Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

The ICLEI Cities for Climate Protection Programme: Local Government Networks in Urban Climate Governance

  • Chapter
Climate Change and Global Policy Regimes

Part of the book series: International Political Economy ((IPES))

Abstract

This chapter looks at the role of transnational local government (LG) networks in urban climate governance, where the term urban includes cities, towns and other metropolitan municipalities. Local authorities are recognised as one of the nine major groups in Agenda 21 and included in the UN Commission of Sustainable Development (UN 2009). LG was officially recognised as a governmental stakeholder at the 2010 COP 16 climate summit and United Nations (UN) meetings now include LG interests in global climate agreements. LGs have been actively engaged in climate change policies since the early 1990s. Cities and other municipal authorities have prepared climate change action plans and strategies addressing local mitigation and adaptation measures. Many LG authorities, particularly cities, are members of national and transnational municipal networks addressing climate change such as International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), The Covenant of Mayors (Europe), US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (USA), and C40 Cities (global megacities). These LG climate networks focus on informing members about best practice methods, learning about climate change issues and representing municipalities at national, continental and international levels and at climate forums. Hence, ‘networking within and across municipal [and national] borders has become commonplace in local and regional climate governance’ (Granberg and Elander 2007: 545).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anguelovski, I. and Carmin, J.A. 2011. Something borrowed, something new: innovation and institutionalization in urban climate governance. Current opinion in environmental sustainability 3 (3), 169–175.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arikan, Y. 2011. Carbonn Cities Climate Registry 2011 annual report: local response to measurable, reportable, verifiable global climate action. Bonn Centre for Local Climate Action and Reporting, http://www.citiesclimateregistry.org/fileadmin/ user_upload/cCCR/cCCR_2011_Annual_Report/cCCR_2011_Annual_Report_ www_lo_20111125.pdf, accessed 19 June 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bäckstrand, K. and Lövbrand, E. 2007. Climate governance beyond 2012: Competing discourses of green governrnentality, ecological modernization and civic environmentalism. In: M. Pettinger, ed. The social construction of cl imate change: power, knowledge, norms, discourses. Aldershot and Burlington, VT: Ashgate, 123–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bassett, E. and Shandas, V. 2010. Innovation and climate action planning: perspectives from municipal plans. Journal of the American planning association, 76 (4), 463–475.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Betsill, M.M. and Bulkeley, H. 2007. Looking back and thinking ahead: a decade of cities and climate change research. Local environment, 12 (5), 447–456.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Betsill, M.M. and Bulkeley, H. 2006. Cities and the multilevel governance of global climate change. Global governance, 12 (2), 141–159.

    Google Scholar 

  • Betsill, M.M. and Bulkeley, H. 2004. Transnational networks and global environmental governance: the Cities for Climate Protection program. International studies quarterly, 48 (2), 471–493.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boswell, M.R., Greve, A.I. and Seale, T.L. 2010. An assessment of the link between greenhouse gas emissions inventories and climate action plans. Journal of the American planning association, 76 (4), 451–461.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouteligier, S. 2011. Inequality in new global governance arrangements: the North South divide in city networks for global environmental governance. In: Inequality in global governance: causes and consequences of unequal representation and decision-making in global governance institutions. Belgium: GRESI/FWO International Workshop, Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies, 8–9 November, www//ghum.kuleuven.be/ggs/events/2011/11_2011/ workshop-8–9nov2011.pdf, accessed 21 June 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bulkeley, H. and Betsill, M. 2005. Rethinking sustainable cities: multilevel governance and the ‘urban’ politics of climate change. Environmental politics, 14 (1), 42–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bulkeley, H. and Betsill, M. 2003. Cities and climate change: urban sustainability and global environmental governance. London: Routledge Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Cadman, T. 2011. Quality and legitimacy of global governance: case lessons from forestry. Basingstoke and New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Carbon Disclosure Project. 2011. CDP cities 2011 global report on C40 Cities. http://www.c40citieslive.squarespace.com/storage/resources/CDP%20Cities %202011%20Global%20Report.pdf, accessed 19 June 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  • —. 2010. Carbon disclosure project: the case for city disclosure. Accenture. Retrieved 19 June 2012, from Carbon Disclosure Project Web site: http://www.cdproject.net.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chavez, A. and Ramaswami, A. 2011. Progress toward low carbon cities: approaches for transboundary GHG emissions’ footprinting. Carbon management, 2 (4), 471–482.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coenen, F. and Menkveld, M. 2002. The role of local authorities in a transition towards a carbon-neutral society. In: M.T.J. Kok, W.J.V. Vermeulen, A.P.C. Faaij and D. de Jager, eds. Global warming and social innovation: the challenge of a climate neutral society. London: Earthscan Publications, 107–125.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corfee-Morlot, J., Kamal-Chaoui, L., Donovan, M., Cochran, I., Robert, A. and Teasdale, J. 2009. Cities, climate change and multilevel governance, OECD Environmental Working Papers No. 14. Paris: OECD Publishing.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • C40 Cities. 2011. Climate action in megacities: C40 cities baseline and opportunities, http://www.live.c40cities.org/storage/ARUP%20REPORT%20%20Climateo/o20Action%20inb%20Megacities.pdf, accessedl9 June 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  • EU Mayors. 2012. Covenant of Mayors. Signatories. Retrieved 22 June 2012, from EU Mayors Web site: http://www.eumayors.eu/about/signatories_en.html.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ewing-Thiel, J. and Manarolla, X. 2011. Policy update: ICLEI USA draft framework for measuring and reporting GHG emissions. Carbon management 2 (4), 371–375.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gore, C.D. 2010. The limits and opportunities of networks: municipalities and Canadian climate change policy. Review ofpolicy research, 27 (1), 27–46.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gore, C. and Robinson, P. 2009. Local government response to climate change: Our last, best hope? In: H. Selin and S. VanDeveer, eds. Changing climates in north american politics: institutions, policymaking, and multilevel governance. Cambridge MA: MIT Press, 137–158.

    Google Scholar 

  • Granberg, M. and Elander, I. 2007. Local governance and climate change: reflections on the Swedish experience. Local environment, 12 (5), 537–548.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamin, E.M. and Gurran, N. 2009. Urban form and climate change: Balancing adaptation and mitigation in the U.S. and Australia. Habitat international, 33 (3), 238–245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoff, J. 2010. Local climate protection programmes in Australia and New Zealand — results, dilemmas and relevance for future actions. CIDEA Project Report No. 1. Denmark: CIDEA.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI). 1997. Local government implementation of climate protection: a report to the United Nations. Toronto: ICLEI.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI). 2012a. 2012 ICLEI world congress program book, http://www.iclei.org/worldcongress2012, accessed 19 June 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  • —. 2012b. ICLEI at Bonn climate talks., http://www.iclei.org, accessed 19 June 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  • —. 2011. Global environmental governance: the role of local governments, http://www.iclei.org/fileadmin/user_upload/documents/Global/Services/Resources/ ICLEI Paper 2011–1 IEG .pdf, accessed 19 Tune 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI). 2010a. The city climate catalogue, http://www.climate-catalogue.org/index. php?id=6905, accessed 19 June 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  • —. 2010b. Cities in a post-2012 climate policy framework, http://www.iclei.org/fileadmin/user_upload/documents/Global/Services/Resources/Cities_in_ a_Post-2012_Policy_Framework-Climate_Financing_for_City_Development_ ICLEI_2010.pdf, accessed 19 June 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  • —. 2006. Combating climate change: a comprehensive look at local climate protection programs, http://www.iclei.org/documents/USA/services/ CaseStudiesDec20062.ndf, accessed 19 Tune 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  • —. 2005. World mayors and municipal leaders demonstrate leadership on climate change, http://www.iclei.org/fileadmin/user_upload/documents/events/ montreal_summit/Media_and_Reports/ICLEI_Montreal_Summit_PR_Dec_8. pdf, accessed 19 June 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  • ICLEI Oceania. 2011. Cities for climate protection. Retrieved 19 June 2012, from ICLEI Web site: http://www.iclei.org/index.php?id=10681.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamal-Chaoui, L. and Robert, A. (eds.) 2009. Competitive cities and climate change. OECD Regional Development Working Papers No, 2. Paris: OECD Publishing, http://www.fatf-gafi.org/dataoecd/30/36/44232251.pdf, accessed 19 June 2012.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Krause, R.M. 2011. Policy innovation, intergovernmental relations, and the adoption of climate protection initiatives by U.S. cities. Journal of urban affairs, 33 (1), 45–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Metropolis. 2011. Cities and climate change. In: Ecological region commission 1 report, http://www.metropolis.org/sites/default/files/publications/2011/ C1%20Metropolis%20Eco%20regions-english.pdf, accessed 19 June 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  • —. 2009. Climate change: cities in action. Metropolis International Institute., http://www.metropolis.org/sites/default/files/publications/2009/ Climate-Change-Cities-in-Action_0.pdf, accessed 19 June 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  • Okereke, C., Bulkeley, H. and Schroeder, H. 2009. Conceptualizing climate governance beyond the international regime. Global environmental politics, 9 (1), 58–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pearce, G. and Cooper, S. 2011. Sub-national responses to climate change in England: evidence from local area agreements. Local government studies, 37 (2), 199–217.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rabe, B.G. 2007. Beyond Kyoto: climate change policy and multilevel governance. Governance 20 (3), 423–444.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ross, A. 2011. What future now for the wider sustainability agenda? http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/core/page.do?pageld+27962383, accessed 19 June 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  • Satterthwaite, D. 2008. Cities’ contribution to global warming: notes on the allocation of greenhouse gas emissions. Environment and urbanization, 20, 539–549.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slocum, R. 2004. Consumer citizens and the Cities for Climate Protection campaign. Environment and planning A, 36 (5), 763–782.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stoker, G. 2000. Urban political science and the challenge of urban governance. In: J. Pierre, ed. Debating governance: authority, steering and democracy. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 91–109.

    Google Scholar 

  • Storey, H., Brennan, M., Pillora, S. and Thomas, C. 2012. Local action for a low carbon Future. Discussion Paper June 2012. Sydney: Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government, University of Technology Sydney.

    Google Scholar 

  • United Cities and Local Government. 2011. Climate change, http://www.citieslocalgovernments.org/sections.asp, accessed 19 June 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  • UN. 2009. Local authorities’ initiatives in support of Agenda 21, http://www.un.org/esa/dsd/agenda2l/res_agenda2l_28.shtml, accessed 19 June 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNEP. 2012. Cities and municipalities. Climate Neutral Network, http://www.unep.org/CLIMATENEUTRAL/Default.aspx?tabid=349, accessed 19 June 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wheeler, S.M. 2008. State and municipal climate change plans. Journal of the American planning association, 74 (4), 481–491.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • The World Bank. 2010. Cities and climate change: an urgent agenda. Urban Development Series Knowledge Papers. Vol. 10. Washington DC: The World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yienger, J., Brown, L. and Skinner, N. 2002. Experiences of ICLEI’s Cities for Climate Protection campaign (CCP): a focus on Asia. In: Proceedings of IGES/APN Mega-City Project 23–25, January 2002. Institute for Global Environmental Strategies.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Heather Zeppel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Griffith University, Australia

    Timothy Cadman (Research Fellow) (Research Fellow)

Copyright information

© 2013 Heather Zeppel

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Zeppel, H. (2013). The ICLEI Cities for Climate Protection Programme: Local Government Networks in Urban Climate Governance. In: Cadman, T. (eds) Climate Change and Global Policy Regimes. International Political Economy. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137006127_15

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics