Climate Diplomacy in a Multipolar World: challenge and opportunities for geopolitical Shifts, Human Rights, and Multilateralism

Climate change is fundamentally altering the landscape of global governance, diplomacy, and power dynamics in today's multipolar world. As new powers rise and old alliances evolve, the global approach to addressing climate change faces both significant challenges and unique opportunities. These shifts compel a reevaluation of how climate strategies intersect with geopolitical tensions, such as resource competition, trade, and national security. Additionally, there is a pressing need to explore the potential for promoting human rights and climate justice within this complex international framework.

This Research Topic aims to critically analyze and illuminate new pathways for transformative climate diplomacy amid evolving global conditions. It seeks to understand how climate policies can be integrated with broader geopolitical strategies and what opportunities exist to advance climate justice in an increasingly fragmented world. Further, it will examine the role of multilateralism in enhancing cooperation, even as nationalism and regionalism gain ground.

To gather further insights in understanding the impact of geopolitical shifts on climate action, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Geopolitical shifts influencing global climate negotiations and agreements.
• Inclusive and equitable strategies for climate governance involving diverse actors.
• Contributions of emerging powers to climate action and innovation.
• Integration of climate action with human rights and sustainable development goals.
• The future of multilateralism and regional cooperation in managing transboundary climate issues.

This special issue bridges political science, international relations, environmental studies, and human rights to offer a comprehensive analysis of climate diplomacy in the context of global multipolarity.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Registered Report
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Climate diplomacy, global governance, geopolitical shifts, climate justice, multilateralism, sustainable development

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.