Technology-minded climate delegates support less stringent climate policies

Abstract

To transform global policies and actions on climate change, Meadows’ leverage framework highlights the need to identify deep leverage points such as mindset and paradigm shifts. Our analysis focuses on the mindset of climate delegates regarding the paradigm that technological innovation can achieve the 1.5 °C target without systemic changes. Surveying delegates from the 24th Conference of the Parties (COP24) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) reveals that respondents believing in technological solutions indeed support less stringent climate policies. Within high-level conferences devoted to climate or sustainability action, differences in views can lead to differences in policy. This study surveyed how delegates at COP24 perceived the efficacy of technology and climate targets.