The Climate Crisis, Democracy and Governance

This book argues that at a time when the world is facing environmental and social upheaval, the political establishment has been unwilling to listen and slow to act. This is reflected in a political system that has been incapable of rising to the challenge. Only by governments taking a radical and progressive lead in making changes imposing them if necessary can there be any hope of slowing, stopping and then reversing our global catastrophe. Governments hold the prime responsibility in the creation of a virtuous circle of positive action for the climate. Starting from a European perspective, a ten point manifesto explains how this can be done and how we can have hope for the future. The book is a call for action to European governments in the approach to COP26 and when plans for a European Green Deal are being discussed in the EU.

Disclaimer: The author of this publication is acting in his own name. The viewpoints he defends are in no way reflecting the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee and of other EU institutions.

Provide evidence on the root causes of governments' lack of proportionate response to the demand of action by the young and climate-concerned people Explore the climate governance issue from the point of view of the domestic decision- and implementation-making processes, and not from an international cross-country related context Provide a new insight on how climate policies have to be politically processed to optimise their social return, by pointing to 10 governance steps that need to be considered by strategic and policy thinkers and decision-makers across governments, NGOs and the corporate world

Inhalt

A Transition manifesto: 10 action points for Governments.- The European Green Deal and other climate plans Climate.- The Paris Agreement getting people's buy-in now.- Ten measures to make climate governance fit for purpose.