Global environmental governance is the topic of our latest the Global Governance Debate.   

As pressing environmental challenges mount, what kind of institutional framework do we need to strengthen global climate action? What should be the role of different actors (state and non-state) and instruments (mandatory and voluntary) in the quest to find lasting political solutions? Prof. Urs Luterbacher and Naghmeh Nasiritousi share their differing perspectives.

Prof. Lutherbacher kicks off the debate suggesting that when it comes to climate change "preaching to the converted is not very effective.”  He recognises that Greta Thunberg is right to sound the alarm over climate change, but he questions the strategies suggested to deal with the problem.  He explains that leading by example sometimes does not pay, and considers a return to the principles of the Kyoto Protocol necessary. Read his post here.

Naghmeh Nasiritousi, on the other hand, considers that it is not a question of either or. She says that the Paris Agreement is necessary but needs to be strengthened with complementary initiatives.  For Nasiritousi "that the Paris Agreement is inadequate for dealing with climate change on its own is the very reason why Greta Thunberg and the #FridaysForFuture movement and other climate movements are so important." You can read her post here.

You can follow the current debate or join by submitting your own response.