International Climate Law and National Compliance Mechanisms: a Comparative Study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: International climate law has become a central component of global environmental governance, establishing common objectives and procedural obligations for states to address climate change. However, the effectiveness of international commitments depends largely on how they are incorporated into national legal systems and implemented through domestic institutions. This article examines the relationship between international climate obligations and national compliance mechanisms, with particular attention to the Paris Agreement, the European Union’s climate governance framework, and the United Kingdom’s Climate Change Act 2008. It compares the legal instruments, institutional arrangements, monitoring procedures, and accountability mechanisms used in these systems. The study argues that effective climate compliance requires more than formal ratification of international agreements: it also depends on measurable targets, transparent reporting, independent oversight, consistent enforcement, and public participation. The article concludes that a combination of international transparency procedures and strong domestic legal institutions offers the most promising approach to improving implementation and strengthening climate accountability.
Language: English
Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7225627823
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