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One step towards a Global Climate Action

Wihlborg, Linn LU (2018) MVEM30 20181
Studies in Environmental Science
Abstract
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has
started to address non-Party members, perceived as a bottom-up approach and an
orchestration mode of governance, with the goal to ensure a global sustainable
development. One powerful actor who has contributed to this ambition by
establishing their own guidelines and collaborations are multinational
corporations (MNCs). Within this perspective, this thesis aims to investigate how
the UNFCCC is able to use MNCs as intermediaries, in order to create more
climate action amongst its member states.

It is discovered that MNCs can affect states by either taking over the state’s
authority or complement their lack of actions. Together with the recognition that
an... (More)
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has
started to address non-Party members, perceived as a bottom-up approach and an
orchestration mode of governance, with the goal to ensure a global sustainable
development. One powerful actor who has contributed to this ambition by
establishing their own guidelines and collaborations are multinational
corporations (MNCs). Within this perspective, this thesis aims to investigate how
the UNFCCC is able to use MNCs as intermediaries, in order to create more
climate action amongst its member states.

It is discovered that MNCs can affect states by either taking over the state’s
authority or complement their lack of actions. Together with the recognition that
an entrepreneur mode of governance could occur, if MNCs will be granted too
much power. It might also be crucial for the UNFCCC to be cautious regarding
who to support, considering risks of greenwashing or insufficient environmental
initiatives. But also with respect to the danger of states and MNCs undermining
each other. What is more, MNCs might face a range of difficulties operating in
this field whereby many still consider their actions as highly suspicious.
Consequently, the request for more transparency has risen, in which the UNFCCC
plays an important part.

This thesis concludes that the UNFCCC has the possibility to conduct a
prosperous and long-term orchestration mode of governance, with MNCs as
intermediaries, based upon a mutual exchange where everyone included are being
viewed as winners. In parallel the UNFCCC has the possibility to conduct both a
bottom-up and top-down mode of governance, restore its damaged legitimacy,
contribute to more ambitious actions amongst its Party-members and continue to
be the central actor within the field of climate change. (Less)
Popular Abstract
Will the UNFCCC continue to be the focal actor within the climate change?

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has taken on a bottom-up approach by including non-Party members in the work against climate change, which can be perceived as a response towards the growing scepticism against the UNFCCC’s previous top-down approach and difficulties in creating a binding agreement. Multinational corporations (MNCs) are a few actors who have started to partner with the UNFCCC with the aim to produce a sustainable development and contribute to the UNFCCC’s initiative, which is labelled Global Climate Action (GCA). However, the inclusion of MNCs may result in these actors taking over the authority of the states in... (More)
Will the UNFCCC continue to be the focal actor within the climate change?

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has taken on a bottom-up approach by including non-Party members in the work against climate change, which can be perceived as a response towards the growing scepticism against the UNFCCC’s previous top-down approach and difficulties in creating a binding agreement. Multinational corporations (MNCs) are a few actors who have started to partner with the UNFCCC with the aim to produce a sustainable development and contribute to the UNFCCC’s initiative, which is labelled Global Climate Action (GCA). However, the inclusion of MNCs may result in these actors taking over the authority of the states in which regions they are operating in. There is also a risk that the UNFCCC could harm its (already damaged) legitimacy even more, by partnering with MNCs whose initiatives could be labelled as greenwashing.

In order to secure that potential partners actually does contribute to the climate change in a positive way, without gaining too much power and as a result risk above consequences, the UNFCCC may need to create a closer relationship with these MNCs. It may also be necessary to increase these firms transparency in order to regain trust amongst the public and inspire others to follow their path. It is discovered that MNCs are able to compensate for lack of climate action amongst states and have the power to change whole industries, which demonstrated that theses specific firms are very valuable in the work to combat the climate change.
By including these actors, it is perceived that the UNFCCC strives towards gaining the role of an orchestrator, whereat the focal point is to use them as intermediaries in order to evoke more ambitious policies amongst its Party-members. Nevertheless, in order for the UNFCCC to continue to be the central actor within the climate negotiations, it has to restore its legitimacy, whereat MNCs play a significant part. By this means, the UNFCCC have the possibility to establish a profound global climate action where everyone (not just Party-members) contributes to this crucial work togheter. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Wihlborg, Linn LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
A study about the UNFCCC’s inclusion of multinational corporations based upon an orchestration mode of governance
course
MVEM30 20181
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Orchestration, Multinational Corporations, UNFCCC, Climate Governance
language
English
id
8946781
date added to LUP
2018-06-12 09:26:29
date last changed
2018-06-12 09:26:29
@misc{8946781,
  abstract     = {{The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has
started to address non-Party members, perceived as a bottom-up approach and an
orchestration mode of governance, with the goal to ensure a global sustainable
development. One powerful actor who has contributed to this ambition by
establishing their own guidelines and collaborations are multinational
corporations (MNCs). Within this perspective, this thesis aims to investigate how
the UNFCCC is able to use MNCs as intermediaries, in order to create more
climate action amongst its member states.

It is discovered that MNCs can affect states by either taking over the state’s
authority or complement their lack of actions. Together with the recognition that
an entrepreneur mode of governance could occur, if MNCs will be granted too
much power. It might also be crucial for the UNFCCC to be cautious regarding
who to support, considering risks of greenwashing or insufficient environmental
initiatives. But also with respect to the danger of states and MNCs undermining
each other. What is more, MNCs might face a range of difficulties operating in
this field whereby many still consider their actions as highly suspicious.
Consequently, the request for more transparency has risen, in which the UNFCCC
plays an important part.

This thesis concludes that the UNFCCC has the possibility to conduct a
prosperous and long-term orchestration mode of governance, with MNCs as
intermediaries, based upon a mutual exchange where everyone included are being
viewed as winners. In parallel the UNFCCC has the possibility to conduct both a
bottom-up and top-down mode of governance, restore its damaged legitimacy,
contribute to more ambitious actions amongst its Party-members and continue to
be the central actor within the field of climate change.}},
  author       = {{Wihlborg, Linn}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{One step towards a Global Climate Action}},
  year         = {{2018}},
}