The climate change multilevel and multistakeholders governance challenge in Brazil (the case of São Paulo State)

• Grant number: 19/14867-2
• Support Opportunities: Research Program on Global Climate Change - Regular Grants
• Duration: June 01, 2020 - May 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Sociology - Other specific Sociologies
• Principal Investigator: Leila da Costa Ferreira
• Grantee: Leila da Costa Ferreira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas (IFCH). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Fabiana Barbi Seleguim ; Gabriela Marques Di Giulio

Abstract

Most of the literature on climate policy is occupied by research on global and regional levels of governance, focusing on norms, rules and decision processes regarding the international climate regime (Betsill and Bulkeley, 2007; Okereke et al, 2009). Despite these necessary contributions, taking account the local dimension of the theme is also relevant, since most human activities that contribute to global climate changes take place at this level and, at the same time, this level is the most affected by the impacts of these changes (Storbjörk, 2007; Dodman, 2009; Satterthwaite, 2010; Hoornweg et al, 2011; Ferreira at ali, 2012; Barbi and Ferreira, 2013). This project will present and analyze the profile of policy responses in Brazilian national level and subnational governments to climate change and to what extent these policies dialogue at the different levels (federal, state and municipal) and across sectors and stakeholders. To achieve this goal, in addition to the relation between National Policy and State Policy, we will analyze in depth 5 case studies in Brazilian medium cities in São Paulo State. The project will investigate the following questions: What are the key actors that influence position of local vis-à-vis ambition level on adaptation under the Paris Agreement (e.g. government/state bureaucracy; business; civil society; political parties; 'policy entrepreneurs'), and what are their interests/incentives and normative orientations? What domestic and international factors (e.g. price signals, membership in 'international clubs', norms, and international incentives) affect positions of the actors and what are the key levers and barriers to ratcheting national ambition? What are the implications for governance of ambition, i.e. ability of cities to take strategic decisions in respect to ratchet of ambition and to coordinate/mobilize action from other actors? What is the potential for transformative partnerships for raising ambition? The aim of this project is to add to the literature on subnational political strategies regarding climate change by presenting a detailed case study aimed at the analysis of climate change subnational actions in Brazil, mainly in São Paulo State. The particular focus of attention is the analysis of how Brazilian municipal and state governments have developed and implemented climate change mitigation and adaptation public policies. (AU)