The new international politics of decarbonisation and climate preservation

This paper explores evolving international climate politics from a historical and comparative perspective.It argues that a core challenge in the new era of uncertain climate relations lies not in technical solutions but in the politicisation of climate policy coordination.The paper traces assumptions and limitations of international cooperation until the mid-2010s and the shift towards the more flexible Paris Agreement framework in 2015.It argues that this shift led countries to confront their political economies of climate action, with associated opportunities but also perils that have led to heightening politics against the Paris Agreement.To counter this backlash and support decarbonisation and adaptation efforts, the paper advocates for investing in state capacity to manage the social and economic disruption that the lack of climate policy -or, alternatively, an unregulated type of energy transition -will cause.The paper concludes by noting that the future of climate cooperation depends on navigating national political battles, which are unlikely to dissipate, and further linking the climate agenda with justice, growth, and democratic renewal.