Since the beginning of the 1990s, non-state actor participation at the United Nations (UN) climate summits has increased. From COP1 in 1994 to COP26 in 2021, the number of registered non-state actors has grown from 163 to 2902. Despite this growing participation of non-state actors in global climate governance, we know little about the extent to which and why such actors perceive UN climate institutions to be just and legitimate. It is important to understand these perceptions, as they will influence how non-state actors engage with the UN climate system and push for policy change.

In November 2021, GlocalClim researchers therefore conducted a survey among non-state actors active in relation to the UN both on site at COP26 in Glasgow and online. The survey contained thirty questions about non-state actors’ perceptions of justice and legitimacy of the UN climate
governance regime. 272 non-state actors from 59 countries participated in the survey.

Taken together, the results from the survey indicate that justice and legitimacy perceptions of non-state actors are fragile. Business
actors and researchers tend to perceive the system as more just and trustworthy than environmental non-governmental organizations and vulnerable groups, such as Indigenous Peoples, young people, and women. Justice and legitimacy perceptions are grounded in both procedures and outcomes of global climate governance.

Read the full brochure here:  GlocalClim_Justice_and_Legitimacy_Survey_2021 (12401 Kb)