Innovations in Climate Change Policy of German Major Cities The Influence of Trans-local Action in Comparison

Local climate policy is influenced by many factors. However, previous studies have barely considered the impact of trans-local activities on the diffusion of innovative climate policies. The article systematically examines the influence of structural contextual factors and political entrepreneurs as well as trans-local activities of cities. The analysis is conducted by means of aqualitative-comparative research design applying atwo-stage crisp set QCA. The results of the study show that structural factors can only partially explain the extensiveness of climate protection measures in major cities. The inclusion of trans-local action and policy entrepreneurship provides additional explanatory power as these factors may strengthen favorable and, on some occasion, substitute unfavorable structural conditions.