Journal of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination

CARBON MANAGEMENT PATHWAYS AND LOW-EMISSION TRANSITIONS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF POLICY COORDINATION IN EMERGING ECONOMIES

Abid Qaiyum Suleri

Executive Director, Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Islamabad, Pakistan

Qamar-uz-Zaman Chaudhry

Climate Change Specialist, Former Director General, Pakistan Meteorological Department, Islamabad, Pakistan

Keywords: Carbon management, low-emission transition, emerging economies, climate governance, policy coordination, carbon pricing, renewable energy transition

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Abstract

The transition toward low-emission development pathways represents one of the most pressing policy challenges for emerging economies. Rapid industrialization, urbanization, and growing energy demands intensify carbon emissions, while institutional capacity, financial constraints, and policy fragmentation complicate mitigation efforts. This study provides a comparative analysis of carbon management strategies and policy coordination mechanisms across selected emerging economies in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Drawing upon governance theory, climate policy frameworks, and institutional coordination models, the paper examines how national development priorities intersect with global climate commitments such as the Paris Agreement. The analysis highlights the role of cross-sectoral coordination, market-based mechanisms (e.g., carbon pricing and emissions trading systems), renewable energy integration, and public-private partnerships. Findings indicate that countries with integrated policy frameworks, centralized monitoring systems, and strong regulatory oversight demonstrate more effective emission reduction trajectories. However, disparities in institutional capacity and financing mechanisms remain critical barriers. The study concludes by proposing a multi-level coordination framework to enhance carbon governance and accelerate low-emission transitions in emerging economies

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