17.3 National and subnational climate policies

Climate policies vary globally, with countries setting different emissions reduction targets and using diverse policy instruments. From carbon pricing to renewable energy mandates, nations employ various strategies to combat climate change. These policies aim to reduce emissions across sectors like transportation, buildings, and industry.

Subnational actors play a crucial role in climate action. Cities and local governments implement urban planning and transportation policies, while states and regions set ambitious targets. These efforts allow for tailored approaches and policy experimentation, potentially driving greater national and international ambition in addressing climate change.

Global Climate Policies

Global climate policies comparison

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  1. Overall progress towards the European Union's '20-20-20' climate and energy targets ... View original

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  FIGURE ES.1 EU progress towards 2020 and 2030 targets on climate and energy View original

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  2018 Worldwide CO2 Emissions (variwide chart) View original

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  1. Overall progress towards the European Union's '20-20-20' climate and energy targets ... View original

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  FIGURE ES.1 EU progress towards 2020 and 2030 targets on climate and energy View original

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Top images from around the web for Global climate policies comparison

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  1. Overall progress towards the European Union's '20-20-20' climate and energy targets ... View original

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  FIGURE ES.1 EU progress towards 2020 and 2030 targets on climate and energy View original

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• 

  2018 Worldwide CO2 Emissions (variwide chart) View original

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• 

  1. Overall progress towards the European Union's '20-20-20' climate and energy targets ... View original

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• 

  FIGURE ES.1 EU progress towards 2020 and 2030 targets on climate and energy View original

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• Emissions reduction targets vary in ambition and timelines among countries
  • Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted under the Paris Agreement outline each country's emissions reduction commitments
  • Some countries have set more ambitious targets (European Union) while others have less stringent goals (China, India)
• Policy instruments used to achieve emissions reductions differ across nations
  • Carbon pricing mechanisms put a price on greenhouse gas emissions through carbon taxes (Canada) or emissions trading systems (European Union)
  • Renewable energy mandates require a certain percentage of electricity to come from renewable sources (California, Germany)
  • Energy efficiency standards regulate the energy consumption of appliances, buildings, and vehicles (Japan, United States)
• Sector-specific approaches target emissions reductions in key areas of the economy
  • Transportation policies include fuel efficiency standards for vehicles (United States), electric vehicle incentives (Norway), and investments in public transit (Colombia)
  • Building sector measures involve green building codes (Singapore), energy efficiency retrofit programs (United Kingdom), and incentives for energy-efficient appliances (Mexico)
  • Industry policies may include emissions performance standards (Canada), voluntary agreements with companies (Japan), and support for low-carbon technologies (South Korea)
• Adaptation and resilience strategies help countries prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate change
  • Infrastructure development and planning considers future climate risks (Netherlands)
  • Ecosystem-based approaches protect and restore natural systems that provide climate benefits such as coastal protection (Bangladesh) and reforestation (Brazil)

Effectiveness of climate policy instruments

• Carbon pricing internalizes the external costs of greenhouse gas emissions and encourages emissions reductions
  • Puts a price on each ton of emissions, incentivizing companies and individuals to reduce their carbon footprint
  • Encourages adoption of low-carbon technologies and practices (renewable energy, energy efficiency)
  • Challenges include political acceptability, distributional impacts on low-income households, and potential carbon leakage to unregulated jurisdictions
• Renewable energy mandates drive investment and innovation in clean energy technologies
  • Sets targets for the percentage of electricity that must come from renewable sources by a certain date
  • Spurs deployment of wind, solar, hydro, and other renewable energy projects
  • Challenges include integration with existing energy systems and managing the intermittency of some renewable sources
• Energy efficiency standards reduce energy consumption and associated emissions
  • Sets minimum energy performance requirements for appliances, buildings, and vehicles
  • Saves consumers money on energy bills over the lifetime of the product or building
  • Challenges include rebound effects where efficiency gains are offset by increased usage, upfront costs for more efficient products, and enforcement and compliance issues

Subnational Climate Action

Subnational actors in climate policy

• Cities and local governments play a key role in implementing climate policies
  • Urban planning and land use policies shape the built environment and transportation patterns (compact development, transit-oriented design)
  • Building codes and energy efficiency programs reduce emissions from the building sector (green building standards, retrofit incentives)
  • Transportation infrastructure investments and policies promote low-carbon mobility (bike lanes, electric vehicle charging stations, congestion pricing)
• States and regions collaborate on climate action through various initiatives
  • Set renewable energy and emissions reduction targets that may be more ambitious than national goals (California, New York)
  • Implement carbon pricing and emissions trading systems at the regional level (Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in the United States)
  • Develop climate adaptation and resilience plans tailored to local contexts and vulnerabilities (Louisiana's Coastal Master Plan)
• Subnational action offers several benefits in advancing climate policy
  • Allows for experimentation and innovation in policy design that can inform national and international efforts
  • Enables tailored approaches that address local contexts, needs, and priorities
  • Builds momentum and demonstrates the feasibility and benefits of climate action, potentially driving increased national and international ambition

Factors influencing climate policy adoption

• Social factors shape public support and political will for climate action
  • Greater public awareness and concern about climate change can pressure governments to act (Fridays for Future movement)
  • Distributional impacts and environmental justice considerations influence policy design and acceptance (ensuring a just transition for workers in fossil fuel industries)
  • Civil society organizations and grassroots movements play a key role in advocating for and shaping climate policies (Indigenous environmental justice groups)
• Economic factors influence the costs, benefits, and feasibility of climate policies
  • The perceived and actual costs of climate policies can be a barrier to adoption, particularly in economically challenging times
  • Concerns about competitiveness and carbon leakage may lead to resistance from emissions-intensive industries (steel, cement)
  • Low-carbon sectors and technologies offer economic opportunities for job creation and growth (renewable energy, electric vehicles)
• Political factors shape the adoption and implementation of climate policies
  • Partisan polarization and ideological divides can hinder climate action, particularly in countries with two-party political systems (United States)
  • Interest groups and lobbying efforts by fossil fuel companies and other industry actors can influence policy decisions
  • International pressure through diplomacy and agreements (Paris Agreement) can encourage countries to adopt and strengthen their climate policies