Designing a virtuous cycle: Quality of governance, effective climate change mitigation, and just outcomes support each other

Climate change mitigation is mostly assessed through the lens of technologies and policy instruments. However, governance and social capital are crucial factors in complex social systems and may be relevant in the formation of effective climate policies. Here, we investigate the role of quality of governance (QoG), social capital, and equality as preconditions for enacting climate policies. Relying on indicators of social systems at nation state level, we investigate relationships with Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) and Structural Equation Models (SEM). We find that quality of governance, measured as impartiality, underpins social capital and interpersonal trust, equality and effective climate mitigation policies, indicated by the level of carbon pricing. Impartiality and social capital are necessary conditions for climate policies. Socio-economic inequalities reduce trust and political engagement, and thus compromise the overarching goal of climate change mitigation. Evidence from complementary literature indicates that fairly implemented climate policies could foster a virtuous cycle that further improves quality of governance, and thus the capacity for implementing strong climate policies. Our results demonstrate that impartial governance and resulting social capital form the underpinnings of effective climate policies.

Automated summary

Climate change mitigation is often evaluated based on technologies and policy instruments, but the role of governance and social capital in complex social systems should not be overlooked. This study explores the importance of quality of governance, social capital, and equality as prerequisites for effective climate policies. By analyzing national-level indicators of social systems with Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) and Structural Equation Models (SEM), we find that impartiality in governance is crucial for fostering social capital, interpersonal trust, equality, and effective climate policies such as carbon pricing. Socio-economic inequalities can undermine trust and political engagement, posing challenges to achieving the overarching goal of climate change mitigation. However, evidence suggests that fairly implemented climate policies can contribute to a virtuous cycle by improving the quality of governance and strengthening the capacity to implement strong climate policies. Our findings highlight the significance of impartial governance and social capital in driving effective climate policies.