Solar Festivals and Climate Bills: Comparing NGO Climate Change Campaigns in the UK and Australia

Abstract

This paper compares climate change campaigns conducted by environmental nongovernment organizations (NGOs) in the United Kingdom (UK) and Australia. The NGOs represent a diversity of political access, financial resources, and international connections. Three campaign activities common to both countries undertaken between 2004 and 2006 are analyzed for their effectiveness via interviews and document review. This examination is embedded within an analysis of the political, economic, policy, and social contexts of each country. It is shown that in the UK climate change has been used as a pivotal leadership issue, that the fossil fuel industry's influence is not predominant, and that NGOs enjoy political legitimacy. Whereas, in Australia climate change has only recently emerged as a political priority, the fossil fuel industry has had significant political and financial influence, and NGO advocacy has been marginalized. It is argued that NGOs are embedded in the political and policy contexts of their country, and the greatest campaign traction and NGO influence can only be achieved when these contexts provide favorable conditions. RésuméCette étude compare les campagnes sur le changement climatique menées par les organisations non gouvernementales (ONG) et le Royaume Uni et l'Australie. Les ONG représentent une diversité d'accès politiques, de ressources financières et de connexions internationales. Trois campagnes d'activités communes aux deux pays qui ont été menées entre 2004 et 2006 sont analysées pour leur efficacité par le biais d'interview et d'analyses de documents. Cet examen est intégré dans une analyse des contextes politiques, économiques et sociaux de chaque pays. Il apparaît que le changement climatique du Royaume Uni a été utilisé en tant que problème de direction central, indiquant que l'industrie du combustible fossile n'est pas prédominant, et que les OGN en endosse la légitimité politique.

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Non-governmental Organisations and Citizen Action on Climate Change: Strategies, Rationales and Practices

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