Policy-driven acceleration of climate action

Since the signing of the Paris Agreement, the term “acceleration” has become increasingly prevalent in the global discourse on climate change mitigation. Its meaning, however, is ambiguous. While this ambiguity arguably contributes to its popularity, it also diminishes its analytical and policy value. To achieve a more productive scholarly discourse and design more effective policies, we propose a conceptual framework for the term. Drawing on scientific definitions, we specify what acceleration of climate action entails. Specifically, we contend that policy-driven “acceleration” in this domain ultimately refers to increasing the speed of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While policies play a crucial role in achieving this acceleration of climate action, their impact is mediated or moderated by multiple factors. Consequently, we argue for distinguishing three levels when referring to acceleration in the context of policymaking: the policies adopted by policymakers to reduce GHG emissions (policy outputs), the behavioral changes these policies induce in their target groups (policy outcomes), and the resulting changes in the reduction of GHG emissions (policy impacts).