Tackling climate change through multi-level governance, systems thinking and policy coherence

Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges facing present and future generations, with far-reaching impacts on the environment, society and the economy. Addressing this complex issue requires a holistic and collaborative approach that goes beyond traditional top-down governance models. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of multi-level governance, and how to apply systems thinking and policy coherence approaches, as a means to effectively tackle the environmental changes on our planet.

Multilevel governance is a concept that recognizes that multi-dimensional issues, such as climate change, require coordination and collaboration across various levels of government, from local to global, and across different sectors and stakeholders. It is an approach that acknowledges the interconnectedness of various actors and systems, including governments, international organizations, businesses, civil society, and local communities. Rather than a hierarchical approach, multilevel governance emphasizes the need for inclusive and participatory decision-making processes that involve multiple actors at different levels, to effectively identify and implement solutions for pressing environmental and societal challenges.

Systems thinking is a key component of multilevel governance. It provides holistic frameworks for understanding the complex and interconnected nature of climate change. Systems thinking involves analysing the interactions and feedback loops among different components of a system, and understanding how changes in one part of the system can impact the system as a whole. When applied to climate change, systems thinking helps us recognize that climate change is not just an environmental problem, but also a social, economic, and political issue that requires integrated solutions.

Policy coherence is another important element of multilevel governance. It refers to the alignment and consistency of policies and actions across different levels and sectors of governance. Policy coherence ensures that policies do not work in isolation but are integrated and coordinated to achieve common goals. Policy coherence is crucial to avoid conflicting policies or unintended consequences that may hinder effective action on climate change.

So how can multilevel governance, systems thinking, and policy coherence be applied to climate change?

Inclusive and participatory decision-making: Multilevel governance emphasizes the need for inclusive and participatory decision-making processes that involve various stakeholders, including governments, businesses, civil society and local communities. This approach ensures that diverse perspectives are considered, and that decisions are made collectively, taking into account the complex and interconnected nature of climate change.

Integrated and holistic solutions: Systems thinking provides a framework for understanding the interconnectedness of different systems involved in climate change, such as the environmental, social, economic, and political systems. This approach helps identify and address the root causes of climate change, and promotes integrated and holistic solutions that consider the interdependencies among different systems. For example, addressing deforestation requires not only environmental measures, but also social and economic measures that tackle issues such as land tenure, livelihoods, and governance.

Coordinated policies and actions: Policy coherence is essential to ensure that policies and actions are aligned and consistent across different levels and sectors of governance. This prevents conflicting policies and actions that may hinder effective action on climate change. For example, policies related to energy, transportation, agriculture and urban planning should be coordinated and aligned to promote low-carbon and sustainable development pathways.

Adaptive and flexible approaches: Climate change is a complex and evolving issue that requires adaptive, iterative and flexible approaches. Multilevel governance, systems thinking, and policy coherence promote adaptive and flexible approaches that can respond to changing circumstances, uncertainties, and risks associated with climate change. This includes monitoring and evaluation of policies and actions and learning from experiences to improve future actions.

Global cooperation: Climate change is a global challenge that requires international cooperation and coordination. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) provides a framework for global cooperation on climate change. It sets out common goals and objectives and provides a platform for countries to negotiate and agree on policies and measures to address climate change. The Paris Agreement, which was adopted in 2015, is a key outcome of the UNFCCC process. It aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.  Global cooperation among different countries and regions allows for the sharing of knowledge, best practices, and resources, and establishing international agreements and mechanisms for effective climate action.

Climate change is a complex and urgent problem that requires a coordinated effort from all levels of governance. Multilevel governance is an approach that recognizes the interdependence of different levels of governance, and emphasizes the importance of policy coherence in addressing complex problems linked to changes in climate. By applying a systems thinking and policy coherence approach and engaging stakeholders at different levels, policymakers can develop more effective and sustainable and impactful policies for addressing challenges surfacing from climate change.