Publication

This publication contends that while the Paris Agreement finally became operational in December 2018, two political developments have cast a shadow over its implementation: the rise of right-wing populism and emerging multipolar competition. While right-wing populism often frames climate change as an elite agenda, increasing competition among great powers is rendering multilateral cooperation more difficult. The text’s author concludes that with the Paris Agreement in place, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) can provide a long-awaited legal framework for national climate contributions. However, it will not be able to increase the ambition of national climate policies via multilateral negotiations.