Structure, agency and local climate governance: how do individual actors exploit local contexts to shape policymaking in smaller cities and towns?

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Haupt, W., Laug, L. and Eckersley, P. ORCID: 0000-0001-9048-8529, 2023. Structure, agency and local climate governance: how do individual actors exploit local contexts to shape policymaking in smaller cities and towns? In: 6th International Conference on Public Policy (ICPP6), Toronto, Canada, 27-29 June 2023.

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Abstract

A growing literature has emphasised how structural factors shape levels of ambition in local climate policy. Specifically, cities that have larger, wealthier, highly-educated and younger populations, are supported by local universities and research institutes and in which civil society organisations and green parties are strong and active, are more likely to be ‘leaders’ in climate mitigation and adaptation (Haupt et al 2022). Conversely, smaller towns, with less wealthy and older populations, which are more reliant on heavy industry and with weaker civil society organisations and green parties, are more likely to be ‘laggards’ (Otto et al 2021; Salvia et al 2021).

Such studies are informative from an academic perspective (because they identify the key factors that contribute towards more ambitious policymaking), and instructive for policymakers (who can pinpoint where additional support and funding schemes may be necessary to ensure that all cities keep pace with the leaders). However, they neglect to take account of agency and the likelihood that individuals in some municipalities can pursue ambitious climate policy despite operating in unfavourable local conditions. At the same time, cities that we might expect to become leaders due to their socioeconomic and political conditions may instead be slower to adopt ambitious policies due to the actions of key individuals in the municipality.

Item Type:

Conference contribution

Creators:

Haupt, W., Laug, L. and Eckersley, P.

Date:

June 2023

Identifiers: