ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the possibility of applying the integrity approach to polycentric systems, which comprise a multitude of institutional, corporate and individual agents not all of which have a clear public institutional justification. The integrity approach and the Comprehensive Integrity Framework, upon which this collection is focused, provide a tool for analysing the extent to which an institutional agent lives up to its Public Institutional Justification (PIJ). Emerging polycentric systems form a significant part of the global efforts to address climate change. Ostrom argues that while an international treaty is a major step, they must also recognize the strengths of evolving polycentric systems in addressing global collective action problems such as climate change. Polycentric agents form part of the external context in which global and national institutions exist and which influences their consistency-integrity. Strong domestic and trans-national polycentric systems are likely to benefit the integrity of global and national institutions addressing climate change.
