INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION Although the UNFCCC is the main multilateral forum on climate change, there are an increasing number of actors and avenues that provide an opportunity to drive action. Parliamentarians should be aware of this opening up of the political space and seek ways to engage with the range of stakeholders to further progress at the domestic and international level. States: States can send trend-setting signals in key areas, but they often lack the capacity and/or the political will to implement and enforce efficient climate policies. Their actions can also have negative ripple effects, if they pursue the wrong courses of action. Small states are in a position to set examples to the rest of world about how positive policies and measures can be implemented nationwide, as well working together on the international stage to lobby the larger emitters. However greater emphasis must be placed in sharing successful case studies and impacts. Market actors: Climate change cannot be successfully tackled without changing the behaviour of businesses and investors in key sectors such as energy, transport, agriculture and infrastructure. The Paris Agreement sent an important signal to investors, namely the long-term global commitment to shift to a net-zero carbon economy. In the short term, investors will react to more immediate policies and incentives, such as carbon taxes, as well as changing consumer preferences. Civil society: Civil society organisations play an important role in monitoring business action and ensuring that climate change policies are accountable to the public. Although the number of NGOs and similar organisations engaged in climate change action is growing and securing more important roles at multilateral climate change conferences, they are still excluded from some negotiating sessions. Multilateral bodies: The Paris Agreement also created momentum for climate action in other multilateral institutions and bodies previously less invested in climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts. Parliamentarians will find more opportunities to work alongside such bodies, to knowledge share and pool efforts. Sub- and non-state actors: Local governments and cities are becoming more visible actors in the climate change agenda, and many of them will continue or even step up their efforts to fight climate change. As important links between government and the citizenry parliamentarians play an important role. Inter-parliamentary networks: As highlighted, influencing the international climate change agenda, does not always have to be the purview of the government. Parliamentarians should exploit their membership with inter-parliamentary networks, such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association to gain access to important international conferences and meetings to further their agenda in partnership with fellow parliamentarians.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND SMALL STATES
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