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The Paris agreement and key actors’ domestic climate policy mixes: comparative patterns

Author

Listed:
  • Jon Birger Skjærseth

    (The Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI))

  • Steinar Andresen

    (The Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI))

  • Guri Bang

    (Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) and CICERO)

  • Gørild M. Heggelund

    (The Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI))

Abstract

This article examines two important conditions for achieving the Paris Agreement’s (PA) ambitious goals. The first is the actions of the largest emitters—China, the European Union (EU) and the USA whose combined share of global emissions is near 50%. The second condition is the bottom–up design of the PA itself. Drawing on the policy mix literature and comparison of the three major emitters examined in this special feature (see Bang, Heggelund and Skjærseth), we first conclude that the EU has the most ambitious climate targets and policy mixes needed for achieving net zero emissions. Second, the PA has contributed to more ambitious targets and policy mixes mainly in the EU but also in China. Ambitious EU actors have actively invoked the PA goals to further their interests and legalize the Agreement’s dynamic five-year cycles. With Biden as president the USA will again be a party to the PA and is set to join the EU and China in upgrading ambitions. Looking towards the future, the USA and particularly China will have to, in one way or another, to follow the EU if net zero emissions are to be achieved. This may necessitate actual EU leadership by example.

Suggested Citation

  • Jon Birger Skjærseth & Steinar Andresen & Guri Bang & Gørild M. Heggelund, 2021. "The Paris agreement and key actors’ domestic climate policy mixes: comparative patterns," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 59-73, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ieaple:v:21:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s10784-021-09531-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s10784-021-09531-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Joshua W. Busby & Johannes Urpelainen, 2020. "Following the Leaders? How to Restore Progress in Global Climate Governance," Global Environmental Politics, MIT Press, vol. 20(4), pages 99-121, Autumn.
    2. Steinar Andresen & Jon Birger Skjærseth & Torbjørg Jevnaker & Jørgen Wettestad, 2016. "The Paris Agreement: Consequences for the EU and Carbon Markets?," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 4(3), pages 188-196.
    3. Guri Bang & Jon Hovi & Tora Skodvin, 2016. "The Paris Agreement: Short-Term and Long-Term Effectiveness," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 4(3), pages 209-218.
    4. Young, Oran R., 1991. "Political leadership and regime formation: on the development of institutions in international society," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 45(3), pages 281-308, July.
    5. Tora Skodvin & Steinar Andresen, 2006. "Leadership Revisited," Global Environmental Politics, MIT Press, vol. 6(3), pages 13-27, August.
    6. Peter H. Egger & Guangzhong Li & Jie Li, 2019. "Introduction to the special issue on China," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(4), pages 1001-1001, September.
    7. Gørild Heggelund & Iselin Stensdal & Maosheng Duan & Jørgen Wettestad, 2019. "China’s Development of ETS as a GHG Mitigating Policy Tool: A Case of Policy Diffusion or Domestic Drivers?," Review of Policy Research, Policy Studies Organization, vol. 36(2), pages 168-194, March.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Iselin Stensdal & Gørild Heggelund, 2023. "Changes in China’s climate justice perceptions: domestic and international consequences," Asia Europe Journal, Springer, vol. 21(3), pages 459-480, September.

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