This policy paper looks at how the role of parliaments in enhancing climate and environmental outcomes may be influenced by a range of factors that may either stall or halt the imperative for legislative review and adaptation. Nationally, the drive to pass legislation and more specifically, climate change legislation, is often driven by political will rooted in factors ranging from election cycles, the levels of democracy, and a country’s economic priorities. 

The outcomes of the IPU meeting at COP28 encouraged parliaments to “establish mechanisms for continuous, forward-looking and evidence-informed monitoring and reporting on the progress of climate-related legislation and policies, ensuring transparency and accountability in the implementation of climate commitments”. Relatedly, in the pursuit of global climate goals, there is a need to avoid a narrow focus on international treaties as the sole solution. Rather, a programme of global collective action that includes a review of domestic laws to pursue climate goals should be embraced.

This policy paper makes recommendations to this end.