Publication:
A Polycentric Approach for Coping with Climate Change

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorOstrom, Elinor
dc.date.accessioned2012-03-19T19:13:18Z
dc.date.available2012-03-19T19:13:18Z
dc.date.issued2009-10-01
dc.description.abstractThis paper proposes an alternative approach to addressing the complex problems of climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions. The author, who won the 2009 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, argues that single policies adopted only at a global scale are unlikely to generate sufficient trust among citizens and firms so that collective action can take place in a comprehensive and transparent manner that will effectively reduce global warming. Furthermore, simply recommending a single governmental unit to solve global collective action problems is inherently weak because of free-rider problems. For example, the Carbon Development Mechanism (CDM) can be gamed in ways that hike up prices of natural resources and in some cases can lead to further natural resource exploitation. Some flaws are also noticeable in the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (REDD) program. Both the CDM and REDD are vulnerable to the free-rider problem. As an alternative, the paper proposes a polycentric approach at various levels with active oversight of local, regional, and national stakeholders. Efforts to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions are a classic collective action problem that is best addressed at multiple scales and levels. Given the slowness and conflict involved in achieving a global solution to climate change, recognizing the potential for building a more effective way of reducing green house gas emissions at multiple levels is an important step forward. A polycentric approach has the main advantage of encouraging experimental efforts at multiple levels, leading to the development of methods for assessing the benefits and costs of particular strategies adopted in one type of ecosystem and compared to results obtained in other ecosystems. Building a strong commitment to find ways of reducing individual emissions is an important element for coping with this problem, and having others also take responsibility can be more effectively undertaken in small- to medium-scale governance units that are linked together through information networks and monitoring at all levels. This paper was prepared as a background paper for the 2010 World Development Report on Climate Change.en
dc.identifierhttp://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?menuPK=64187510&pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&siteName=WDS&entityID=000158349_20091026142624
dc.identifier.doi10.1596/1813-9450-5095
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10986/4287
dc.languageEnglish
dc.relation.ispartofseriesPolicy Research working paper ; no. WPS 5095
dc.rightsCC BY 3.0 IGO
dc.rights.holderWorld Bank
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo/
dc.subjectABATEMENT
dc.subjectADAPTATION FINANCING
dc.subjectAFFORESTATION
dc.subjectAFFORESTATION EFFORTS
dc.subjectAIR
dc.subjectAIR POLLUTANTS
dc.subjectAIR POLLUTION
dc.subjectAIR QUALITY
dc.subjectAIR QUALITY STANDARDS
dc.subjectALLOWANCE
dc.subjectALTERNATIVE ENERGY
dc.subjectATMOSPHERE
dc.subjectAUCTION
dc.subjectAUTOMOBILE
dc.subjectAUTOMOBILE USE
dc.subjectBICYCLE PATHS
dc.subjectBIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION
dc.subjectBUS
dc.subjectCAPITAL INVESTMENTS
dc.subjectCAR
dc.subjectCARBON
dc.subjectCARBON ACCOUNTING
dc.subjectCARBON CREDITS
dc.subjectCARBON DIOXIDE
dc.subjectCARBON ECONOMY
dc.subjectCARBON EMISSIONS
dc.subjectCARBON LEAKAGE
dc.subjectCARBON MARKET
dc.subjectCARBON NEUTRAL
dc.subjectCARBON OFFSETS
dc.subjectCARBON SEQUESTRATION
dc.subjectCARBON STORAGE
dc.subjectCARBON TRADING
dc.subjectCARS
dc.subjectCERTIFIED EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS
dc.subjectCHEMICAL INDUSTRY
dc.subjectCHEMICALS
dc.subjectCLEAN DEVELOPMENT MECHANISM
dc.subjectCLEAN ENERGY
dc.subjectCLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES
dc.subjectCLIMATE
dc.subjectCLIMATE CHANGE
dc.subjectCLIMATE CHANGE ISSUES
dc.subjectCLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION
dc.subjectCLIMATE POLICY
dc.subjectCLIMATE PROTECTION
dc.subjectCLIMATE SCIENCE
dc.subjectCLIMATE SCIENTISTS
dc.subjectCLOUD COVER
dc.subjectCO2
dc.subjectCOAL
dc.subjectCOMMON PROPERTY
dc.subjectCONGESTION
dc.subjectCONGESTION CHARGE
dc.subjectCOST SAVINGS
dc.subjectCRITICAL SURVEY
dc.subjectCROSSING
dc.subjectDEBT
dc.subjectDECISION MAKING
dc.subjectDEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS
dc.subjectDISCOUNT RATES
dc.subjectDRIVING
dc.subjectECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
dc.subjectECOLOGICAL OUTCOMES
dc.subjectECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS
dc.subjectECONOMIC BEHAVIOR
dc.subjectECONOMIC CONDITIONS
dc.subjectECONOMIC COSTS
dc.subjectECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
dc.subjectECONOMIC INSTRUMENTS
dc.subjectECONOMIC MODELS
dc.subjectECONOMIC PROBLEMS
dc.subjectECONOMIC THEORY
dc.subjectECONOMICS
dc.subjectECONOMIES OF SCALE
dc.subjectECONOMISTS
dc.subjectECOSYSTEM
dc.subjectEFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS
dc.subjectELECTRICITY
dc.subjectELECTRICITY USE
dc.subjectEMISSION
dc.subjectEMISSION ALLOWANCES
dc.subjectEMISSION TRENDS
dc.subjectEMISSIONS FROM DEFORESTATION
dc.subjectEMPIRICAL RESEARCH
dc.subjectEMPIRICAL STUDIES
dc.subjectENERGY CONSUMPTION
dc.subjectENERGY COSTS
dc.subjectENERGY EFFICIENCY
dc.subjectENERGY PRODUCTION
dc.subjectENERGY TAXES
dc.subjectENERGY USE
dc.subjectENTITLEMENTS
dc.subjectENVIRONMENTAL
dc.subjectENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS
dc.subjectENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
dc.subjectENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES
dc.subjectENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS
dc.subjectENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS
dc.subjectENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
dc.subjectENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
dc.subjectEQUILIBRIUM
dc.subjectEVAPOTRANSPIRATION
dc.subjectEXPENDITURES
dc.subjectEXPLOITATION
dc.subjectEXTERNAL COSTS
dc.subjectEXTERNALITIES
dc.subjectEXTREME EVENTS
dc.subjectFARMS
dc.subjectFISH
dc.subjectFISHERIES
dc.subjectFISHERIES MANAGEMENT
dc.subjectFISHERS
dc.subjectFISHING
dc.subjectFLEETS
dc.subjectFOREST
dc.subjectFOREST CARBON
dc.subjectFOREST COMMUNITY
dc.subjectFOREST CONDITIONS
dc.subjectFOREST DEGRADATION
dc.subjectFOREST ECOLOGY
dc.subjectFOREST ECOSYSTEMS
dc.subjectFOREST FIRES
dc.subjectFOREST MANAGEMENT
dc.subjectFOREST OWNERSHIP
dc.subjectFOREST PEOPLE
dc.subjectFOREST PRODUCTION
dc.subjectFOREST PRODUCTS
dc.subjectFOREST RESOURCES
dc.subjectFOREST SECTOR
dc.subjectFORESTRY
dc.subjectFORESTS
dc.subjectFOSSIL FUELS
dc.subjectFRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE
dc.subjectFREE RIDERS
dc.subjectFUEL
dc.subjectGLACIERS
dc.subjectGLOBAL ATMOSPHERE
dc.subjectGLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE
dc.subjectGLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE PROBLEM
dc.subjectGLOBAL EMISSIONS
dc.subjectGLOBAL GREENHOUSE
dc.subjectGLOBAL GREENHOUSE GAS
dc.subjectGLOBAL GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
dc.subjectGLOBAL WARMING
dc.subjectGREEN HOUSE GAS
dc.subjectGREEN HOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
dc.subjectGREENHOUSE
dc.subjectGREENHOUSE GAS
dc.subjectGREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION
dc.subjectGREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
dc.subjectGREENHOUSE GASES
dc.subjectGREENHOUSE GASES EMISSIONS
dc.subjectHEATING SYSTEMS
dc.subjectHIGH OCCUPANCY TOLL
dc.subjectHOUSEHOLD BUDGETS
dc.subjectHOUSEHOLD ENERGY
dc.subjectHUMAN BEHAVIOR
dc.subjectIMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
dc.subjectINCOME
dc.subjectIRON
dc.subjectJOBS
dc.subjectLAND ECONOMICS
dc.subjectLOW-CARBON
dc.subjectLOWER COSTS
dc.subjectMARKET ECONOMIES
dc.subjectMASS TRANSIT
dc.subjectNATURAL RESOURCES
dc.subjectOCEANS
dc.subjectOIL
dc.subjectPARTICULATE
dc.subjectPARTICULATE MATTER
dc.subjectPARTICULATES
dc.subjectPERFECT INFORMATION
dc.subjectPERVERSE SUBSIDIES
dc.subjectPHOTOVOLTAICS
dc.subjectPOLICY ANALYSIS
dc.subjectPOLICY MAKERS
dc.subjectPOLLUTION LEVELS
dc.subjectPORTFOLIO
dc.subjectPOWER GENERATION
dc.subjectPOWER SECTOR
dc.subjectPRIVATE COSTS
dc.subjectPRIVATE GOODS
dc.subjectPRODUCERS
dc.subjectPRODUCTION COSTS
dc.subjectPRODUCTION FUNCTIONS
dc.subjectPRODUCTION PROCESSES
dc.subjectPROPERTY OWNERS
dc.subjectPUBLIC GOOD
dc.subjectPUBLIC GOODS
dc.subjectPUBLIC SAFETY
dc.subjectQUALITY STANDARDS
dc.subjectQUOTAS
dc.subjectREBATES
dc.subjectRECYCLING
dc.subjectREDUCING EMISSIONS
dc.subjectREDUCTION IN EMISSIONS
dc.subjectREGIONAL GREENHOUSE GAS INITIATIVE
dc.subjectRENEWABLE ENERGY
dc.subjectRESEARCH AGENDA
dc.subjectRESOURCE MANAGEMENT
dc.subjectRESOURCE USE
dc.subjectRETROFITTING
dc.subjectRIDER
dc.subjectRURAL COMMUNITIES
dc.subjectSEA LEVELS
dc.subjectSOLAR POWER
dc.subjectSTORMS
dc.subjectTAX
dc.subjectTECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE
dc.subjectTIMBER
dc.subjectTRADEOFFS
dc.subjectTRAFFIC
dc.subjectTRAFFIC FLOW
dc.subjectTRAFFIC LEVELS
dc.subjectTRAGEDY OF THE COMMONS
dc.subjectTRANSPORT
dc.subjectTRANSPORT SECTOR
dc.subjectTRANSPORTATION
dc.subjectTRANSPORTATION COSTS
dc.subjectTRANSPORTATION RESEARCH
dc.subjectTRAVELERS
dc.subjectUNCERTAINTIES
dc.subjectVEHICLE
dc.subjectVEHICLE LANES
dc.subjectVEHICLE TRIPS
dc.subjectVEHICLES
dc.subjectWASTE
dc.subjectWASTE DISPOSAL
dc.subjectWIND
dc.titleA Polycentric Approach for Coping with Climate Changeen
dspace.entity.typePublication
okr.crossref.titleA Polycentric Approach For Coping With Climate Change
okr.date.doiregistration2025-04-10T12:01:52.775108Z
okr.doctypePublications & Research::Policy Research Working Paper
okr.docurlhttp://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?menuPK=64187510&pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&siteName=WDS&entityID=000158349_20091026142624
okr.globalpracticeTransport and ICT
okr.guid480171468315567893
okr.identifier.doi10.1596/1813-9450-5095
okr.identifier.externaldocumentum000158349_20091026142624
okr.identifier.internaldocumentum11258388
okr.identifier.reportWPS5095
okr.language.supporteden
okr.pdfurlhttp://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2009/10/26/000158349_20091026142624/Rendered/PDF/WPS5095.pdfen
okr.region.administrativeWorld
okr.region.administrativeWorld
okr.topicTransport
okr.unitDevelopment Research Group (DECRG)
okr.volume1 of 1
relation.isSeriesOfPublication26e071dc-b0bf-409c-b982-df2970295c87
relation.isSeriesOfPublication.latestForDiscovery26e071dc-b0bf-409c-b982-df2970295c87
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
Thumbnail Image
Name:
WPS5095.pdf
Size:
662.42 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
WPS5095.txt
Size:
120.29 KB
Format:
Plain Text
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.71 KB
Format:
Plain Text
Description:
Download
Collections
Policy Research Working Papers