Recognizing and responding to the non-partisan needs of parliamentarians tackling climate change is an important part of accelerating action on climate change and the “clean revolution”. The GLOBE Climate Legislation Initiative (GCLI) has arisen alongside the “Durban Platform” to support legislators in advancing national legislation on climate change. The 1st Globe Climate Legislation Study (2010) examined climate-related legislation in 16 major economies. The 2nd (2011) included Australia. The recently released 3rd Globe Climate Legislation Study (2012) now includes 33 countries, with an ever-growing roster of developing countries leading on climate-related legislation, particularly in the realm of adaptation. The report includes 17 of the top 20 emitters of greenhouse gases and 24 of the top 50, representing over 85% of global emissions. GLOBE’s goal is to establish baselines in order to monitor and measure progress between now and 2015. Supporting countries taking national legislative action on climate change is viewed as a “fundamental prerequisite” to preventing dangerous anthropogenic interference in the climate system. The legislative progress and clear advancement to date provides both optimism and considerable lessons and insights about the capacities of countries to change how things are done, while still being responsible to citizens and the global environment. Supporting and nurturing Parliamentarians taking a stand on climate change is a fundamental part of this equation.
Photo credit: Tom Littlemore