Abstract
Academic attention to local climate policy usually focuses on large-sized cities. Given the climate challenges ahead this seems unjustified. Small and medium-sized cities (SMCs) deserve scholarly attention as well. The main question is: What factors influence climate change policy and local climate actions in SMCs? In this article we present an analytical framework to analyze climate change policy and local climate actions of SMCs. The framework addresses different aspects: policy-input, -throughput, -output, -outcome, characteristics of the local environment, local action arenas, influence by higher government levels, and interaction with climate change issue networks. The framework is used to analyze and compare four case studies of SMCs in the Dutch region of Twente (two urban and two rural municipalities, and addresses both adaptation and mitigation). Results show that both ‘localist’, ‘multi-level’ and issue network membership factors influence local climate policy action. Governance modes discerned concern mostly ‘governing by authority’ and ‘self-governing’. When reflecting on the role of SMCs in climate action the study revealed the importance of local capacity building schemes issued by provincial government, inter-municipal network collaboration, and the potential for local governments to mobilize and organize citizen action.
Highlights
Climate change has been acknowledged as a grand societal challenge by the majority of countries in the World
What the analysis revealed is that involvement of citizens is hardly or not related at all to projects ensued by local government
When analyzing the different governance models issued by the four municipalities the results revealed that two governance types correlate positively to local low carbon actions and projects issued: “governing by authority” and
Summary
Climate change has been acknowledged as a grand societal challenge by the majority of countries in the World. In most countries climate change policies have been drafted and implemented [1,2]. Attention to climate change in terms of policy and governance includes both adaptation and mitigation [2]. For both adaptation and mitigation policies and programs have been developed. To state level climate programs many countries involve decentralized levels of government as well [3]. In cities many greenhouse gases (GHG) are emitted, and cities are increasingly vulnerable to climate change. With predictions on further growth of cities in terms of inhabitants, economic activities and related consumption of energy and other resources, cities are of Sustainability 2016, 8, 847; doi:10.3390/su8090847 www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability
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