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The growing influence of the UNFCCC Secretariat on the clean development mechanism

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  • Katharina Michaelowa

    (University of Zurich)

  • Axel Michaelowa

    (University of Zurich)

Abstract

Using principal–agent theory, we explain the effect of an exogenous increase in financial resources on the autonomy of international bureaucracies. This can be empirically demonstrated at the example of the unexpectedly large inflow of fees for the registration of clean development mechanism (CDM) projects and issuance of emission credits on the political influence of staff in the UNFCCC Secretariat. Through document analysis, interviews and econometric analysis, we show that CDM staff was able to gain substantial influence over concrete policy decisions and even change the structure of relevant decision-making and consultation processes. We also show that this may reinforce rather than reduce the role of special interests expressed via country representatives in the CDM Executive Board. While one might be worried about the erosion of democratic principles at the international level, from a normative perspective, the overall effect is difficult to assess. If the international civil service is competent and committed to the delivery of the global public good, its increasing autonomy and influence may also be socially advantageous.

Suggested Citation

  • Katharina Michaelowa & Axel Michaelowa, 2017. "The growing influence of the UNFCCC Secretariat on the clean development mechanism," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 17(2), pages 247-269, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ieaple:v:17:y:2017:i:2:d:10.1007_s10784-016-9319-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10784-016-9319-8
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    Cited by:

    1. Thomas Hickmann & Joshua Philipp Elsässer, 0. "New alliances in global environmental governance: how intergovernmental treaty secretariats interact with non-state actors to address transboundary environmental problems," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 0, pages 1-23.
    2. Hui Chen & Peter Letmathe & Naomi Soderstrom, 2021. "Reporting Bias and Monitoring in Clean Development Mechanism Projects," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 38(1), pages 7-31, March.
    3. Klaus H. Goetz & Ronny Patz & Eugénia Heldt & Henning Schmidtke, 2017. "Measuring the Empowerment of International Organizations: The Evolution of Financial and Staff Capabilities," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 8(s5), pages 51-61, August.
    4. Hanna-Mari Ahonen & Juliana Kessler & Axel Michaelowa & Aglaja Espelage & Stephan Hoch, 2022. "Governance of Fragmented Compliance and Voluntary Carbon Markets Under the Paris Agreement," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 10(1), pages 235-245.
    5. Thomas Hickmann & Joshua Philipp Elsässer, 2020. "New alliances in global environmental governance: how intergovernmental treaty secretariats interact with non-state actors to address transboundary environmental problems," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 20(3), pages 459-481, September.
    6. repec:bla:glopol:v:8:y:2017:i::p:51-61 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. Barbara Saerbeck & Mareike Well & Helge Jörgens & Alexandra Goritz & Nina Kolleck, 2020. "Brokering Climate Action: The UNFCCC Secretariat Between Parties and Nonparty Stakeholders," Global Environmental Politics, MIT Press, vol. 20(2), pages 105-127, May.
    8. repec:bla:glopol:v:8:y:2017:i::p:75-84 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Klaus H. Goetz & Ronny Patz & Jörn Ege & Michael W. Bauer, 2017. "How Financial Resources Affect the Autonomy of International Public Administrations," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 8(s5), pages 75-84, August.
    10. Thomas Gehring & Linda Spielmann, 2023. "The treaty management organization established under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement: an international actor in its own right?," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 23(3), pages 235-252, September.

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