Learning Objectives
What Can Parliament Do for Climate Change?
After studying this unit, you should be able to:
- Understand the relevance of Parliament to climate change reform;
- Appreciate the importance of clear organizational structures and responsibilities in government in climate change efforts;
- Recognize how the different functions of Parliament can address climate change adaptation and mitigation;
- Understand certain challenges Parliament faces that are unique to climate change.
Introduction
Parliaments can engage in the climate change agenda at national, regional, and global levels. This Unit will focus on the role of parliament and domestic policies and programs as understanding parliament’s role in oversight, representation and legislation with regards to climate change will allow for examination of the relationship between parliament, climate change, and international stakeholders. Engagement in climate change reform is integral to parliament’s objectives to fight corruption and promote good governance. Climate change is a cross-cutting issue, affecting not only the environment, but society, food supply, socioeconomics, natural resources, and disaster risk reduction and responses. With development efforts linked to climate change, and climate change a significant barrier to sustainable development, parliament can address climate change through existing mechanisms of scrutiny and legislative processes. However, it is important to note that climate change is a unique issue since reform requires public acceptance and behavior change to succeed. Ultimately the power to mitigate and adapt to climate change lies with the public, but parliament plays an essential role in representing short and long-term interests, leading the public in change, promoting green policies, and holding the Executive accountable.
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