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MITIGATION

Climate laws help reduce emissions

Nature Climate Change volume 10, pages 709–710 (2020)Cite this article

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Over the last two decades, many countries have passed laws addressing climate change and related areas. Research now shows that these laws make a difference to emission outcomes, but the pathways of impact require further research.

Understanding the role of national decision-making, including laws, is particularly salient in a post-Paris Agreement world built around nationally determined contributions9. Research emphasis has shifted from global cooperation to understanding how countries can most effectively stimulate and accelerate domestic mitigation actions. While the literature is dominated by analysis of policies10 and technological transitions11, Eskander and Fankhausers’ research helps plug an important gap on the governance end and, specifically, the effect of domestic climate legislation on mitigation outcomes.

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  1. Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi, India

    Navroz K. Dubash

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  1. Navroz K. Dubash
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Correspondence to Navroz K. Dubash.

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Dubash, N.K. Climate laws help reduce emissions. Nat. Clim. Chang. 10, 709–710 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-020-0853-6

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