Theory and Methods

This chapter provides a detailed overview of the broad theoretical framework developed for the book. It begins by reviewing the extensive literature on climate change policy adoption and argues that existing theories have been overly focused on mitigation policies in the Global North. It details the broad-based analytical framework which guides the case study analysis and which incorporates considerations of: a) countries’ vulnerability to climate change impacts; b) international engagement on the issue of loss and damage; c) national institutional factors; and d) the role of ideas, including knowledge and norms. The chapter delves into each element of the framework and discusses the limitations of the research design. It then turns to describing the book’s abductive and iterative methodological approach which moves between existing theoretical propositions and data gathered through the analysis of law and policy documents and more than seventy-five interviews with national stakeholders across the case studies. The chapter concludes by highlighting the epistemic value of the book’s approach which has involved partnering with researchers in the Global South to co-develop, undertake and write up the research.