The Transnational Regime Complex for Climate Change

TLDR

Climate governance has become complex, fragmented, and decentralized due to a recent “Cambrian explosion” of transnational institutions, standards, financing arrangements, and programs, yet most studies focus on inter‑state institutions. The study maps the diverse array of transnational schemes that constitute a different realm of climate change governance. The analysis applies regime complex theory and polycentric governance theory to this emerging system, revealing avenues for positive and normative research. The author argues that institutional complexity can be made more beneficial and less costly through nonhierarchical orchestration, where international organizations or other authorities support and steer transnational schemes toward global public interests.

Abstract

In climate change, as in other areas, recent years have produced a ‘Cambrian explosion’ of transnational institutions, standards, financing arrangements, and programs. As a result, climate governance has become complex, fragmented, and decentralized, operating without central coordination. Most studies of climate governance focus on inter state institutions. In contrast, I map a different realm of climate change governance: the diverse array of transnational schemes. I analyze this emerging system in terms of two theoretical frameworks developed to describe, explain, and evaluate complex governance arrangements—regime complex theory and polycentric governance theory—revealing fruitful avenues for positive and normative research. I conclude by arguing that the benefits of institutional complexity could be increased, and the costs reduced, through nonhierarchical ‘orchestration’ of climate change governance, in which international organizations or other appropriate authorities support and steer transnational schemes that further global public interests.