The politics of climate policy in rapidly industrialising countries
Hugh Compston, Cardiff School of European Studies, Cardiff University
Discussants: Xi Liang, Exeter University & Patricia Kennett, Bristol University
Without the active efforts of major industrialising countries to curb their emissions growth there seems little prospect of avoiding major human impacts on the climate system. However, despite their growing importance in the global economy and to climate mitigation efforts, the political processes involved in decoupling economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions in which countries such as China and India remain poorly understood. Most analyses of the climate politics of industrialising countries has instead focused on their role in international climate diplomacy. In contrast, the politics of climate change within industrialising countries and the political pressures their governments face on climate change remain a ‘black box’ for most observers.
In this seminar, Ian Bailey examines political obstacles to climate policy in four major industrialising countries – China, India, Russia and Brazil. Drawing on findings from his forthcoming book, Feeling the Heat: the politics of climate policy in industrialising countries (co-edited with Hugh Compston), policy-network analysis is used to consider a range of political strategies that governments in industrialising countries might use to reduce the political risks of introducing policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The seminar concludes by examining how OECD countries might assist industrialising countries in countering political obstacles to climate policy.
