The challenge of integrating subnational governments in multilevel climate governance: the case of Mexico

Abstract

ABSTRACT Climate change (CC) actions need to happen at multiple scales, with coordination between horizontal and vertical levels of governance. Achieving national determined contributions signed as part of the Paris Agreement depends on the power of national and subnational governments to implement effective CC policies. Using a framework based on three power categories: power by design, pragmatic power, and framing power, we analyse how different types of power across multiple levels of government entities operate within various sectors in an emerging economy. Specifically, we analyse the multilevel governance in Mexico’s federal system. Our sample comprises six states (out of 32) and 18 municipalities and considers two mitigation sectors (transport and urban solid waste) and the adaptation domain. We find evidence of more robust climate policy at the state level delivered through power by design (policy instruments) and pragmatic power (to implement actions), but weak power performance at the municipal level. The sectoral analysis shows more consistent adaptation policies than mitigation policies. The power imbalances across the three categories are relevant because the quantity and coherence of designed policy instruments and actions can be contrasted with the capacity to implement actions, which depends on the availability of resources and political will.