Networks of subnational entities in governance for sustainable developmentAn assessment

Sander HappaertsInstitute for International and European Policy

Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studieslunch seminar 27 May 2009

Content

• Introducing the topic

• Inter-subnational networks: conceptual framework

• Illustration: ENCORE and nrg4SD

• A member’s experience: Flanders

• Future perspectives

Introducing the topic

• Increasing agency of subnational entities in global governance

• Subnational entities in governance for SD– Important role

• Implementation responsibilities• Often far-reaching competences• Closeness to citizens and stakeholders

– Interested in multilateral policy processes! not recognized as decision-makers

– Complexity and uncertainty → desire for policy learning

Introducing the topic (2)

- lack of representation in multilateral bodies

- desire for policy learning ↓Inter-subnational networks

“associations formed between subnational entities of different states whose ultimate purpose is to act as pressure groups in multilateral institutions, and foster cooperation based upon common interests, needs and aspirations” (adapted from Sodupe, 1999, p. 62)

→ External vs internal dimension

External dimension• A direct route to multilateral decision-making• Identity politics

Development of an international image

• European perspective: New RegionalismFormal vs informal mechanismsCooperation encouraged by European Commission

• Recently: activity at global level• Influence?

Conceptual framework

INTRA-STATE EXTRA-STATE

INTRA-EUROPEAN MULTI-LEVEL ROUTE EUROPEAN ROUTE

EXTRA-EUROPEAN NATIONAL ROUTE DIRECT ROUTE

→ External vs internal dimension

External dimension• A direct route to multilateral decision-making• Identity politics

Development of an international image

• European perspective: New RegionalismFormal vs informal mechanismsCooperation encouraged by European Commission

• Recently: activity at global level• Influence?

Conceptual framework

Conceptual framework (2)

Internal dimension• Joint approach to common problems

1970s: cross-border cooperation

Later: shared political or economic interests

• Policy learning, best practices

• Bilateral partnerships

• Networking, informal cooperatione.g. coordinating for Council of Ministers

Inter-subnational networks and SD

regional-European scope global scope

no specific SD attention

ECREIN (Eur. Clusters and Regions for Eco-innovation & Eco-investments Network)

IRE (Innovating Regions in Europe)

REGLEG (Conference of European Regions with Legislative Powers)

AIRF (Association Internationale des Régions Francophones)

SD attention or activities

AER (Assembly of European Regions)

CPMR (Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions in Europe)

Four Motors for Europe

specific SD component

ENCORE (Environmental Conference of the European Regions)

exclusive SD focus

RES (Network of European Regions on Education for Sustainability)

SER (Sustainable European Regions)

nrg4SD (Network of Regional Governments for SD)

ENCORE

Environmental Conference of the European Regions

Creation• 1993, by Walloon government

Goals• Discussion forum for subnational Environment ministers• Influencing EU environmental policy • Larger role for subnational entities in policy-making and

implementation

ENCORE (2)

Organization• 2-yearly ministerial conference• Rotating presidency and secretariat• Steering group

Membership• Not formalized, no obligations• Broad participation• Since 2001: new EU MSs

ENCORE (3)

Activities• High-level conference

subnational ministers, European Commissioner, EU officials

• Resolutions, action plans• Since 2004: thematic working groups• Information-sharing• Informal cooperation

nrg4SD

Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development

Creation• 2002, Johannesburg

Goals• Representing subnational entities at the global level,

expressing their viewpoint in global governance for SD• International recognition for the role of subnational

entities• Information-sharing, partnerships• Promoting SD at the subnational level • North-South relations

nrg4SD (2)

Organization• 2 co-chairs• Secretariat and continental focal points• Steering committee• Annual general assembly• 3-yearly summit

Membership• 29 subnational entities• 7 associations• 2 ‘stakeholders’

nrg4SD (3)

nrg4SD (4)

Activities• Accreditation (UNFCCC, UNEP, UNCSD)• Policy papers, declarations• Information-sharing, best practices• Partnerships• Informal cooperation

Flanders

Participation• Desired partner• General policy line: proactive presence

↔ for SD: low political investment• nrg4SD

– Co-founder– Initially: active – Since 2007: growing scepticism

• ENCORE– Initially: low profile– 2008: first ministerial presence

• Future?

Flanders (2)

Policy impact• Bilateral partnerships (with privileged EU partners, e.g. Basque

Country, Catalonia, Lombardia, North Rhine-Westphalia, Wales)

• Informal cooperation (e.g. Austrian and German Länder)

Evaluation• External dimension

– Opportunities of extra-state route are not exploited– Importance of identity politics

• Internal dimension– Networking and bilateral cooperation with European partners– Policy learning?

Future perspectives

• Growing cooperation and interdependence between networkse.g. FOGAR (Forum of Global Associations of Regions)

• Increasing cooperation with other actors– Intergovernmental, e.g. UNDP, UNEP– Non-governmental, e.g. Climate Group

• Debate: state or non-state actors?

• Agenda focus shifts towards climate changeCopenhagen as the next big event

Thank you!

Sander HappaertsInstitute for International and European Policy, KULeuvenParkstraat 45 box 3602BE-3000 Leuven

+32 16 32 30 27

sander.happaerts@soc.kuleuven.be