Faith-based actors as climate intermediaries in Scottish climate policy

Faith-based actors (FBAs) are increasingly active in climate policy, and a growing literature focuses on how specific faith characteristics (theological and organisational) might shape climate action. This paper examines an under-researched dimension of their action. Using the example of Christian FBAs in Scotland, we examine their distinctive role as ‘climate intermediaries’ - ‘go-betweens’ between policymakers and their policy targets. We construct a framework of three core intermediary capabilities - representation, mobilization, aggregation - and examine strategies adopted to implement those capabilities. Using documentary data we identify FBA involvement in domestic and global climate policy, examining how certain Christian FBAs seek to shape government policy, but also aim to change the actions and behaviours of their congregations and members below. While FBA action has not alone shaped climate policy or agreements, we find their linkage role is distinct and multi-directional. First, by mediating ‘downwards’, FBAs mobilize action on global climate concerns within their own congregations. By converting parishioners’ religious concern into global action, these FBAs link the local to the global, but also the spiritual to the practical. FBAs also operate ‘upwards’ to successfully aggregate specific theological knowledge, and translate it into a powerful, general moral imperative for climate action

Teachers’ Topic Guides : Environmental Policy and Politics

This guide is designed for A-level and Scottish Higher teachers searching for an up-to-date overview of events and scholarship (both classic and contemporary) in the field of UK environmental politics and policy. The study of environmental policy in the UK covers a broad range of actors, issues and dynamics. We present here three guiding questions which capture the core features and major changes in environmental politics and policy in the UK. The three guiding questions are: 1. What are the key features of ‘environmental policy’? 2. Who are the main actors? 3. Where is UK environmental policy made