ABSTRACT
By definition, trans-local action exceeds the formal boundaries of local authorities. Supranational, national and regional structures and regulations as well as horizontal patterns of cooperation influence the scope of possible actions. Especially in the field of climate change, actions that transcend the boundaries of local governments are of utmost importance to local actors. In order to formulate and justify local policy measures in the face of a global threat, actors resort to upper-level government and engage in horizontal cooperation to gain knowledge and promote local actions against climate change. Empirical evidence suggests that local actors do not perceive the vertical and horizontal dimensions as separate but rather as parts of a coherent action space that encompasses every action and communication that transcends the municipal boundaries. However, for the purpose of our analyses it makes sense to distinguish both dimensions of the translocal action space. Each dimension includes specific forms of trans-local action. In order to explore these dimensions, we will draw on different strands of theoretical work on multi-level governance, Europeanisation and municipal networks.
