Intergovernmental relations have a significant role in explaining climate change policy positions within multilevel states as this policy area is often characterised by a significant degree of overlapping or division in domestic authority. My project seeks to explain how intergovernmental relations effects climate change policy in multilevel states by examining the significance of constitutional arrangements, political party dynamics and intergovernmental forums. I will be using a sequential comparative case study design with mixed methods, including semi-structured interviews, policy documents, survey data and official statistics.

This project will primarily contribute towards the literature of Comparative Federalism, especially as the analysis will be applied across different constitutional contexts, with the UK, Spain and Belgium chosen as case studies. The empirical findings will be used to provide policy recommendations for improving the institutional provisions for intergovernmental cooperation on climate change mitigation and adaptation policies.