Event Information
This EEU Seminar will be held on Monday the 05th of February at 12:10 – 13:15 in E44.
The seminar will be held by Anjali Ramakrishnan. Anjali is a researcher in the project on Inclusive Green Transitions for Sustainable Development in the Global South, based in the EfD Global Hub. The title of the paper she will be presenting is: Designing a virtuous cycle: Quality of governance, effective climate change mitigation, and just outcomes support each other.
When: Monday, February 5th at 12:10-13:15
Where: E44
Speaker: Anjali Ramakrishnan
Title: Designing a virtuous cycle: Quality of governance, effective climate change mitigation, and just outcomes support each other
Abstract: Climate change mitigation is mostly assessed through the lens of technologies and policy instruments. However, governance and social capital are crucial factors in complex social systems and may be relevant in the formation of effective climate policies. Here, we investigate the role of quality of governance (QoG), social capital, and equality as preconditions for enacting climate policies. Relying on indicators of social systems at nation state level, we investigate relationships with Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) and Structural Equation Models (SEM). We find that quality of governance, measured as impartiality, underpins social capital and interpersonal trust, equality and effective climate mitigation policies, indicated by the level of carbon pricing. Impartiality and social capital are necessary conditions for climate policies. Socio-economic inequalities reduce trust and political engagement, and thus compromise the overarching goal of climate change mitigation. Evidence from complementary literature indicates that fairly implemented climate policies could foster a virtuous cycle that further improves quality of governance, and thus the capacity for implementing strong climate policies. Our results demonstrate that impartial governance and resulting social capital form the underpinnings of effective climate policies.