The Show Must Go On? Revisiting the Script of International Climate Cooperation Ten Years After Paris

The Script of the Science–Policy Interface: Performative Routines in Climate Politics

The urgency of political action to safeguard against anthropogenic climate change is widely acknowledged. Much of this urgency stems from environmental scientists’ projections that have consistently shown dire future risks. A key part in providing such projections with political legitimacy is institutional “science–policy interface” (SPI) arrangements, which influence the ways in which environmental knowledge is produced and the ways in which political actors respond. In this contribution, building on the scholarship on the interaction between scientific knowledge and policy, we investigate the “script” of the SPI and its implicit rules. We identify seven wellestablished performative routines that most actors adhere to, often implicitly. Drawing on the literature on the coproduction of knowledge and governmentality, we investigate this script as a technology of governance. On the basis of secondary analysis of academic literature, prior interviews, document analysis, and autoethnographic observations, we show how these routines are upheld and challenged.

Role of the 2015 Paris Agreement in Tackling Climate Change: An Overview

The 2015 Paris Agreement, which established a global legal framework to confront the escalating difficulties of climate change, is a significant accomplishment in international climate governance. This article analyzes the legal underpinnings, institutional processes, implementation tactics, and global relevance of the Paris Agreement in order to investigate its role in reducing climate change. It examines the main goal of the Agreement, which is to keep global average temperature growth well below 2°C over pre-industrial levels while working to keep warming to 1.5°C. The system of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the transparency framework, the Global Stocktake, climate finance, technology transfer and capacity-building initiatives, all of which together foster global collaboration and accountability are given special attention. The article also assesses the Agreement's successes in promoting broad participation and bolstering national climate policies, but it also highlights enduring issues, such as the lack of legally binding emission targets, uneven implementation, insufficient financial support for developing nations, and insufficient commitments to reduce emissions. The study examines pertinent international legal instruments, academic literature, reports from international organizations, and judicial developments using a doctrinal and analytical research technique. The results indicate that while the Paris Agreement has greatly changed global climate governance by encouraging progressive and cooperative climate action, its long-term efficacy ultimately depends on increased international solidarity, stronger NDC implementation, increased political commitment, and increased climate finance. According to the article's conclusion, the Paris Agreement continues to be the cornerstone of the current international climate change regime and offers a dynamic framework that can direct collective efforts toward sustainable development and climate resilience, so long as States maintain their commitment to accelerate decarburization and fulfill their obligations under the Agreement.

ENVIRONMENTAL FEDERALISM AND CLIMATE GOVERNANCE IN

Decentralization of climate governance in Pakistan: Exploring a polycentric approach

Climate change is a transnational problem, that requires localized collective actions. Compared to China and the US which contributes 27% and 11% to global carbon emissions, respectively, Pakistan contributes less than 1% but is among the top ten most vulnerable countries to climate catastrophes. These threats are further escalated by the country’s highly centralized governance structure. These study focuses on the decentralization of climate policies in Pakistan, followed by a polycentric governance system, and highlights its importance in responding to the dynamic nature of climate change in the country. Grounded in Polycentric Governance Theory, a qualitative, deductive research design way employed, relying on primary and secondary data sources. The study reveals that after the 18th amendment in Pakistan, the responsibility related to climate policies has increased on the subnational government; however, its effect remains limited due to constant economic constraints, weak coordination among different governmental bodies, and dependency on international climate finance. This demonstrates that polycentric governance offers a commendable framework for making strong climate responses by involving local actors and providing region-specific solutions. This study concluded policymakers might prioritize intergovernmental coordination, expand subnational budget capacity and use carbon sinking mechanisms as a major tool for reducing climate change impacts.

Strategic visions of local governments in combating the climate crisis: a descriptive study on Türkiye and the EU

The climate crisis, one of the most urgent global challenges of the 21st century, has profound environmental, economic, social, and political consequences. Cities, as the primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions, are central to both mitigation and adaptation strategies. This study examines the role of local governments in combating climate change through a descriptive analysis of policy documents from municipalities in Türkiye and the European Union. Rather than focusing on on-the-ground implementations, the research analyzes strategic visions and official climate action plans to highlight three critical functions of local governments: implementing climate policies, regulating urban development, and fostering citizen participation. Findings reveal that while Turkish municipalities—such as Istanbul with its Climate Vision 2050 and Izmir with its SECAP plan—have made notable progress, they continue to face challenges related to financing, centralization, and limited public engagement. In contrast, EU municipalities benefit from stronger institutional structures, diversified funding mechanisms, and robust citizen participation. The comparative analysis suggests that Türkiye can strengthen its climate governance by expanding international cooperation, diversifying financial resources, and enhancing participatory mechanisms. The study emphasizes that local governments are indispensable actors in building resilient and sustainable cities, and that their proactive participation is vital for achieving national and global climate goals.

From Policy to Practice: Environmental Resilience, Climate Adaptation and Governance In Developing Countries A Case Study of Malawi

There is a frustrating paradox at the heart of the global climate conversation. The nations that contributed almost nothing to the atmospheric conditions now threatening the planet are the ones absorbing the sharpest consequences. Malawi is a landlocked Southern African country of roughly 22 million people and it sits squarely inside that paradox. Season after season, communities face droughts that kill harvests, floods that erase infrastructure, and a degree of climate unpredictability that makes even basic livelihood planning feel like a gamble. This article examines the persistent gap between environmental resilience policy or what climate policy promises, and community-level protection in Malawi, situating the country’s experience within the broader structural inequities of the global climate system. Drawing on national policy documents, international climate assessments, field experience in community resilience programming, and the UNITAR framework on integrating poverty, environment, and development planning, it argues that closing this gap is fundamentally a governance challenge: a question of whether the planning systems, financing mechanisms, communication infrastructure, institutions, and monitoring frameworks of a country are genuinely aligned around the outcomes it says it wants to achieve. The article reviews Malawi’s policy architecture, identifies the structural barriers to implementation, draws comparative lessons from Kenya, Bangladesh, and Nepal, and sets out actionable recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and international partners working to translate climate commitments into lived resilience.