MEV 025: Unit 13 – Response of sub-national government

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 UNIT 13: RESPONSE OF SUBNATIONAL GOVERNMENT

13.1 Introduction

Subnational governments—states, provinces, cities, and municipalities—are becoming critical actors in climate change governance. As climate impacts are often local, responses must be localized and tailored to the specific needs of communities. In many cases, subnational bodies are more agile, innovative, and willing to take action than national governments. This unit examines the evolving role of subnational governments in climate leadership, their alignment with international agreements, and the strategic actions of local political champions, networks, and policy entrepreneurs in combating climate change.

13.2 Objectives

After studying this unit, you should be able to:

  • Understand the importance of subnational governments in climate governance.
  • Explain how subnational goals align with national and global climate commitments.
  • Identify prominent political champions who lead climate action at the local level.
  • Recognize the role of global climate networks in supporting local sustainability efforts.
  • Describe the strategic actions of policy entrepreneurs in advancing climate agendas.
  • Explore a behavioral model explaining drivers and barriers in subnational climate action.

13.3 Setting the Context

Subnational governments are on the front lines of climate impacts and responses. They possess jurisdiction over key sectors such as transportation, urban planning, and waste management, making them vital players in mitigation and adaptation strategies. Moreover, local authorities often have a stronger connection with communities and are thus better positioned to implement people-centric and region-specific climate policies.

13.3.1 Potential Role of Subnational Governments

  • Implementing renewable energy, green infrastructure, and public transport projects.
  • Developing and enforcing local climate policies and building codes.
  • Mobilizing community-based adaptation and awareness campaigns.
  • Promoting sustainable land use and disaster resilience strategies.
  • Serving as laboratories for policy innovation and experimentation.

13.4 Aligning Subnational Goals with National and International Commitments

Subnational actors must align their climate strategies with broader national and international frameworks for coherence and impact. Effective alignment ensures that local actions contribute to global emission reduction targets.

13.4.1 Subnational Global Climate Leadership

  • Cities and states have pledged carbon neutrality targets and created their own climate action plans.
  • Local leadership fosters experimentation and sets examples for national policies.
  • Subnational action demonstrates political will and urgency even when national commitments lag.

13.4.2 The Paris Agreement, 2015

  • Though the agreement is between nation-states, Article 7 and Article 11 encourage the role of non-state actors, including subnational governments.
  • Initiatives such as the Non-State Actor Zone for Climate Action (NAZCA) platform track subnational contributions.
  • Subnational bodies play a key role in implementing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

13.5 Political Champions as Proactive Agents of Change: Empirical Evidences

Individual leaders have a catalytic effect on local climate action. Their vision, political will, and strategic choices often accelerate change and inspire broader participation.

13.5.1 Peter Vadasz (Austria)

  • Mayor of Güssing, transformed a declining town into a renewable energy hub.
  • Invested in biomass, solar energy, and community-led energy production.
  • Güssing became energy self-sufficient and a global model of local green transformation.

13.5.2 Maurizio Caranza (Italy)

  • Mayor of a small town in Italy that implemented sustainable urban transport and green spaces.
  • Promoted energy-efficient housing and eco-tourism to revitalize the local economy.

13.5.3 RangaswamyShanmugam (India)

  • Leader in Tamil Nadu who promoted rainwater harvesting, afforestation, and low-cost solar energy.
  • Mobilized women’s self-help groups for environmental awareness campaigns.

13.6 Climate Networks and Subnational Sustainability

Transnational climate networks support cities and regions by sharing knowledge, facilitating funding, and advocating for subnational interests in global forums.

13.6.1 The Mexican City Pact

  • Encourages Latin American cities to commit to measurable climate actions.
  • Promotes transparency, tracking, and collaboration between cities.

13.6.2 Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI)

  • A global network of more than 2,500 local and regional governments.
  • Provides technical support, capacity building, and policy tools for urban climate action.

13.6.3 C40 Cities

  • A group of 96 major cities committed to reducing emissions and promoting climate resilience.
  • Focus areas: clean air, energy, buildings, transport, and waste.

13.6.4 Governors’ Climate and Forests Task Force (GCFTF)

  • A subnational collaboration to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+).
  • Active in tropical forest regions across multiple countries.

13.6.5 Under 2 Coalition

  • Over 270 governments committed to keeping global temperature rise below 2°C.
  • States and regions pledge to reduce GHG emissions consistent with Paris targets.

13.6.6 Action on Climate Today (ACT)

  • A regional program supporting climate resilience in South Asia.
  • Focuses on mainstreaming climate considerations into governance and planning.

13.7 Policy Entrepreneurs in Climate Action

Policy entrepreneurs are individuals or institutions that champion innovation and systemic change in public policy.

13.7.1 Strategic Activities

  • Identify gaps in climate governance and design strategic interventions.

13.7.2 Advocacy

  • Mobilize public opinion, stakeholders, and media in support of climate initiatives.

13.7.3 Networking

  • Build coalitions with other cities, NGOs, academia, and private sectors.

13.7.4 Idea Generation

  • Introduce creative solutions such as green bonds, eco-zoning, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

13.7.5 Lobbying

  • Influence legislative and budgetary decisions at higher levels of government.

13.7.6 Problem Framing

  • Reframe climate issues in ways that resonate with local priorities (e.g., jobs, health, energy security).

13.7.7 Opportunity Seizing

  • Utilize crises (floods, droughts) as policy windows to introduce reform.

13.8 A General Behavioural Model towards Combating Climate Change

To understand how subnational actors respond to climate change, we must consider behavioral drivers and institutional conditions.

13.8.1 Motivation

  • Political will, civic responsibility, and reputational benefits drive action.

13.8.2 Power

  • Legal mandates and decentralization influence local government capacity to act.

13.8.3 Capacity

  • Technical expertise, financial resources, and institutional support are crucial.

13.8.4 Incentives

  • National or international funding, recognition, and co-benefits like job creation provide motivation.

13.8.5 Constraints

  • Limited autonomy, insufficient funding, political opposition, or lack of data hinder progress.

13.9 Let Us Sum Up

  • Subnational governments play an essential role in global climate governance through localized actions.
  • Their efforts often surpass national commitments in ambition and innovation.
  • Political champions, policy entrepreneurs, and transnational networks enable effective subnational climate leadership.
  • Alignment with global agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, ensures coherence.
  • A behavioral model helps explain the motivations and constraints shaping local climate responses.

13.10 Keywords

  1. Subnational Government – A regional or local governmental authority below the national level.
  2. Climate Governance – The processes and structures through which societies manage climate risks.
  3. Political Champion – A leader who drives environmental innovation and climate policy at the local level.
  4. Transnational Climate Networks – Cross-border partnerships supporting local climate action.
  5. ICLEI – An international network promoting sustainable urban development.
  6. Policy Entrepreneur – An actor who introduces and advocates for new policy solutions.
  7. Under 2 Coalition – A global pact to limit temperature rise to below 2°C.
  8. Motivation – The internal or external factors that drive action.
  9. Capacity – Resources and capabilities needed to implement climate strategies.
  10. Opportunity Seizing – Leveraging critical moments to initiate change.

 

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