From E-waste Regulation to Climate Action: a Conceptual Framework of Legal Effectiveness, Regulatory Compliance, and Climate Governance
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Electronic waste (e-waste) continues to grow in volume, raising concerns for environmental protection and climate change mitigation. Legal and regulatory measures govern its collection, recycling, treatment, disposal, transboundary movement and producer responsibility. Yet their existence does not necessarily ensure effective implementation, regulatory compliance or alignment with climate objectives. While the literature addresses these issues, it pays far less attention to how environmental legal framework effectiveness, regulatory compliance, and climate governance might work together. This paper examines that relationship and considers regulatory compliance as a potential mediating mechanism between environmental legal framework effectiveness and climate governance. To develop the framework, relevant multidisciplinary studies were identified through Scopus and reviewed using a narrative approach, followed by integrative thematic analysis. Four broad dimensions emerged from the literature: legal effectiveness, implementation and compliance, governance capacity, and the integration of e-waste regulation with climate and circular economy objectives. Drawing on Responsive Regulation Theory, the framework proposes that effective legal and institutional arrangements may encourage compliance, reflected in responsible e-waste practices that may, in turn, contribute to climate-responsive governance. It also recognises a potential direct relationship between environmental legal framework effectiveness and climate governance. Theoretically, the framework brings the three constructs into a single explanatory model and extends Responsive Regulation Theory to the broader climate-governance implications of compliant e-waste practices. Practically, it highlights the importance of effective implementation, monitoring, institutional coordination, stakeholder accountability, and climate-responsive regulatory design. As these relationships remain theoretical, the framework provides a basis for future empirical research into whether, and under what conditions, effective e-waste regulation and sustained compliance contribute to broader climate governance objectives.
Institution: Universiti Teknologi MARA
Language: English
Subfield: Waste Management and Disposal
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7215935149