Transatlantic Subnational Climate Cooperation: Opportunities for Implementation

Oct 14, 2022 | Wilson Center
View Original

The subnational level has become increasingly important in keeping international climate diplomacy alive. Cities play an important role informing not only local, but also national and international policymaking. They possess expert knowledge on how citizens are directly affected by policies from all levels of governance and understand what is needed for current and future policies to be successful. Cities are the ones who have to implement the climate measures to keep the planet on a Paris-aligned pathway, and by connecting with other local and regional jurisdictions, these policy front-runners can become faster and more effective. Subnational partnerships can take a variety of shapes and do not have to adhere to a strictly “reciprocal” relationship, whereby City A provides something to City B and vice versa. 

External actors can help both deliver project-specific expertise whilst alleviating time strains on city representatives who are already over-capacity and (often) under-funded.