Strengthening Climate Governance for Resilient Policy and Fiscal Action
Effective governance and strong
institutional capacity are
foundational to implementing
climate policy and managing the
fiscal risks. Resources Future
supports institutions embed
climate risk into planning,
budgeting, and investment
decisions. This enables effective
implementation of climate policy
and public financial management
so that resilience becomes
integral to development
outcomes.
Global GDP could fall by 50% from climate risk shocks
between 2070
and 2090 if nothing is
done to curb emissions.
60% of OECD countries have updated their national climate adaptation plans
at least
once, yet many still face
governance barriers such
as unclear roles, data
gaps, and weak
implementation
frameworks
Our Challenge
Globally, climate ambition often
outpaces institutional readiness.
Fragmented mandates, weak
coordination, nascent
understanding of climate risks,
and limited data on fiscal and
macroeconomic climate risks
hinder effective implementation,
budgeting, and accountability for
climate targets at national and
subnational levels.
As a result, many governments struggle to translate high-level climate commitments into concrete policies, investment decisions, and measurable outcomes. The absence of integrated planning frameworks and standardized climate data limits the ability of institutions to assess trade-offs, prioritize actions, and align public spending with climate objectives. Capacity constraints at subnational levels further exacerbate these challenges, as local authorities often lack the technical expertise and financial tools needed to mainstream climate considerations into development planning. Without strengthening institutional coordination, improving data systems, and embedding climate risk analysis into fiscal and macroeconomic decision-making, climate ambition is likely to remain aspirational rather than transformative.
How We Help
We strengthen climate
governance architectures end-to-
end: mapping institutions,
assessing strategies, and
clarifying roles. We support
climate policy implementation,
climate-informed public financial
management, and fiscal risk estimation. Our work helps
governments embed climate risk
into planning, budgeting and
investment decisions, improving
coherence, accountability and
resilience.
Building on this foundation, we also focus on strengthening institutional capacity and coordination across ministries and levels of government to ensure sustained and effective delivery of climate objectives. By developing practical tools, guidance, and data systems, we enable decision-makers to track progress, evaluate impacts, and adjust policies as climate risks evolve. Our approach emphasizes integrating climate considerations into core government processes rather than treating them as standalone initiatives, fostering long-term ownership and alignment with development priorities. This end-to-end support helps translate climate commitments into actionable, well-governed programs that deliver tangible economic, social, and environmental benefits.
Our Services
Climate Governance Frameworks & Institutional Design
We help organisations establish clear climate governance structures, roles, and decision-making
processes. This includes defining mandates, coordination mechanisms, and accountability
across ministries, regulators, boards, and management.
Board-Level Climate Oversight & Controls
We support boards and senior leadership in integrating climate risks and opportunities into
oversight and control systems. Our work focuses on governance arrangements, reporting lines,
and decision protocols aligned with global good practice.
Climate Risk Integration into Public & Corporate Systems
We help embed climate risks into planning, budgeting, investment appraisal, and risk
management processes. This ensures climate considerations inform real decisions rather than
remaining standalone policy commitments.
Capacity Building & Governance Readiness
We design and deliver targeted capacity-building programmes to strengthen climate governance
across institutions. Our approach focuses on practical skills, tools, and systems needed to
operationalise governance reforms.
Types of Climate Governance Work We Support
INSTITUTIONAL & REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS
Roles, mandates, coordination, and oversight arrangements
BOARD-LEVEL CLIMATE OVERSIGHT
Governance structures for boards and senior management
CLIMATE RISK INTEGRATION
Embedding climate risks into planning, budgeting, and decision systems
INTER-AGENCY COORDINATION MECHANISMS
Whole-of-government and cross-institutional climate governance
CAPACITY BUILDING & GOVERNANCE READINESS
Training, tools, and systems to operationalise governance reforms
