The Rules of Engagement: Conditions for City-To-City Learning on Climate Change Policy

City representatives actively share and seek knowledge, experiences, and solutions to address climate change challenges. This research investigates the question: What conditions explain engagement in city-to-city learning on climate change policy? To answer this, the study defines engagement as an active, directed approach of sharing and seeking policy information. It identifies 14 potential conditions influencing engagement, categorized into five broad areas: internal context, partner attributes, intercity relations, boundary spanners, and individual characteristics. Using a global survey and quantitative analyses, the study determines the most influential conditions. Findings highlight the importance of individual characteristics—particularly the frequency of working on climate change-related issues and the number of years an individual has worked for the city. Additionally, internal context, especially local pressures, plays a crucial role in shaping engagement in C2C learning.