Multi‐level interactions in a sustainable development context: different routes for Flanders to decision‐making in the UN commission on sustainable development

Abstract

This article focuses on how subnational governments try to be part of the global sustainable development debate. In particular, it looks at the Belgian subnational government of Flanders and decision-making in the UN Commission on Sustainable Development. Subnational entities, such as Flanders, are not directly represented in global multilateral organizations and thus need to fi nd other ways if they want to be involved. Yet, those organizations play an important role, for example with regard to agenda-setting and the formulation of global sustainable development goals. Starting from a multi-level governance perspective, we use a typology of four routes, along the dimensions intra-and extra-state and intra-and extra-European, that subnational governments have at their disposal. In each of those routes multiple interactions take place between different levels of government. We show that the Flemish government has most extensively used intra-state routes, fi rst and foremost because of the constitutional opportunities it has within the Belgian institutional context. Extra-state routes that bypass the state are used less, because greater access is possible through the state and because those routes require a higher investment in fi nancial and human resources. A direct consequence of the use of the intra-state routes is the important role that has to be ascribed to the interactions between the Flemish and the federal level of government. Those interactions are steered by specifi c intra-Belgian arrangements and shape how Flanders can be involved.

Are you Talking to us? How Subnational Governments Respond to Global Sustainable Development Governance

“…Those networks give subnational governments the opportunity to be present in the multilateral arena outside of their national context (Happaerts et al , ). Flanders and Wallonia, in addition, have many opportunities to influence multilateral decision‐making through the Belgian framework (Van den Brande et al , ). The Belgian subnational entities can conduct an external policy for those policy issues that fall within their competences.…”

“…Finally, it is of interest to policy-makers that the analysis suggests that the global summits of Rio and Johannesburg in general have a greater resonance than the day-to-day work of international organizations, although the effects of summits can be belated or indirect. This hints at the importance of the future Rio + 20 Summit in 2012, which is currently being prepared by UN member states (Van den Brande et al, 2011a). Although the organization of the new summit was greeted with scepticism by some, it could create new momentum for sustainable development, and even if its outcomes prove not be absolute successes, it will probably trigger new initiatives at the subnational level of governance.…”

Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations: The Multi-Level Politics of Climate Change Policy in Belgium

“…Besides their strong presence in national delegations, the subnational governments also use other mechanisms, bypassing the Belgian context, to be visible in the international debate (Van den Brande et al, 2011). Most importantly, both Flanders and Wallonia are members of transnational networks of subnational governments, such as the Climate Group's States and Regions Alliance or the Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development (nrg4SD) (Happaerts et al, 2010b), which organize events in the framework of the UNFCCC.…”

Does Autonomy Matter?

“…International organizations thus concur with the normative challenge advanced by the literature on governance for sustainable development. Since there is a broad consensus on the fact that coherent action at all levels is needed, sustainable development has often been approached through the analytical paradigm of multi-level governance (for example, Van den Brande et al, 2011). In a multi-level setting, all levels have their own stake and responsibilities in governance for sustainable development.…”