Explorative Workshop on New Actors in Climate Diplomacy: Knowledge, Power, and the Intersection of Corporate and Public Governance

The workshop on New Actors in Climate Diplomacy: Knowledge, Power, and the Intersection of Corporate and Public Governance explored how climate diplomacy is being reshaped by evolving forms of climate expertise and the growing influence of corporate and non-state actors alongside traditional public institutions.

Discussions highlighted how knowledge production and power dynamics affect decision-making within global climate governance, particularly under the UNFCCC, and examined both the opportunities and risks of increased corporate engagement in climate action. Participants reflected on future aspirations for more inclusive, transparent, and effective climate diplomacy, emphasizing the need to reform UNFCCC processes and related institutional actors to better integrate diverse forms of expertise and align climate policy with ambitious, equitable, and forward-looking global climate goals.

The workshop, held on December 15, was the 2nd in a series of workshops in the initiation project The Great Transformation in the Era of Climate Change Governance, financed by Riksbankens Jubileumsfond. The workshop engaged 18 scholars from Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands, and was organized by Christina Garsten (SCAS), Adrienne Sörbom, Ulrik Jennische, Joanna Mellquist (Score, Stockholm University) and Mikael Karlsson (Uppsala University).