Behind the Targets? The Case for Coherence in a Multi-Scalar Approach to Carbon Action Plans in the Transport Sector
Open Access
- 25 June 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by MDPI AG in Sustainability
- Vol. 13 (13), 7122
- https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137122
Abstract
The Paris Agreement requires radical action across all policy sectors and at all scales of government. This paper argues that without a clear framework for sectoral budget setting which takes account of interactions across spatial scales, incoherent and inadequate policy responses will result. Using a case study of the transport sector within the UK, which has committed to a zero carbon pathway in law, we look at three key elements which have to be considered in setting out a new framework: budget coherence, accounting coherence and policy coherence. Using top-down and bottom-up examples emerging from practices today in the UK, we demonstrate that there are no ‘optimal’ solutions but a set of choices, all of which appear to be better than the patchwork of approaches emerging in the absence of a framework. A multi-scalar approach is essential as transport crosses spatial boundaries and the policy system places different levers at different scales. Transparency will be beneficial for honesty with the public and the difficult politics this rapid transition necessitates. It will also mitigate against blame shifting across governments between and within scales and the resultant inaction which characterized the previous decade of supposed ‘climate action’.Keywords
Funding Information
- EPSRC (EP/S032002/1, EP/R035288/1)
This publication has 27 references indexed in Scilit:
- A factor of two: how the mitigation plans of 'climate progressive' nations fall far short of Paris-compliant pathwaysClimate Policy, 2020
- Sectoral carbon budgets as an evaluation framework for the built environmentBuildings and Cities, 2020
- Carbon metrics for cities: production and consumption implications for policiesBuildings and Cities, 2020
- Low carbon cities in 2050? GHG emissions of European cities using production-based and consumption-based emission accounting methodsJournal of Cleaner Production, 2019
- Estimating and tracking the remaining carbon budget for stringent climate targetsNature, 2019
- Allocation of carbon emissions among industries/sectors: An emissions intensity reduction constrained approachJournal of Cleaner Production, 2017
- Symbolic Meta-Policy: (Not) Tackling Climate Change in the Transport SectorPolitical Studies, 2014
- Blame Games and Climate Change: Accountability, Multi-Level Governance and Carbon ManagementThe British Journal of Politics and International Relations, 2014
- Muddling through with climate change targets: a multi-level governance perspective on the transport sectorClimate Policy, 2013
- From long-term targets to cumulative emission pathways: Reframing UK climate policyEnergy Policy, 2008