worker, Associate II, Environmental Democracy Practice, World Resources Institute

Juan-Carlos Altamirano, Economist, World Resources Institute

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About the Series

WRI’s Greening Governance Seminar Series explores how good governance – inclusive, transparent decision-making processes, equal access to justice, strong institutions and a vibrant civil society – not only help policymakers advance more effective, equitable policies, but also implement ambitious commitments like the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals.

Greening Governance seminars bring diverse panels of experts together to grapple with tough questions and identify successful strategies at the intersection of governance, environmental sustainability and human well-being. Interested in attending or watching remotely? Subscribe to our Greening Governance newsletter and follow us on Twitter to stay updated on upcoming events.