This position paper provides an initial overview of the role of tripartite partnerships for climate change in the broader framework of policy options available to address the issue. First, we will position partnerships in relation to other policy modes for climate change, including emissions trading schemes, voluntary agreements and individual corporate selfregulation. Next, partnerships for climate change will be explored empirically, taking two existing databases for their tripartite initiatives into account and the extent to which they focus on development. Suggestions for further work on tripartite partnerships for climate change and development will be indicated.
