How can the OECD and the G20 foster international cooperation and policy coherence on climate action?

Climate change is one of the most urgent and complex challenges facing the world today. It requires coordinated and coherent action from all levels of government, business, civil society and individuals. However, the global governance system for climate action is fragmented and sometimes inconsistent, leading to gaps, overlaps and inefficiencies. How can the OECD and the G20, two influential international organizations, foster international cooperation and policy coherence on climate action?

1 The role of the OECD and the G20

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an intergovernmental organization that promotes policies to improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world. The Group of Twenty (G20) is a forum of 19 countries and the European Union that accounts for about 80% of global GDP, trade and emissions. Both the OECD and the G20 play important roles in shaping the global agenda and facilitating dialogue and coordination on various issues, including climate change.

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Barbara Tavora-Jainchill

Programme Management Officer, Forest Affairs, at the United Nations
As far as climate change goes, the main actor is the UNFCCC. OECD countries not always agree on climate politics and G-20 members, a group that includes wealthy and mid-income countries from all over the globe, don’t see eye-to-eye on the issue either. So no, the assumption of this paragraph is not correct in my view.
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Tala Dowlatshahi

Senior Executive Advisor | Leadership and Organizational coach | Anticipatory Action | Futures Thinker | Human Rights, Climate, Health and Justice Advocate
By aligning national policies with international instruments including where countries are on their own sustainable development measurements and whether private sector and other external actors could be brought in to fill gaps where challenges remain. Ideally, there has to be a more robust and inclusive process where national entities are open to transparency and accountability in regard to measuring climate targets. This is where G20 countries can promote an agenda based on financial commitments and ensuring the political will to tackle the most pressing climate issues.
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M. C. Mermet

Data, metadata specialist and developer, writer
Do they? There are 2 types of regimes for what I see: - authoritarian (or aspiring authoritarian) for which the priority is to ensure the egomaniac glory and wealth of their leaders, not fighting climate change - Democratic for which the priority is to please the mass to ensure a winning election, and given the recent results in The Netherlands, France, Italy, UK… climate change isn’t a priority either. In 2002, French president Jacques Chirac opened the IVth earth summit with this phrase: “Our house is burning and we’re looking away”. 22 years later, we are still having the same debates, there’s even less political will and CO2 emissions have never stopped rising. And our house is still burning.
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2 The need for international cooperation and policy coherence

International cooperation and policy coherence are essential for effective and equitable climate action. International cooperation can help mobilize resources, share best practices, enhance transparency and accountability, and build trust and solidarity among countries. Policy coherence can help align climate objectives with other goals, such as economic growth, social inclusion, health and security, and avoid trade-offs and conflicts. However, achieving international cooperation and policy coherence is not easy, as different countries have different capacities, interests, priorities and perspectives on climate change.

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3 The challenges and opportunities for the OECD and the G20

The OECD and the G20 face several challenges and opportunities in fostering international cooperation and policy coherence on climate action. Some of the challenges are: the diversity and complexity of their memberships, the lack of binding commitments and enforcement mechanisms, the competition and divergence with other actors and forums, and the uncertainty and volatility of the global context. Some of the opportunities are: the high level of political influence and legitimacy, the broad scope and flexibility of their agendas, the complementarity and synergy with other actors and forums, and the potential for innovation and leadership.

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Barbara Tavora-Jainchill

Programme Management Officer, Forest Affairs, at the United Nations
Again, developing countries are being ignored and they shouldn’t. They are very strong as far as climate negotiations go. Small Island Developing States normally are very well prepared in climate negotiations and are influential since they have a lot to lose in case quick action is not taken.
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4 The actions and recommendations of the OECD and the G20

The OECD and the G20 have taken various actions and made several recommendations to foster international cooperation and policy coherence on climate action. Some of the actions are: providing data, analysis and guidance on climate policies and performance, supporting the implementation and enhancement of the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda, promoting green recovery and resilience from the COVID-19 pandemic, and engaging with stakeholders and partners on climate issues. Some of the recommendations are: strengthening the alignment of climate and energy policies, scaling up climate finance and investment, enhancing carbon pricing and market mechanisms, and addressing the social and economic impacts of the transition.

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5 The impact and evaluation of the OECD and the G20

The impact and evaluation of the OECD and the G20 on fostering international cooperation and policy coherence on climate action are mixed and contested. Some of the positive impacts are: raising awareness and ambition, providing platforms and frameworks for dialogue and coordination, catalyzing action and innovation, and supporting capacity building and learning. Some of the negative impacts are: creating duplication and fragmentation, generating inconsistency and contradiction, undermining multilateralism and inclusiveness, and failing to deliver on promises and expectations.

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6 The way forward for the OECD and the G20

The OECD and the G20 have the potential and responsibility to foster international cooperation and policy coherence on climate action, but they also face significant limitations and challenges. The way forward for them is to: enhance their coordination and collaboration with each other and with other actors and forums, increase their responsiveness and adaptability to changing circumstances and needs, improve their transparency and accountability to their members and stakeholders, and demonstrate their commitment and credibility to their actions and recommendations.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can the OECD and the G20 foster international cooperation and policy coherence on climate action?

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1 The role of the OECD and the G20

2 The need for international cooperation and policy coherence

3 The challenges and opportunities for the OECD and the G20

4 The actions and recommendations of the OECD and the G20

5 The impact and evaluation of the OECD and the G20

6 The way forward for the OECD and the G20

7 Here’s what else to consider

International Organizations

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