What forms of national-local policy links are used in implementing mitigation and adaptation policies? What are the key tools for integrated, multilevel governance of mitigation and adaptation activities, and how can these be applied? This paper highlights a ‘hybrid’ framework of multilevel governance in which local-regional/national collaboration promotes mutual learning and enhanced effectiveness. Systematic efforts are needed to align incentives across sectoral and cross-sectoral policy areas, so that regional and local policy implementation is successful.
Integrated governance which incorporates all levels of government and relevant stakeholders is crucial in avoiding policy gaps between local action plans and national policy frameworks. Vertical and horizontal integration allows two-way benefits: locally-led initiatives influence national action and nationally-led enabling frameworks empower local players. The most promising frameworks combine the two into hybrid models of policy dialogue; the lessons learnt are used to fine-tune enabling frameworks and are disseminated horizontally, achieving more efficient local implementation of climate strategies.
Tools that may be used to advance good practice in multilevel governance and to enhance the capacity of local governments to act more effectively on climate change issues are:
- A harmonised city-scale greenhouse gas inventory and coherent accounting methodologies. These can enhance monitoring and data collection and allow more systematic assessment of mitigation performance, options and comparison across cities.
- Building research and policy capacity to support timely and cost-effective decisions at the local level. This is important in developing regional capacity to assess, design and implement policies. ‘Boundary organisations’ are needed to link research information with decision-makers.
- Encouraging better development of urban climate policy networks, in particular through the engagement of regional and local non-governmental stakeholders at various stages of the policy process. This could deepen local scientific knowledge and include local perspectives in the drafting and implementation of coordinated and integrated mitigation and adaptation strategies.
National policies can powerfully enable local action on adaptation and mitigation. National governments can and should lead the design and implementation of broad cross-cutting instruments to avoid a patchwork of uncoordinated targets, goals, and programmes. In addition, independent local action generates innovative ideas or policies that can be tested and refined before being used as a template for regional or national action. A ‘hybrid’ model, in which national (or regional) governments work closely with local governments, can stimulate two-way learning. Further:
- Close collaboration between local and national authorities to build capacity on the climate change issue will improve the chances that local authorities will exploit the potential for cost-effective mitigation and adaptation to climate change. With proper resources to anticipate and address these issues, city authorities can be a proactive force for action on climate change.
- Some effective cross-sectoral regional or urban development strategies appear to be driven by the climate change imperative; mitigation and adaptation can enhance regional economic development.
- By contrast, strategies based on adding a ‘green’ component in a more isolated manner to sectoral regional development policy drivers seem less likely to successfully sustain regional economic development and tackle climate change over the longer term.
