The Glocal Challenge: Distributional Politics and the Global South—A Conversation with Federica Genovese

In this episode of Planetary Choices, we sit down with Federica Genovese, Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Oxford University, to explore the tangled relationship between climate politics, global power, and the future of democracy. During the episode, Federica takes us from the negotiating rooms of the UN to the coal-dependent communities of Indonesia and Brazil, unpacking how fossil fuel interests, emerging economies, and geopolitical rivalries are reshaping the climate agenda. We discuss the rise of climate realism, the impact of Trump’s return to the White House, and China’s paradoxical role as both carbon giant and green energy powerhouse. And we ask: can democracy still deliver on climate, or do we need to wait for the next window of opportunity?