Ability of Global Actors

Question 1

UN

Answer 1

Willingness – High
Capacity – High in creating a global effort, unable to directly form its own mitigation efforts.
Challenges – Relies on states to make their own NDCs which they can not impose consequences for failing or not setting ambitious enough goals.
Effectiveness – Ultimately not very effective in overcoming climate change, as states tend to prioritise their own economic interests over global issues

Question 2

Brazil

Answer 2

Willingness – High
The planet is “tired of unfulfilled climate agreements.”
Capacity – High (Raising lots of money in renewables and forming new technology.)
Challenges – Illegal cattle ranching leads to deforestation of the Amazon.
Effectiveness – Quite effective despite being ranked insufficient by CAT.

Question 3

Australia

Answer 3

Willingness – Moderate, awkwardly trying to balance economic and security interests as climate change has been deemed a “national security issue.”
* “The clock keeps ticking relentlessly on climate change – a threat with serious direct implications for the security and wellbeing of Australians and our region.” (Anthony Albanese, 2022)

Capacity – Moderate
Challenges – Economic dependence on the export of coal.
Effectiveness – Ultimately not effective as their efforts in renewable industry is undermined by their coal expansion/industry.

Question 4

Extinction Rebellion

Answer 4

Willingness – High
Capacity – Small
Challenges – Balancing the extent of protests to engage positive public opinion and the difficulty of influencing government organisations.
Effectiveness – Somewhat effective, hasn’t had extreme impact directly on policy but has been instrumental in raising awareness having over 250,000 members worldwide. Causes negative perception of climate movement, west gate bridge labelled as “disgraceful, absolutely disgraceful” by deputy prime minister Michael McCormack.

Question 5

USA

Answer 5

Willingness – Inexistent under Trump’s administration
Capacity – Significantly high
Challenges – Reliance on fossil fuels, in 2021 approximately 79% of USA’s energy came from fossil fuels.
Effectiveness – Very low due to a lack of effort from president Trump.