Conflicts in multi-level governance: an analysis of international climate policy implementation at the sub-national level

The complexity and multi-level nature of climate change requires governance systems able to manage resolve conflicts across multiple scales. Drawing on the theories collaborative conflict resolution, this paper proposes a theoretical framework understand three types likely occur in (MLG) network: problem framing, benefit sharing, capacity building. Using implementation clean development mechanism China as case study, finds emerged between supranational subnational levels. finding further indicates role that Chinese national government played resolving through reinterpreting international norms, aligning presumably conflicting goals, eliminating difference benefits narrowing gaps evidence suggests an improved MLG should be dedicated integrating local level interests centrally dominated policy processes. This study contributes new knowledge by investigating hierarchical relations among participants how authority power differentials can shape their interactions