Overview of the Global Climate Governance Network

Arun Kelshiker

20 years: Asset management and stewardship

In this video, Arun unpacks the concept of multilevel climate governance and why it is essential for tackling the climate crisis. He explains how international bodies, national governments, local authorities, businesses, civil society, and academia all play interconnected roles in shaping climate action from global negotiations like COP to local implementation on the ground.

Regulation and Initiatives

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Overview of the Global Climate Governance Network

5 mins 27 secs

Key learning objectives:

Understand the concept of multilevel climate governance and why it is necessary
Identify the main actors involved and the roles they play in decision-making
Outline the benefits of multilevel governance for coherence, collaboration, and accountability

Overview:

Multilevel climate governance brings together governments, international bodies, businesses, civil society, and academia to coordinate action across global, national, and local levels. It operates through both formal negotiations, such as UNFCCC-led COP meetings, and informal processes that shape climate policy and practice. Each actor plays a distinct role: states set policy, local governments implement change, the private sector shifts production and energy systems, civil society channels community voices, and academia provides research and education. By integrating perspectives and responsibilities across levels, multilevel governance builds coherence, collaboration, and accountability in tackling climate change.

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Summary

What is multilevel climate governance and why does it matter?

Multilevel climate governance is the interconnected system of negotiations, decisions, and actions across international, national, regional, and local levels. Climate change has global causes but local consequences, requiring cooperation that transcends borders and scales. This governance system ensures that strategies are not fragmented but aligned, creating space for diverse actors to contribute knowledge, resources, and accountability. Its importance lies in promoting adaptive, flexible approaches that match the complexity of climate risks while ensuring actions remain grounded in both science and local realities.

Who are the main actors and what roles do they play?

The UNFCCC anchors global negotiations, sets objectives, and maintains commitments such as NDCs. National governments shape policies and regulations, with negotiators like ministers representing state priorities in forums like COP. Local governments translate international goals into practical community-level actions. The private sector, as the largest emitter, has responsibility and leverage to change production and energy systems. Civil society represents citizens’ rights, values, and local knowledge, pushing for fair and inclusive solutions. Academia contributes evidence, research, and educational capacity to inform and strengthen decisions. Together, these actors ensure climate governance is inclusive and effective.

What are the benefits of multilevel climate governance?

It creates alignment between policies at different levels of government, reducing contradictions and gaps
By fostering collaboration among governments, businesses, NGOs, and researchers, it encourages innovation and joint problem-solving
It integrates diverse perspectives, from technical expertise to lived community experience, making solutions more robust and socially grounded
The process also establishes shared objectives, monitoring tools, and accountability structures, ensuring that actions can be tracked and adapted over time

Ultimately, multilevel governance enhances cooperation, clarity of roles, and coherence in global climate action, increasing the likelihood of meaningful and sustained progress.

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Arun Kelshiker

Arun Kelshiker was formerly the Head of Asset Allocation and Portfolio Strategy at Standard Chartered Bank and part of the bank's Global Investment Committee, where he provided investment advisory and multi-asset portfolio solutions. His focus is now with Cambridge Sustainable Investment Partners, which draws its expertise from the Resilience and Sustainable Development Centre at Cambridge University. He is also a university lecturer at the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management and is Vice Chair of the CFA UK's Inclusion and Diversity Committee and its Investment Committee.

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