Abstract
This presentation aims to explore the often understudied role of subnational governments in the global efforts to both mitigate climate change and contribute to solving the climate crisis. It does so by examining and comparing how climate change is integrated in the public policies adopted by the Autonomous Provinces of Trento and Bolzano in Italy, and Länder Tyrol and Vorarlberg in Austria. In particular, the analysis focuses on the sectors where these subnational governments exercise legislative powers: transport, energy and water, and spatial planning. It furthermore evaluates the importance, in absolute and relative terms, of five factors that influence the integration of climate change in subnational policies: coordination (vertical and horizontal), public participation, information to the public, leadership and funding.