Climate policy definition
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Climate Policy Definition and Key Elements
Climate policy refers to the strategies, laws, and actions that governments and institutions develop to address the causes and impacts of climate change. These policies aim to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, adapt to climate impacts, and promote sustainable development. Climate policy is not just about environmental protection; it also involves economic, social, and political considerations, making it a complex and multi-dimensional issue 18.
International Climate Policy: Agreements and Governance
Internationally, climate policy has evolved through major agreements such as the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. These agreements set global targets for limiting temperature rise and require countries to submit plans for reducing emissions, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The Paris Agreement, for example, aims to keep global temperature rise well below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C, and encourages countries to strengthen their climate actions over time 18. Climate policy is now recognized as a challenge for both international and multilevel governance, involving not only national governments but also subnational and local authorities 78.
National and Local Climate Policy: Implementation and Adaptation
At the national and local levels, climate policy includes a wide range of actions such as investing in renewable energy, building resilience to climate impacts, and integrating climate considerations into development planning. Effective climate policy requires assessing vulnerabilities, developing technologies to reduce impacts, and enhancing the adaptive capacity of communities. Implementation is often tailored to the specific context of each country or region, reflecting different political, economic, and social realities 147.
Climate Policy Tools: Emissions Reduction and Energy Transition
A central focus of climate policy is reducing GHG emissions, but effective policy goes beyond just regulating emissions. It also involves supporting the transition to new energy systems, incentivizing research and development, and scaling up clean technologies. Policies may include carbon pricing, subsidies for renewables, and regulations to phase out fossil fuels. The goal is to create incentives for decarbonization and to ensure that the shift away from fossil fuels is economically and socially sustainable 56.
Evolving Policy Challenges and Incentives
Climate policy is shaped by changing economic and strategic incentives. As the global energy system transforms, countries that import fossil fuels benefit from decarbonization, while some fossil fuel exporters face challenges from stranded assets. The framing of climate policy is shifting from being seen as economically costly to recognizing the opportunities for innovation, green growth, and energy security . Policy effectiveness depends on clear goals, strong implementation, and the ability to adapt to new scientific and economic realities 34.
Conclusion
In summary, climate policy is a broad set of actions and frameworks designed to address climate change by reducing emissions, adapting to impacts, and promoting sustainable development. It operates at international, national, and local levels, and involves a mix of regulatory, economic, and technological tools. The definition and scope of climate policy continue to evolve as new challenges and opportunities emerge in the global response to climate change 1345678.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic