CLIMATE DIPLOMACY AFTER THE PARIS AGREEMENT: THE QUEST FOR GLOBAL GOVERNANCE AND JUSTICE

Abstract: The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), has been recognized as a landmark in global climate governance. Unlike previous arrangements such as the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris framework is characterized by a bottom-up approach through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), enhanced transparency mechanisms, and a long-term goal of limiting global warming to well below 2 °C, preferably 1.5 °C. This study aims to examine the evolution of climate diplomacy in the post-Paris era, focusing on the roles of state and non-state actors, the challenges of multilateral negotiations, and the implications for global governance. Relying on a literature-based conceptual analysis, the article identifies three key dynamics: the transformation of negotiation practices, the growing involvement of civil society and private sector actors, and the persistent North-South divide concerning equity and climate justice. The findings reveal that while the Paris Agreement has expanded the scope of inclusiveness in climate diplomacy, it also introduced complexities regarding compliance, financing, and the geopolitics of energy security. The article concludes that post-Paris climate diplomacy is increasingly embedded in broader security, economic, and justice discourses, requiring innovative governance models to achieve the net-zero targets of 2050. In addition, the Paris Agreement has been interpreted as an experiment in “polycentric governance,” where authority is distributed across multiple levels of decision-making from local governments to international organizations (Jordan et al., 2018). This polycentric nature allows for innovation, experimentation, and diffusion of best practices, yet it also raises challenges of coherence and accountability. Furthermore, the emphasis on climate finance and capacity-building for developing countries has elevated the discourse on equity to an unprecedented level in climate negotiations. By embedding climate diplomacy within global security and economic agendas, the Paris era signals a fundamental redefinition of multilateralism in the 21st century.