ABSTRACT
In this chapter, a discussion on the theories of regional cooperation (realism, liberalism, constructivism, and functionalism) has been taken up to understand the suitability of a particular framework to study climate change and regional cooperation in South Asia. This chapter takes functionalism as an appropriate framework since this theory argues that states agree to arrangements/agreements to solve common problems for common good as they cannot solve them unilaterally. It is within the framework of functionalism that seeks cooperative ventures based on mutual advantage and in which participating states have common problems to address as well as provides for re-evaluating their interests in the context of mutual benefit that this study on Climate Change in South Asia: Politics, Policies and the SAARC is being undertaken.
