Conceptualizing the Roles of Information and Digital Technologies in Digital Global Climate Governance

Abstract

Digital governance research has primarily focused on national or local settings, but as societal challenges are increasingly global in nature, it motivates greater attention as to how digital governance may enhance global governance (Engvall, 2024). Empirical research has shown how digital global governance initiatives may contribute to climate governance (Engvall, 2021; Engvall & Flak, 2022a, 2022b). However, there is a need for a deeper theoretical understanding of the ways in which information and digital technologies can support climate governance, in order to effectively direct digital governance initiatives. Information and digital technologies have significant roles in global climate governance. The core of the climate treaty, the Paris Agreement, is a reporting mechanism, i.e., the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF). The information generated through the ETF can be used for various purposes, and digital services can be developed to support different governance activities. From a structuration theory perspective, this paper discusses and conceptualizes the roles of information and digital technologies in digital global climate governance. The paper articulates how interpretative, facilitative, and normative roles of information and digital technologies can support understanding, action and accountability, and proposes this as the basis for further research and development of digital services.