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Robert Falkner
Research Director
Robert is also:
- Associate Professor in International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE);
- Academic Director of the TRIUM Global Executive MBA programme
- Associate Fellow of the Energy, Environment and Resources Programme at Chatham House;
- Member of the editorial board for the journals ‘Global Environmental Politics’, ‘Global Policy’ and ‘Energy Research and Social Science’
Background
Robert received an MA in Politics and Diplom-Volkswirt (MSc Economics) from Munich University and gained a DPhil in International Relations from Oxford University (Nuffield College). He has published widely on topics relating to global environmental politics and climate policy, among others. His most recent books are The Handbook of Global Climate and Environment Policy (Wiley-Blackwell, 2013) and Business Power and Conflict in International Environmental Politics (Palgrave Macmillan, 2008).
In 2006-07, he was a visiting scholar at Harvard University. Before joining LSE, Robert held academic positions at the universities of Oxford, Kent and Essex.
Robert has expansive experience of executive education and has undertaken consultancy and advisory work for private and public sector organisations, including the Department for International Development (UK), European Commission,European Environment Agency and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Germany).
Research interests
- International political economy;
- Global environmental politics;
- International climate policy;
- Multinational corporations;
- Risk regulation;
- Global governance.
The unavoidability of justice - and order - in international climate politics: From Kyoto to Paris and beyond
Henry Shue has made a seminal contribution to the international debate about climate justice. By distinguishing between ‘subsistence emissions’ and ‘luxury emissions’ (Shue, 1992, 1993), he established the normative principle … read more »
2017
The emergence of environmental stewardship as a primary institution of global international society
This article develops an English School framework for analysing the emergence of new primary institutions in global international society, and applies this to the case of environmental stewardship. The … read more »
2016
Effective and geographically balanced? An output based assessment of non-state climate actions
Climate actions by non-state and subnational actors are an important complement to the multilateral climate regime and the associated contributions made by national governments. Although such actions hold much potential, … read more »
The Paris Agreement and the new logic of international climate politics
This article reviews and assesses the outcome of the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP-21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), held in Paris in … read more »
2015
Strengthening non-state climate action: a progress assessment of commitments launched at the 2014 UN Climate Summit
This report provides the first progress assessment of climate actions launched at the 2014 UN Climate Summit in New York. read more »
A minilateral solution for global climate change? On bargaining efficiency, club benefits and international legitimacy
This paper by Rober Falkner explores the the potential role that climate clubs might play in promoting global climate action. read more »
2013
The Handbook of Global Climate and Environment Policy
The Handbook of Global Climate and Environment Policy presents an authoritative and comprehensive overview of global policy on climate and the environment. It combines the strengths of an interdisciplinary team of experts from around the world to explore current debates and the latest thinking in the search for global environmental solutions. read more »
2012
Regulatory responses to scientific uncertainty and nanotechnology
Reference Porter, R.D., Breggin, L., Falkner, R., Pendergrass, J., and Jaspers, N. 2012. Regulatory responses to scientific uncertainty and nanotechnology. The Nanotechnology Challenge: creating law and legal institutions for uncertain risks … read more »
Rio+20 and the global environment: reflections on theory and practice - introduction
Reference Falkner, R., and Lee, B (eds.). May 2012. Rio+20 and the global environment: reflections on theory and practice – introduction. International Affairs (special issue), v.88, pp.503-522.
Global environmentalism and the greening of international society
Have environmental values become part of the normative structure of international society? Has the rise of global environmentalism led to a greening of international society? Most International Relations research … read more »
Regulating nanotechnologies: risk, uncertainty and the global governance gap
Nanosciences and nanotechnologies are set to transform the global industrial landscape, but the debate on how to regulate environmental, health and safety risks is lagging behind technological innovation. Current … read more »
2011
Addressing the risks of nanomaterials under United States and European Union Regulatory Frameworks for Chemicals
Reference Breggin, L., Falkner, R., Porter, R., Pendergrass, J., and Jaspers, N. September 2011. Addressing the risks of nanomaterials under United States and European Union Regulatory Frameworks for Chemicals. Assessing Nanoparticle Risks … read more »
2010
Globalisation, neopluralism and multinodal politics
Reference Falkner, R. Globalisation, neopluralism and multinodal politics. December 2010. Journal of Power, v.3, pp.452-458.
International climate policy after Copenhagen: Towards a 'building blocks' approach
This article reviews the options for future international climate policy after the 2009 Copenhagen conference. It argues that a major reassessment of the current approach to building a climate … read more »
International climate policy after Copenhagen: towards a 'building blocks' approach
This paper asks what can be hoped for the international climate change negotiation process in the wake of the 2009 Copenhagen conference, and what should be … read more »
Business and global climate governance: a neo-plurist perspective. Business and Global Governance
Business plays a critical role in global climate politics; this is widely agreed upon in international relations and political economy. Whether we should view business primarily as blocking political … read more »
Getting a deal on climate change: Obama's flexible multilateralism. Obama Nation? US foreign policy one year on
‘It will be as different as night from day’, is how Senator John Kerry described the impact of Barack Obama’s election victory on America’s stance in international climate politics. … read more »
Extinction Rebellion: Meet the climate protesters blocking traffic in cities around the world
Robert Falkner and Bob Ward consider the impact of the Extinction Rebellion protests on policy making in the UK in this article looking at the tactics of the movement which has mounted protests around the world. read more »
2018
Paper wins International Studies Association English School Section Outstanding Research Paper Award
Dr Robert Falkner has won an award for a paper he co-authored with Professor Barry Buzan. Their paper ‘The Emergence of Environmental Stewardship as a Primary Institution of Global International … read more »
Call for papers for research workshop: ‘Great power responsibility and global environmental protection’ (29-30 June 2018)
“Great power involves great responsibility” (Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1945) – it has long been recognised that that great powers enjoy special privileges in international relations but also have special responsibilities, … read more »
2017
Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement: what next for international climate policy?
How damaging is Trump’s move to the Paris Agreement and international climate policy? And what can be done to contain the ‘Trump effect’? read more »
2015
The Road to Paris: Look beneath the surface for the new climate politics
Associate, Robert Falkner writes that, beneath the surface of diplomatic wrangling at the Paris climate summit, new drivers of global climate policy are making themselves heard. read more »
2014
The EU has agreed new emissions targets, but what hope is there for a global climate agreement in 2015?
LSE European Politics and Policy Blog, 24 October
Sad Irony of the 'Airpocalypse'
Financial Times – registration required.
2013
The burning hole at the heart of the G8 agenda. Why was climate change marginalised at the 2013 G8 summit?
David Cameron’s decision to not even mention the climate change challenge in the official G8 agenda has ruffled many feathers. Robert Falkner notes that the UK government now seems content to let … read more »
Grantham LSE Associate edits 'The Handbook of Global Climate and Environment Policy'
Robert Falkner presents a comprehensive overview of international policy on climate and the environment. The book brings together a global team of experts to explore current debates and the latest thinking in … read more »
Film and briefing paper on consensus in the climate change negotiations
The Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) gathered together seven experts on how to build consensus in climate change negotiations, and whether consensus in the UNFCCC is the way to save the … read more »
2012
Department of International Relations and Chatham House debate: 'The 'Rio+20' UN Summit: Global Crisis, or Global Rescue?'
The ‘Rio+20’ UN conference will take place in June, two decades after the ‘Earth Summit’ in Rio de Janeiro. What will it take to make environmental sustainability a global reality? This event marks the publication of a special issue of International Affairs on ‘Rio+20 and the global environment: reflections on theory and practice’. The event is taking place on Thursday 31 May 2012, from 6.30 to 8pm, at LSE. read more »
Article by Dr Robert Falkner included in MIT Press’s "50 Influential Journal Articles" anniversary celebration
Dr Falkner’s article, 'Private Environmental Governance and International Relations: exploring the links' (Global Environmental Politics 3:2, 2003), has been included in the list of 50 influential journal articles published in MIT Press journals, in honour of the Press’ 50th anniversary. Dr Falkner is in the International Relations Department at LSE and also a Grantham associate. read more »
2010
Getting a deal on climate change: Obama's flexible multiculturalism
‘It will be as different as night from day’, is how Senator John Kerry described the impact of Barack Obama’s election victory on America’s stance in international climate politics. Kerry … read more »
Protest and Power: can climate activism save the planet?
Event starts 23:40 minutes in. An audio podcast recording of this event is also available here. Can climate activism – from Extinction Rebellion to the school climate strikes – bring … read more »
2017
Grantham Workshop | Robert Falkner
Robert Falkner, Research Director at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics, will be the speaker for this seminar.
2016
Public lecture | Climate leadership before and after the Paris Agreement
This lecture, by Professor Robyn Eckersley, reviews the troubled history of the international norm of developed country leadership and the findings of comparative climate politics that explain this variation. It also offers some proposals on how the processes of reviewing NDCs might be strengthened to minimise the risk of self-differentiation degenerating into a self-serving apology for the protection of national interests. read more »
Grantham Seminar | The politics of green transformations in the global south: what role is there for a green state?
Grantham Seminar introduced and chaired by Dr. Robert Falkner This seminar starts from the puzzling observation that two countries from the global South (Costa Rica and Vietnam) with different political systems … read more »
VIDEO Public lecture | We'll always have Paris: COP21 and the new political economy of climate change
Michael Jacobs explores both the causes and the consequences of the Paris Agreement in this LSE public lecture. read more »
2015
European climate leadership and COP21 - assessing EU relations with China and India
This panel discussion event will reflect on the role of the EU, China, and India in global climate negotiations. read more »
2013
Multilateralism in Crisis: environmental conflict and stalemate in the trade and climate regimes
Hosted by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the International Relations department at LSE Those who argue that multilateralism is in crisis typically point to … read more »
Dr Robert Falkner - International relations and global action on climate change
In this lecture, Dr Robert Falkner explores the challenges of international action on climate change from the perspective of politics and international relations. This talk includes an introduction to international … read more »
2012
Professor David Vogel - Precautionary Politics: explaining the shift in global regulatory leadership from the United States to Europe
Hosted by LSE’s Department of International Relations and the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment Since 1990, the United States and the European Union have traded places. … read more »
The Global Development Post-Durban Of Policy Regimes To Combat Climate Change
Hosted by the Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy (CCCEP) and Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE) Downloads The outlook for international climate-change mitigation policies post-Durban Professor Nicholas … read more »
2011
Climate Diplomacy in Durban: behind closed doors
This presentation examines the Durban summit on climate change from the perspective of a government delegate. A participant in UN climate conferences since 2004, Professor Dimitrov will highlight key developments … read more »
Senator Lindsey O. Graham - US Energy and Climate Change Policy
Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment public lecture. Speaker: Senator Lindsey O. Graham Chair: Dr Robert Falkner, Senior Lecturer in International Relations at LSE More information: LSE … read more »
After Cancun: the prospects for international climate diplomacy
Hosted jointly by the Grantham Research Institute and CCCEP. Panellists: Peter Betts, Director of International Climate Strategy, UK Department of Energy and Climate Change – DECC Michael Jacobs, Visiting Professor … read more »
2010
From Copenhagen to Legoland? The rise of the building blocks approach in international climate policy
Speaker: Robert Falkner, Department of International Relations, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) Abstract of ‘From Copenhagen to Legoland?’ seminar The rise of the building blocks approach in … read more »
2009
Professor Jennifer Clapp - The Worldwide Anti-Plastics Shift: bags, bottles and global environmental governance
Chair: Dr Robert Falkner, senior lecturer in international relations at LSE Speaker: Professor Jennifer Clapp, University of Waterloo, Ontario
2013
The Handbook of Global Climate and Environment Policy
The Handbook of Global Climate and Environment Policy presents an authoritative and comprehensive overview of global policy on climate and the environment. It combines the strengths of an interdisciplinary team of experts from around the world to explore current debates and the latest thinking in the search for global environmental solutions. read more »
