Cities' engagement in global climate change politics.

Abstract

Traditionally, nation-states have been regarded as the primary actors in international relations, wielding political authority and sovereignty. However, cities are increasingly at the forefront of climate change initiatives, forming transnational partnerships to pursue collective environmental goals. This dissertation examines why some cities bypass nation-states to engage directly in global climate change efforts. It addresses three critical research questions: When and why do certain cities join specific Environmental Transnational Municipal Networks (ETMNs) to address climate change? Under what conditions do cities actively leverage ETMNs to combat climate change after making a commitment? How do nation-states respond to cities' involvement in international politics through ETMNs? A key argument of this dissertation is that climate vulnerability alone does not drive cities to join ETMNs; instead, for cities, political orientation, geographic factors, and strategic incentives like global reputation play a more significant role. Furthermore, the timing of a city's decision to participate is shaped more by the persuasive efforts of influential actors and the strength of their networking efforts than by purely economic considerations. Once cities join ETMNs, the proactive leadership of dedicated public servants proves to be a decisive factor in sustaining engagement, ensuring continuity and progress despite systemic challenges. Methodologically, this dissertation employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative analysis of U.S. and South Korean cities with in-depth qualitative case studies of South Korean municipalities. This research also contrasts nations’ responses to municipal engagement in ETMNs, demonstrating through case studies of South Korea, the United States, Belgium, and Spain how governance structures shape cities' diplomatic autonomy. In federal systems like the United States and Belgium, cities are often empowered to pursue climate initiatives autonomously, while centralized states like South Korea impose more restrictive paradigms. For instance, South Korean cities face bureaucratic obstacles that highlight the tensions between local aspirations and the centralized authority of the state, whereas Belgian regions are equipped to represent local climate priorities independently, illustrating the enabling role of federal frameworks. Ultimately, this dissertation contributes to urban climate governance by identifying the conditions that enable or constrain cities within ETMNs and emphasizing the need for multilevel governance that fosters collaboration across local, national, and transnational platforms to address global climate challenges effectively.