Introduction
There are an unprecedented number of elections in countries worldwide scheduled for 2024. Globally, more voters than ever in history will head to the polls as at least 64 countries (plus the European Union)—representing a combined population of about 49% of the people in the world—are meant to hold national elections, the results of which, for many, will prove consequential for years to come.
In Post 73, Climate Scorecard asked our Country Managers to describe the implications for climate policies and programs of the 2024 elections in their countries. Specifically, we asked them to answer the following questions:
- What are the most important elections in your country in 2024? How often do they take place, and what is the length of the term of office? Why are they so important?
- Who are the candidates and their political positions on climate change? Are they making climate a priority in their campaign? If so, why; if not, why? Are they making any new climate policy pledges as part of their campaigns? Are they promising to keep, improve, or eliminate existing policies?
- What political parties do the candidates represent, and do these parties have a position on climate change?
- What is the position of the candidates towards international collaboration in general and the Paris Agreement specifically? Why are they taking these positions? Do they support the recent Climate Agreements that emerged from COP 28? What are their positions towards fossil fuels and renewable energy?
- Who are the candidates’ main donors and political bases, and do they support climate change policies? What age, race, gender, and geographic groups support the candidates?
The table below summarizes the key 2024 elections in each country covered by the Climate Scorecard. Reports for each country follow:
| Country | Key 2024 Country Elections |
| Australia |
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| Brazil |
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| Canada |
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| China |
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| European Union |
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| France |
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| Germany |
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| India |
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| Indonesia |
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| Japan |
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| Mexico |
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| Nigeria |
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| Saudi Arabia |
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| South Africa |
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| Spain |
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| United Kingdom |
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| United States |
|
Country Reports
The Importance of Queensland State Election for Climate Policy in Australia
Australia, like many countries around the world, will be holding many elections in 2024. All Australian states and territories have fixed-term political representative appointments, except for Tasmania, and all Australian states and territories hold their elections every three or four years. In 2024, residents of Queensland, Tasmania, the Northern Territory, and the Australian Capital Region…
2024 Municipal Elections in 5,000 Cities in Brazil
In 2024, the 26 mayors of the capitals and more than 5,500 other cities in the country will be chosen, in addition to representatives of the City Council in each of them. Municipalities with more than 200,000 voters will hold a second round if necessary. The date of the first round will be on the…
Canada’s Next Federal Election (Must be held by Fall 2025)
There are an unprecedented number of elections in countries worldwide scheduled for 2024. In Canada, a federal election must be held before October 20, 2025, under the fixed-date statutory provisions of the Canada Elections Act. The Act requires a federal election be held on the third Monday in October in the fourth calendar year after…
Taiwan Has Elected a New President who Promises to Continue on the Path to Net-Zero Emissions
On January 13, 2024, Taiwan’s 20 million eligible voters were asked to vote for a new president. Taiwan’s constitution compelled incumbent President Tsai Ying-wen from the Democratic Progressive Party to step down as president after having served out two four-year terms. After the elections, her former Vice President, Lai Ching-te, was named President-Elect. The president…
Right Wing Gains in Upcoming Parliamentary Elections Could Diminish EU Support for Climate Policy
On February 6, 2024, the European Commission published a detailed climate impact assessment that proposed a goal of reducing EU net greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 in order to reach its goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, highlighting that climate action continues to play a prominent role in EU political discussions….
French Voters Align Themselves with Climate Positions Of European Political Parties
Number of MEPs from France elected to the European Parliament in 2019 by European political party grouping Source: Statista.comWhile the next presidential election in France will not be until 2027, the next elections will be the European Parliament elections of French representatives that will take place on June 9, 2024. These elections take place every…
Multiple Elections in Germany Make It Hard to Predict the Impact on Climate Change Policy
There are a good number of important elections this year in Germany. First and foremost are the European Parliament representatives. In addition, the regional elections for the estate parliament in the eastern German states of Saxony, Brandenburg, and Thuringia also occur this year. Furthermore, local elections (Kommunalwahl) in seven states will take place as well….
2024 Parliamentary Elections in India Will Affect Climate Policy
The year 2024 is not an election year but an election year with more than 64 countries, including the European Union, slated to go to polls involving more than 50% of the world population to exercise their franchise to elect their popular governments and political leaders broadly rooted in the will of the people. The…
Indonesia’s President-Elect Has a Good Climate Policy, but Will He Implement It?
The 2024 Presidential election is the fifth general election in Indonesia. Voters elected a President and a Vice President on 14 February 2024. The elections will also choose parliamentary and local representatives. The presidential elections occur once in a five-year tenure in Indonesia. This year’s election is especially important as it will mark the first…
Climate Change is not Expected to be a Priority Political Issue in Upcoming Elections in Japan
Unlike nations with a presidential system, Japan employs a parliamentary system where the populace does not directly elect the Prime Minister. Instead, the Prime Minister is selected through elections for the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. Currently, no elections for either house are scheduled for 2024. However, due to political funding issues…
Climate Policy Likely to be a Priority in the Mexican 2024 Elections
The following post describes the implications for climate policies and programs of the 2024 elections in Mexico, where the most critical race is the presidential elections. It typically occurs every six years, with the president serving a single six-year term. These elections are crucial because they determine the direction of the country’s governance, including policies…
Upcoming Edo State Governor Elections in Nigeria
In Nigeria, the spotlight is on the 2024 gubernatorial elections, particularly the Edo State governorship election scheduled for September 21. Gubernatorial elections occur at regular intervals, typically every four years and their outcomes can profoundly impact the state’s climate policies. The length of the term of office, once elected, is crucial to understanding the duration…
No Significant Elections Scheduled in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia doesn’t have any elections planned in 2024. Saudi Arabia’s absolute monarchy restricts almost all political rights and civil liberties. No officials at the national level are elected. Nonpartisan elections for advisory councils at the municipal level happened in 2015. Two-thirds of the members on the 284 councils were elected, while the rest of…
South Africa’s 2024 General Elections Have Implications for Climate Policy
General elections will be held in South Africa in May of this year. South Africa will elect new National Assembly members as well as the provincial legislatures in each province. The elections are done after every five years. Over 350 political parties are expected to contest the 2024 general elections. However, the main political parties…
Internal Regional Political Polarization Threatens Spain’s Climate Policies
The last presidential elections in Spain were held in July 2023. Although the left-wing Socialist Party (PSOE), which was in power, received fewer votes than its primary right-wing opponent (PP), it managed to stay in government by forming a strategic alliance with regional political parties, especially those in the Catalonia region with separatist tendencies from…
Upcoming UK Parliamentary General Elections Has Significance for Climate Policy
The pivotal upcoming events in the United Kingdom’s political landscape are the General Elections, held every five years to elect members of the House of Commons, the lower house of Parliament. The Prime Minister emerges as the party’s leader, securing the most seats in the House of Commons. Since the current Parliament convened on December…
The US Presidential Election is Hugely Important to the Future of Climate Policy
The 2024 US presidential election is likely the most critical in America’s history. It has significant implications for the country’s climate policy.The two leading candidates – Joe Biden (Democrat and incumbent) and Donald Trump (Republican and past President) – have vehemently opposed views on climate change. President Biden strongly supports the Paris Agreement and passed…