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Repositioning urban governments? Energy efficiency and Australia’s changing climate and energy governance regimes

Author

Listed:
  • Pauline McGuirk

    (University of Newcastle, Australia)

  • Robyn Dowling

    (Macquarie University, Australia)

  • Harriet Bulkeley

    (University of Durham, UK)

Abstract

Urban local governments are important players in climate governance, and their roles are evolving. This review traces the changing nexus of Australia’s climate policy, energy policy and energy efficiency imperatives and its repositioning of urban local governments. We characterise the ways urban local governments’ capacities and capabilities are being mobilised in light of a changing multi-level political opportunity structure around energy efficiency. The shifts we observe not only extend local governments’ role in implementing climate change responses but also engage them as partners in conceiving and operationalising new measures, suggesting new ground is being opened in the urban politics of climate governance. A review of the Australian context provides important insights for the new politics of energy in the city as, internationally, energy efficiency is reframed as a climate change issue and the city is repositioned as an important strategic space in energy politics and the governance of energy systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Pauline McGuirk & Robyn Dowling & Harriet Bulkeley, 2014. "Repositioning urban governments? Energy efficiency and Australia’s changing climate and energy governance regimes," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 51(13), pages 2717-2734, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:51:y:2014:i:13:p:2717-2734
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098014533732
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Beau Warbroek & Thomas Hoppe, 2017. "Modes of Governing and Policy of Local and Regional Governments Supporting Local Low-Carbon Energy Initiatives; Exploring the Cases of the Dutch Regions of Overijssel and Fryslân," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-36, January.
    3. Stefano Moroni & Valentina Antoniucci & Adriano Bisello, 2019. "Local Energy Communities and Distributed Generation: Contrasting Perspectives, and Inevitable Policy Trade-Offs, beyond the Apparent Global Consensus," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-16, June.
    4. Veronica Alejandra Neumann & Jochen Hack, 2019. "A Methodology of Policy Assessment at the Municipal Level: Costa Rica´s Readiness for the Implementation of Nature-Based-Solutions for Urban Stormwater Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-38, December.
    5. Castán Broto, Vanesa, 2017. "Urban Governance and the Politics of Climate change," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 1-15.
    6. Jonas Torrens & Phillip Johnstone & Johan Schot, 2018. "Unpacking the Formation of Favourable Environments for Urban Experimentation: The Case of the Bristol Energy Scene," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-28, March.

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