ACHIEVE at the ECPR General Conference 2025

Sander Chan and Lauri Peterson chair a session at the European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR) General Conference 2025 in Aristotle University of Thessaloniki on the 26 – 29 August 2025.

Amid today’s poly-crises—including climate urgency, biodiversity crisis, economic instability, and the rise of populism—voluntary climate action by non-state actors has become indispensable for advancing global climate and sustainability goals. This section explores the advancements and challenges in voluntary climate actions, focusing on the need for strong integrity and accountability of voluntary action within a fragmented policy landscape. With national governments increasingly reneging on global environmental responsibilities, non-state actors—businesses, subnational governments, and civil society—are increasingly stepping in to drive climate ambition. Yet, ensuring these efforts genuinely support global climate targets requires adaptive governance that upholds transparency, accountability, and coherence with policy frameworks. 

Key topics include new standards for voluntary climate action integrity, innovative accountability measures, and strategies for cross-sectoral engagement despite diverging political agendas. This section will also examine how voluntary actions navigate complex governance landscapes, reinforcing climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience while contending with competing crises and growing political backlash. In addressing both theory and empirical practice, this section highlights the role of voluntary climate actions in maintaining progress toward climate resilience and net-zero emissions amid global uncertainty.

Learn more: https://ecpr.eu/Events/Event/SectionDetails/1528