Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning · 2018 · 24 citations · 26 references
Social SciencesEnvironmental PolicyPublic PolicyEnergy PolicyEnvironmental GovernanceUrban GovernanceCarbon Emissions ManagementClimate GovernanceEnergy GovernanceUrban Environmental GovernanceUrban Environmental ManagementUrban Policy MakingAir Travel ReductionClimate Policy Implementation At The Local LevelGreenhouse Gas EmissionsLocal Governance InstitutionsLocal Government GovernanceLocal Government InstitutionsMunicipal Environmental PolicyUrban Climate Action Plans
Global greenhouse gas emissions from air travel (GHG-A) are on the rise, and projections point towards a rapid growth in the coming decades. This study aims to examine how local government (cities), addresses GHG-A in their Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAP). To fulfil this aim, over 200 SEAPs were analysed focusing on three issues: (1) Treatment of GHG-A in local emissions inventories; (2) Policy initiatives within this domain; and (3) The cities’ perceptions of the conflicts of interests. Results showed that more than half of the cities acknowledge the challenge of GHG-A, around one third include GHG-A in their emissions inventories, and more than one quarter have initiated policy interventions. To categorise these interventions, we have added a mode ‘governing by agenda setting’ to an existing analytical framework, ‘Modes of governing’. With their authority limited to the local setting, this mode of governing is a common channel for cities to push changes at higher levels.
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