Role of Governance in Addressing Climate Change

Talal Abu-Ghazaleh

In our hyper-connected world, the effective participation in global governance has become more important than ever. With countries struggling with complex challenges, such as climate change, pandemics, economic inequality, and security threats, the need to have global, cooperative, and comprehensive governance has become more dire than any time before.

The term global governance refers to the collective effort made by countries, international organizations, and non-governmental actors to address global issues that transcend national borders. It plays a pivotal role in shaping the policies, regulations, and standards that effect a wide range of areas, starting from trade and environment protection to peace and security.
Because many of today’s challenges are broad and very complex that no country can address on its own, global governance provides a framework for countries to work together to find solutions to issues such as climate change, pandemics, and denuclearization. The effective global governance, moreover, helps, like the UN, to prevent conflicts and maintain international peace and security. It also provides mechanisms for diplomatic solution of conflicts and collective security efforts.

What is more important in the meantime is that governance is the main focus in addressing climate change, which is a multifaceted endeavor that extends to the international, national, and local levels. It includes cooperation, policy formulation, regulation, and accountability mechanisms because it is necessary to deal effectively with the complexities of climate management to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change, build a sustainable future, and protect the planet for the coming generations.

I believe that the effective management of climate also requires inclusivity and looking into the issues of social justice, as the poorer populations withstand the impacts of climate change, although they are, in many cases, less responsible for greenhouse emissions. Fair governance guarantees that climate policies do not exacerbate the existing aspects of injustice and that they enhance equality and inclusivity.

Thus, the climate change management includes in essence developing and implementing policies, regulations, and strategies at the local, national, and international levels to control greenhouse emissions and build the capacity to adapt with the impacts of climate change. This requires coordination between governments, corporations, civil society, and individuals to achieve meaningful results.

On the international scene, agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, constitute decisive milestones in climate management, as they set global goals to reduce emissions and provide a framework for countries to cooperate and hold each other accountable. The effective management of such agreements, however, requires diplomatic negotiations, transparency, and mechanisms to monitor and report progress.

More importantly at the international level, governments are responsible for translating the international commitments into enforceable policies. This involves setting emissions reduction targets, stimulating transition to clean energy, and implementing regulations to reduce emissions from sectors such as transportation, energy, and agriculture. The robust climate management also includes enhancing innovation and supporting vulnerable communities that are affected disproportionately by climate change.

I believe that local governance is no less important, as cities and regions are often on the front lines of climate impacts, as I have made clear repeatedly in my capacity as President of the New York-based Consortium of Sustainable Urbanization. Local governments can work on enhancing sustainable urban planning, public transportation, and green infrastructure, which not only reduces emissions, but also improves the quality of life and resilience.

Although climate management involves challenges that may hinder progress, such as hesitant political will, conflict of private interests, and short-term economic considerations, there is an urgent need for action, rapid decision-making, and implementation.