Challenge

© Mark Henley/Panos

The climate is warming to the point where extreme weather is occurring. We're rapidly approaching tipping points that could lead to irreversible melting of the Greenland ice sheet and die-back of forests. 

Solving global-commons issues like climate change, fisheries, and biodiversity loss requires concerted action, including at the global level. Yet there has been no progress recently towards effective global agreements. Regardless of the evidence and dire warnings, politicians are giving these issues low priority. This is despite the fact that the technologies to solve the problems are typically either already available or likely to be soon enough.

There's a range of reasons for this, including: vested interests; pressure for development; lack of confidence in solutions; economic drivers such as cheap fossil fuels; and avoiding uncomfortable truths. 

The trend towards bilateral or so-called minilateral action might create new momentum but on its own will not be enough.

There's potential for change through businesses, markets and voluntary efforts. But there needs to be much greater political action across the political spectrum at city, national and global level. Otherwise the transition to a low-carbon society will be far too slow to avoid temperature increases of 4 degrees or more. 

However, it's not yet clear what interventions would produce widespread political action on climate change and other global environmental issues, including in governance regimes.

Research questions

• How can we break the barriers to political action on things like climate mitigation - particularly in developed countries?
• Is privatising natural resources a barrier or an opportunity? If it's a barrier, how can we reverse the trend towards it?
• Do we need to change the goals we set for politics - for example, by recognising the rights of future generations?

Use of the research

Campaigning by Friends of the Earth and other non-governmental organisations on global commons issues is not creating the momentum that will ensure societies live within environmental limits. We clearly need a change in approach. This research will suggest alternatives which Friends of the Earth will look at with sister groups in Friends of the Earth International and other non-governmental organisations. It has the potential to lead to a significant change in campaigning approach.