Bridging the Gap: Non-state Actors’ Crucial Role in Shaping the Future of the Paris Agreement

Soyun Kim, Korea International School Jeju
Volume9 nos.1 February 2025 ISSN 2755-3272

Keywords

Paris Agreement, Non-state actors, Conference of Parties (COP), Climate governance, Global climate policy

Abstract

This research takes a look into how non-state actors might affect the Paris Agreement if they were to be included in the Conference of Parties. The primary objective is to analyze two case studies of influential non-state actors to prove the hypothesis that non-state actors’ contributions will aid states in meeting the goal of the Paris Agreement. Based on the analysis, it appears that the intervention of non-state actors will assist countries in fulfilling the main objective of the Paris Agreement. Additionally, the paper suggests adapting a practical mechanism from one of the case studies evaluated, “C40 Cities.” These findings underscore that the active participation of non-state actors is essential and needs a clear United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.