Philanthropic foundations as urban climate policy entrepreneurs

Abstract

ABSTRACT Cities are increasingly presented as key sites of effective climate action. However urban climate governance is suffering from an implementation gap, and a democratic deficit associated with its technical focus and difficulties to address social climate justice issues. Philanthropic foundations have been heavily involved with climate issues, contributing to the positioning of cities as key actors on this front. Yet, their role in transforming urban climate governance from within is still little studied. We propose a conceptual framework to specify their contribution in solving or reinforcing the challenges of urban climate governance, and investigate their effects through a qualitative in-depth study of the processes of urban climate governance at the stages of plan making and implementation. Considering certain benefits in terms of effective field-building, but drawbacks for equity, democratic legitimacy and accountability, we argue that philanthropic foundations are urban climate policy entrepreneurs whose impact on urban governance is ambiguous.