from International Institutions and Global Governance Program and Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies

Harnessing International Institutions to Address Climate Change

March 25, 2010

Download PDF
Report

More on:

Climate Change

International Organizations

Overview

Most discussions about using international institutions to address climate change focus narrowly on the work of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. However, many other international institutions also have a significant role to play in mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change. This paper, sponsored by CFR's International Institutions and Global Governance program, examines the existing climate-related efforts and capabilities, as well as the future potential, of a variety of international institutions, including those that deal with environment, energy, and economics. While there are still major shortfalls, the paper argues that there is significant existing institutional capacity to draw from in addressing climate change.

More on:

Climate Change

International Organizations

Explore More on Climate Change

United Nations

The Role of the UN Secretary-General
The United Nations’ top leadership position has broad authority to steer the organization’s agenda, but its impact has varied widely since 1946.

Backgrounder by CFR.org Editors September 15, 2022

United Nations

The Role of the UN General Assembly
The UN General Assembly hosts a much-watched debate of world leaders each year but has struggled to make its work more substantive.

Backgrounder by CFR.org Editors September 7, 2022

World Trade Organization (WTO)

What’s Next for the WTO?
In the wake of President Trump’s combative approach to trade, and with major negotiations stalled, the future of global trade rules is in doubt.  

Backgrounder by James McBride and Anshu Siripurapu June 10, 2022 Renewing America

Top Stories on CFR

Russia

Does Putin’s Gamble Make Russia’s War in Ukraine More Dangerous?
Russia’s moves to mobilize thousands more troops and to annex more of Ukraine’s territory signal a new, potentially more dangerous phase of the war.

In Brief by Thomas Graham September 21, 2022

China

China’s Repression of Uyghurs in Xinjiang
More than a million Muslims have been arbitrarily detained in China’s Xinjiang region. The reeducation camps are just one part of the government’s crackdown on Uyghurs.

Backgrounder by Lindsay Maizland September 22, 2022

Brazil

Brazil’s Global Ambitions
Brazil has long sought a greater role on the world stage, but political upheaval and other enduring challenges have complicated its efforts.

Backgrounder by Diana Roy September 19, 2022