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Intergovernmental climate change mitigation policies: theory and outcomes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 May 2014

Hal T. Nelson ,
Adam Rose ,
Dan Wei ,
Thomas Peterson  and
Jeffrey Wennberg
Hal T. Nelson
Affiliation:
Division of Politics and Economics, Claremont Graduate University, USA E-mail: [email protected]
Adam Rose
Affiliation:
Price School of Public Policy, University of Southern California, USA E-mail: [email protected]
Dan Wei
Affiliation:
Price School of Public Policy, University of Southern California, USA E-mail: [email protected]
Thomas Peterson
Affiliation:
Center for Climate Strategies, USA E-mail: [email protected]
Jeffrey Wennberg
Affiliation:
Center for Climate Strategies, USA E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

This paper develops a framework for analysing intergovernmental relationships around greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation policies along a cooperation-conflict spectrum that affects the probability of their enactment. Cooperative policies, such as federal fiscal transfers to sub-national governments, facilitate enactment. Coordination policies, including enabling and funding mechanisms, promote interdependence between jurisdictions. Competitive policies, such as federal performance standards and price mechanisms, increase political conflict over authority. We categorise 23 policies developed by over 1,500 state stakeholders into the cooperation/coordination/conflict taxonomy. If scaled to the national level, these policies could reduce GHG emissions by over 3 billion tonnes by 2020 and generate nearly 2.2 million jobs (1.19 per cent above baseline projections). Nearly two-thirds of the job gains are from coordinated and cooperative policy options that are unlikely to occur under the status quo policy process. We recommend a national climate action planning process to reduce GHG emissions while increasing aggregate economic efficiency.

Keywords

climate change mitigationfederalismgovernanceintergovernmental relationsmacroeconomic modelling
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Public Policy , Volume 35 , Supplement 1 , April 2015 , pp. 97 - 136
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press, 2014 

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