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Short abstract:

This paper analyzes IPCC-UNFCCC dynamics using Luhmannian systems theory embedded in critical modernity theory to understand the (failure) of interaction between knowledge and policy.

Long abstract:

This paper delves into the intricate dynamics of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), examining how their interaction (or the failure thereof) is shaped by a systems logic. Embedding this Luhmannian systems theory perspective into theories of modernity, we analyse the embedded systemic structures within these institutions, highlighting the efforts and inherent difficulties of going beyond the logic of scientific and political systems shaped by a Eurocentric conception of modernity.

Our study, informed by interviews with IPCC scientists and UNFCCC negotiators and complemented by observations at the World Climate Conferences, uncovers the systemic challenges in reconciling the linear, Eurocentric logic that dominates these systems. We find that while there is a growing intention within these bodies to diversify knowledge inputs and overcome historical biases, the entrenched systems-logic of both scientific and political frameworks within the IPCC and UNFCCC presents significant barriers. These barriers not only hinder the integration of diverse knowledge systems but also impede meaningful co-production between knowledge holders including scientists, and policymakers.

Our paper contributes to the critical discourse on environmental governance, illustrating the complexities of deconstructing Eurocentric modernity within global sustainability institutions. We argue for a transformative approach that challenges the existing systems-logic of the IPCC and UNFCCC, advocating for a more inclusive framework that genuinely values and incorporates diverse ways of knowing and being.