Workshop: Local Action, Global Impact: Policy Pathways for Decentralised Environmental Governance
This workshop examines how decentralised environmental governance can strengthen climate mitigation and adaptation by addressing the tensions between national objectives and the practical realities of local implementation.
Bringing together scholars and practitioners working on the economics, geography, development studies, politics, law and policy design of decentralised environmental governance, the workshop will consider theoretical and empirical evidence to develop actionable policy recommendations across key themes – technological innovation, climate-risk adaptation, biodiversity resilience and financing mechanisms – ultimately enhancing evidence-based policy design and implementation.
One of the most urgent challenges facing humanity today is how to confront and mitigate the worsening environmental crisis. Effective environmental governance is central to this effort, as it shapes how societies respond to ecological threats, balance competing priorities, and build long-term resilience. While national and international frameworks set the broad policy agenda, the actual success of climate action depends largely on implementation at the subnational level. Local and regional governments play a pivotal role in both climate mitigation and adaptation, managing land use, public utilities, waste, transport, and disaster response, and often pioneering innovative solutions where national governments fall short.
However, significant tensions persist between national objectives—such as meeting international climate commitments—and local imperatives, including economic growth and employment. Understanding this complex interplay between central and local governance is crucial to improving coordination, accountability, and policy equity. Despite their critical role, subnational actors remain underrepresented in climate policy design. Strengthening vertical coordination between national and local authorities, alongside horizontal collaboration among regions, can enhance both policy effectiveness and implementation. This workshop seeks to address this gap by advancing interdisciplinary and evidence-based discussions on decentralised environmental governance.
