From partial to integrated perspectives: How understanding worldviews can expand our capacity for transformative climate governance

Abstract

There is now widespread recognition that the dominant approaches to addressing the climate crisis to date have been insufficient. One reason for this is their failure to account for the influential role played by inner dimensions such as worldviews, values and beliefs in shaping how we understand and respond to this urgent issue. This paper explores how worldviews are both an insufficiently understood factor and an under-utilised tool that could enable more transformative governance responses to climate change. It introduces the concept of developmentally-based worldviews, focusing on the five worldviews most prevalent amongst leaders and managers today and how climate change is understood and approached by each. Applying a worldviews perspective to the global climate governance arena, the paper shows how operating from Conformist, Expert and Achiever worldviews can result in less capacity to respond to change and uncertainty, engage in reflective learning and be open to multiple perspectives - all aspects regarded as important for achieving transformative action - than operating from Pluralist and Strategist worldviews,. Tools such as mindfulness training and developmentally-informed leadership education are likely to be helpful in further developing the capacity of individuals and organisations to engage in truly transformative climate governance.