Democracy and climate change: rethinking governance from a more comprehensive political framework

Zarina Kulaeva, Doctora en Ciencias Políticas, Laboratorio de Transformación Urbana y Cambio Global (TURBA), Departamento de Derecho y Ciencia Política,  Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) zkulaeva@uoc.edu. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8739-879X

Climate change is a “prolonged state of emergency” whose repercussions transcend “planetary boundaries”. More than an isolated crisis, it poses a systemic threat with the potential to undermine the principles of democracy, testing institutional capacity to respond to its multidimensional impacts. This paper examines the political challenges of climate change governance from a democratic perspective. It identifies five structural challenges: a) the undermining of democratic legitimacy; b) natural disasters and environmental risks; c) global food insecurity; d) global inequalities and historical responsibility for climate change; and e) the impact of migration. Based on this analysis, it explores strategies to enhance democratic resilience in the face of climate change and, ultimately, formulate a comprehensive analytical framework geared towards consolidating the democratic governance of climate change. 

Keywords: climate governance, democracy, climate change, democratic strategies, analytical framework

How to cite this article:  Kulaeva, Zarina. «Democracia y cambio climático: repensar la gobernanza desde un marco político más integral». Revista CIDOB d’Afers Internacionals, n.º 140 (septiembre de 2025), p. 173-192. DOI: doi.org/10.24241/rcai.2025.140.2.173

Revista CIDOB d’Afers Internacionals, nº 140, pp. 173-192
Quadrimestral (May-September 2025)
ISSN:1133-6595 | E-ISSN:2013-035X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24241/rcai.2025.140.2.173

Reception date: 28.12.24  ;  Acceptance date:   01.04.25

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