A Framework for Understanding Institutional Governance Systems and Climate Change:: The Case of Australia

In this paper it is proposed that different institutional governance systems bring different climate change outcomes for nations. Furthermore, it is argued that these institutional governance systems impact on the ability of public policies, industries and corporations to adopt and transform their activities to meet issues associated with climate change. We propose that there is a relationship between different governance systems and climate change outcomes in terms of the institutional framework, policies developed, capabilities developed to innovate and speed of adaptation. The case of the Australian approach to climate change is used to highlight the responses that occur in political and institutional environments characterised by a plurality of actors and the difficulties associated with developing a coherent national response.