'Good' carbon governance : a multilevel and comparative perspective of clean energy investment through the clean development mechanism

The catastrophic consequences of climate change pose ecological and humanitarian challenges on an unprecedented scale. In response, multilevel structures of governance are emerging at the international, regional and national levels. One such example is the market-based Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), an international regime which is implemented at the national level (largely by the private sector). With the international (and national) frameworks for ongoing climate change action currently under review for further development, now is an appropriate time to consider this ‘new mode’ of governance and, with a view using experience to date to inform future developments, develop ways to assess it. Using the CDM as a case study in ‘carbon governance’, this dissertation explores the nature of ‘good’ carbon governance worldwide. The conceptual framework employed uses an interdisciplinary study of regimes to deconstruct the separate yet interconnected ‘carbon regimes’ which govern the CDM. In considering the international regime in addition to the key national regimes of the European Union, the United Kingdom, China, India and Brazil, the legal and policy space occupied by carbon governance is mapped and assessed against four conceptual elements: theoretical effectiveness, the extent to which regimes enable investment, the extent to which regimes promote ‘climate justice’ (through sustainable development), and the level of cooperation between regimes.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo