Shifting narratives on funding mitigation abroad: Insights from an international dialogue

Catherine Leining (), Sasha Maher (), Lucy Peake (), Alessia Casamassima (), Albert Ferrari (), Lea Heinrich (), Simone Borghesi () and Axel Michaelowa ()
Additional contact information
Catherine Leining: Motu Economic and Public Policy Research, https://www.motu.nz/about-us/people/catherine-leining
Sasha Maher: Motu Economic and Public Policy Research (former), https://www.motu.nz/
Lucy Peake: Motu Economic and Public Policy Research (former), https://www.motu.nz/
Alessia Casamassima: European University Institute, https://www.eui.eu/people?id=alessia-casamassima
Albert Ferrari: European University Institute (former), https://www.eui.eu/en/home
Lea Heinrich: European University Institute, https://www.eui.eu/people?id=lea-heinrich
Simone Borghesi: European University Institute, https://www.eui.eu/people?id=simone-borghesi
Axel Michaelowa: University of Zürich, https://www.ipz.uzh.ch/en/people/employees/axmich.html

No 26_01, Motu Working Papers from Motu Economic and Public Policy Research

Abstract: Boosting climate mitigation funding from advanced economies (AEs) to emerging markets and developing economies is critical to achieving the temperature goal of the Paris Agreement. Understanding the narratives that drive public opinion and influence decision-making on funding mitigation abroad can help inform the design and communication of carbon market and climate finance policies that unlock more effective international climate cooperation. At an international dialogue convened in September 2025, experts from 14 AEs explored prominent public narratives on funding mitigation abroad and opportunities to shift those narratives for better outcomes. Core narrative themes related to the generation of benefits for both funders and hosts, the management of climate target risks, the integrity of funded mitigation, and national interests. To encourage public support, participants suggested reframing funding mitigation abroad in terms of partnering with others to tackle a global, collective issue; creating new market opportunities benefiting funders; investing in global and regional stability; reinforcing broader national objectives and processes; enhancing global mitigation effort; and finding the political middle ground. Participants recommended appealing to universal principles, values, and emotions. To build public trust in funding mitigation abroad, participants emphasised the importance of ensuring high-integrity carbon market and climate finance approaches, encouraging country-specific narratives from credible voices, and enabling more public participation and transparency in government decision-making processes. These insights highlight the need for deeper and more systematic research across diverse AEs to understand and transform public narratives on funding mitigation abroad.

Keywords: Climate change mitigation; emissions trading; carbon markets; climate finance; international cooperation; Paris Agreement; Article 6; narratives (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q54 Q56 Q58 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 26 pages
Date: 2026-04-09
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ene and nep-env
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