Transforming Canadian Federal Governance in a Polycrisis

Abstract

Abstract Since 1995, scientific consensus has linked human activity to climate change, yet the political and financial power of the carbon economy remains entrenched. Under conditions of polycrisis, many states continue to miss emissions targets and, in some cases, retreat from climate commitments. Transformative political will is therefore urgently needed to achieve carbon neutrality. To examine constraints on federal climate action, we conducted interviews with 35 senior governance actors, including former public servants, environmental leaders, quasi‐institutional intermediaries (See footnote at the bottom of the page), and private sector advisors. Their experiences point to persistent governance barriers. Findings suggest the political process remains the primary constraint, shaped by short electoral cycles, policy reversals, limited public engagement, and entrenched financial power. We conceptualize these dynamics as limits to the governability of climate change, highlighting the need for stronger coordination, institutional capacity, and durable governance arrangements to sustain climate action under polycrisis conditions.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Canadian Public Administration, 2026 · DOI ↗