Governance and Institutional Structure of Climate Change in Egypt
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Mainstreaming climate change into policy decisions requires the consideration of
climate change causes and consequences into non-climate sectors [2]. More specifically, climate policy integration (CPI) should incorporate the aims of climate change
mitigation and adaptation into all the stages of policymaking in other policy sectors
[3]. It should also be complemented by an attempt to aggregate the expected consequences mitigation and adaptation activities into an overall policy evaluation, and
minimize contradictions between policies [4]. Integrated strategies are a relatively
novel approach to govern highly complex issues that involve several sectors and
levels of governance [4]. They are a key tool to foster not only sustainable development, but also environmental policy integration or ecological modernization. Both
of which are concepts that promote the integration of environmental concerns into
sectors with significant environmental ramifications long before sustainable development dominated the environmental discourse [1]. In fact, mainstreaming climate
change helps to position climate-related issues as drivers for development rather than
as an added burden for policy makers.
Successful integration of climate change into policies and institutions centers on
two key components: horizontal coordination and vertical coordination. These govern
the functional (i.e. who should do what) and procedural (i.e. how mainstreaming
should happen) implications of integration. Horizontal coordination aims to integrate
climate change policy within and across the different departments with a key objective
of curbing the silo mentality (or departmentalism) that prevails in all institutions [2].
On the other hand, vertical coordination entails the coherent translation of climate
policy design and implementation across the different tiers of government.
This integration applies—albeit in slightly different ways—across the various
types of institutions. Effective local institutions are just as key to society’s ability
to respond to the impacts of climate change as larger ones. The role of the local
institutions in shaping climate change adaptation measures and its outcomes is an
essential governance mechanism. They are crucial as mediating bodies that connect
households to local resources and link local populations to national policies and interventions [5]. This importance is often overlooked. For instance, in Egypt, despite a
stated commitment to grassroots involvement in climate change adaptation processes
and actions, the actual focus in national adaptation plans is on technical and infrastructure options for adaptation, with little attention given to social and institutional
context in which these options operate [6]. Future national-level efforts to develop
adaptation plans need to consider the role of local institutions more centrally if they
seek to serve the needs and interests of the most vulnerable populations better.
2 Environmental Governance in Egypt
The Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) was established 1982 as the
highest national authority in Egypt responsible for promoting and coordinating all
efforts related to environmental protection. The EEAA has the responsibility of
47
Mainstreaming climate change into policy decisions requires the consideration of
climate change causes and consequences into non-climate sectors [2]. More specifically, climate policy integration (CPI) should incorporate the aims of climate change
mitigation and adaptation into all the stages of policymaking in other policy sectors
[3]. It should also be complemented by an attempt to aggregate the expected consequences mitigation and adaptation activities into an overall policy evaluation, and
minimize contradictions between policies [4]. Integrated strategies are a relatively
novel approach to govern highly complex issues that involve several sectors and
levels of governance [4]. They are a key tool to foster not only sustainable development, but also environmental policy integration or ecological modernization. Both
of which are concepts that promote the integration of environmental concerns into
sectors with significant environmental ramifications long before sustainable development dominated the environmental discourse [1]. In fact, mainstreaming climate
change helps to position climate-related issues as drivers for development rather than
as an added burden for policy makers.
Successful integration of climate change into policies and institutions centers on
two key components: horizontal coordination and vertical coordination. These govern
the functional (i.e. who should do what) and procedural (i.e. how mainstreaming
should happen) implications of integration. Horizontal coordination aims to integrate
climate change policy within and across the different departments with a key objective
of curbing the silo mentality (or departmentalism) that prevails in all institutions [2].
On the other hand, vertical coordination entails the coherent translation of climate
policy design and implementation across the different tiers of government.
This integration applies—albeit in slightly different ways—across the various
types of institutions. Effective local institutions are just as key to society’s ability
to respond to the impacts of climate change as larger ones. The role of the local
institutions in shaping climate change adaptation measures and its outcomes is an
essential governance mechanism. They are crucial as mediating bodies that connect
households to local resources and link local populations to national policies and interventions [5]. This importance is often overlooked. For instance, in Egypt, despite a
stated commitment to grassroots involvement in climate change adaptation processes
and actions, the actual focus in national adaptation plans is on technical and infrastructure options for adaptation, with little attention given to social and institutional
context in which these options operate [6]. Future national-level efforts to develop
adaptation plans need to consider the role of local institutions more centrally if they
seek to serve the needs and interests of the most vulnerable populations better.
2 Environmental Governance in Egypt
The Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) was established 1982 as the
highest national authority in Egypt responsible for promoting and coordinating all
efforts related to environmental protection. The EEAA has the responsibility of