SUBNATIONAL CLIMATE GOVERNANCE IN THE UNITED STATES: CALIFORNIA’S ROLE IN ADVANCING GLOBAL CLIMATE GOALS
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Climate governance has traditionally been viewed as a domain of national governments and international institutions. However, in recent decades, subnational entities such as states and provinces have emerged as powerful actors in shaping climate policy and advancing global environmental objectives. The state of California stands at the forefront of this transformation. Through innovative legislation, market-based mechanisms, and international cooperation, California has positioned itself as a global model of subnational climate leadership. This article examines California’s legal and policy framework for climate governance, explores its interaction with international norms, and evaluates its influence on global sustainability goals. It argues that California’s proactive approach demonstrates the potential of decentralized governance to complement global climate efforts while highlighting the need for stronger coordination between state and federal authorities.
Article Details
References
1. United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Clean Air Act Overview, https://www.epa.gov/clean-air-act-overview
2. California Air Resources Board (CARB), Cap-and-Trade Program Overview, https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/cap-and-trade-program
Under2 Coalition, About the Coalition, https://www.under2coalition.org/
3. Safoev, S. (2025). International Climate Change Law: Evolving Legal Frameworks and Future Directions. Journal of Multidisciplinary Bulletin, 8(9), 25–29.
4. Safoev, S. (2025). Legal Innovation in Environmental Policy: A Comparative Study of the United States and Uzbekistan. American Journal of Education and Learning, 3(9), 16–20.
5. Safoev, S. (2024). Laws on Green Energy and Climate Change. American Journal of Education and Learning, 2(5), 470–474.
6. UNFCCC, The Paris Agreement, https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement
7. The State of California, International Partnerships for Climate Action, https://www.climatechange.ca.gov/
8. UNEP, Environmental Rule of Law: First Global Report (2019), https://www.unep.org/resources/report/environmental-rule-law-first-global-report
9. Esty, D. (2019). Redesigning Environmental Governance: Lessons from the United States and Beyond. Yale Journal on Regulation, 36(3), 471–512.