Linked for action? An analysis of transnational municipal climate networks in Germany

Abstract

In times of ongoing urbanisation and unabated climate change, cities face increasing demands for improvements in urban climate change governance. This article investigates the activities of transnational municipal networks that were set up in response to climate change and analyses their potential to influence local climate governance. On the basis of a conceptualisation of transnational municipal climate networks (TMCNs), quantitative data on the proliferation of TMCNs amongst German municipalities were assessed and complemented by a qualitative analysis of scientific and grey literature and interviews. The quantitative analysis reveals a wide proliferation of TMCNs in Germany. Finally, the results show that TMCNs have different profiles which can be categorised into four functions all of which might influence local climate change governance. The functions are ‘platform’, ‘consultant’, ‘commitment broker’ and ‘advocate’. It is concluded that TMCNs can play a crucial role in fostering climate governance.