Climate Change Negotiations and Civil Society Participation: Shifting and Contested Terrain

Abstract

Based on ethnographic research in UN-based policy negotiations, I argue that civil society participation in global governance can best be thought through as it is played out in practice. Using examples from recent deliberations that have taken place under the auspices of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, I explore the politics of participation through a couple of key issues that are currently being worked out between UN member states and civil society organizations. While civil society serves an important role of providing technical expertise to UN deliberations, it can also serve to push the boundaries of which issues are taken up in negotiations. Tactics used by members of civil society, however, are not always consistent with UN business as usual. This article explores these dynamics and points to the implications of current tensions for future participation of civil society in climate-related negotiations. [Article copies available for a fee from The Transformative Studies Institute. E-mail address: journal@transformativestudies.org Website: http://www.transformativestudies.org ©2011 by The Transformative Studies Institute. All rights reserved.]