Global Journal of Science Frontier Research, H: Environment & Earth Science, Volume 23 Issue 5

The Paris Agreement formally acknowledges ‘the importance of the engagements of all levels of government, and various actors’ (UNFCCC 2015). The accompanying COP decision details the role of ‘non- party stakeholders, especially in enhancing (UNFCCC 2015) and calls for the ‘scalingup and introduction of new or strengthened voluntary efforts and initiatives’ (UNFCCC ibid). Formally, the Paris Agreement opens up for the engagement of non-state actors in three processes: the 5-year cycles of a global stocktake of NDCs preceded by the ‘facilitative dialogue’ in 2018; the transparency framework reviewing mitigation and adaptation actions; and the implementation and compliance mechanism (van Asselt 2016, p. 7). c) Resources of Non-State Actors While non-state actors mostly do not possess the conventional forms of political authority and sovereignty, they nonetheless have some influence and alternative sources of power. According to Gulbrandsen and Andresen (2004), the essential skills and resources that non-state actors have may emanate from their intellectual, membership, political, and financial bases (p. 58). This point has been given support by other scholars who contend that knowledge and information remain crucial (see Betsill & Corell 2008); the economic resources and locus in the bigger society or international community (Falkner 2010); the organizational prowess and capacity, world-wide connections and its capability to mobilize (Falkner 2010); as well as its legitimacy (Gough & Shackley 2001). This point concerning the capacity of NSAs has essentially been summarized to entail: 1. Ability to invoke moral claims 2. Knowledge, expertise 3. Access to networks 4. Access to key agents and decision-making processes 5. Access to resources and position in the global economy (see Keck & Sikkink, 1999; Bostr̈ m & Tamm Hallstr̈ m, 2010). d) Role of Non-Governmental Organizations (Ngos) in Climate Change Discourse The United Nations through its UNFCCC categorizes accredited NSAs into nine clusters which involve those representing: business and industry non- governmental organizations (BINGOs) , environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs), indigenous peoples’ organizations (IPOs) , local government and municipal authorities (LGMAs) , research and independent non-governmental organizations (RINGOs) , trade unions non-governmental organizations (TUNGOs) , farmers and agricultural NGOs, women, and gender, and youth (YOUNGO) (UNFCCC, 2020) . This section pays particular attention to the role of NSAs with particular emphasis on NGOs in helping the course of climate change interventions. The theoretical analysis is complemented by two empirical cases on how NSAs help in addressing security threats that are associated with climate change. NGOs play a significant role in agenda setting and help to push some functional policies and laws which will help mitigate climate change impacts. For example, NGOs such as industry associations and research institution do engage in lobbying and agenda- setting; what remains outstanding is that they follow through to see the eventual implementation of such policies by the government, and continues to monitor the effectiveness of the process (Gupta, 2010). Despite the fact, climate negotiations at the global level nonetheless operate by color-coding the participants with respect t o their institutional affiliation, the 2015 Paris Agreement 1 1 Paris Agreement (adopted 12 December 2015, entered into force 4 November 2016) (2016) 55 ILM 740 and later advances have additionally reinforced the role of NSAs in looking over ambitions set out, enforcement by member states, as well as compliance with emission-reduction targets (Asselt, 2016). The literature on environmental governance refers to the growing participation of Non- state actors within the UNFCCC system as ‘hybrid multilateralism’ which has been the theoretical framework underpinning this paper. As explained, the concept denotes the ‘intensified interplay between state and non-state actors in the new landscape of international climate cooperation’ (Bäckstrand et al, 2017). © 2023 Global Journals 1 Year 2023 54 Global Journal of Science Frontier Research Volume XXIII Issue ersion I VV ( H ) Addressing Security Risk Caused by Climate Change Across Nations: The Role of Non-State Policy Actors e) Role in Agenda Setting and Climate Change Policy Implementation