The climate change policy network in Germany

Article abstract:

Germany is frequently perceived as a forerunner in environmental policy, particularly since the change of government in 1998. The authors contribute to the debate on capacities for environmental policy by explaining this position with reference to the configuration of actors in the German policy network. The paper describes and analyses the policy network that determines the national position in international climate change negotiations. It asks what activities have been performed by the members of this network regarding the introduction of eco-taxation, analyses what resources the various organisations dispose of and considers how far the organisations are interrelated when it comes to the exchange of information, cooperation and opposition. The authors conclude that NGOs are well integrated despite their comparably low financial resources, that the network is not fragmented and that coalitions are possible among the different types of actor. This may contribute to an explanation of the German position; however, they also conclude that comparative research is needed.