International Climate Diplomacy, Collective Action and SIDS

Small Island Developing States are especially vulnerable to substantial economic losses as the result of climate change, particularly global warming. But just as the effects of climate change are global in scope, so too must be policies intended to combat this environmental change. This chapter reviews the challenges of having governments throughout the world adopt and implement environmental policies that will slow the changes in climatic conditions. It is argued that small island states can play leadership roles in collective action efforts including participating in or advocating for the creation of climate clubs that may be a useful organizational approach to improved international environmental policies.