Top-down or bottom-up: which is the best approach to climate sustainability?

In the context of environmental policies, the terms 'top-down' and 'bottom-up' denote two distinct approaches to tackling the climate crisis. The first refers to strategies imposed from above, often by governments, international bodies or regulators, through laws, national plans and multilateral treaties. This is the approach used, for example, by the European Union with the Green Deal and by the international community with the Paris Agreement. The bottom-up approach, on the other hand, comes from the bottom up: it includes voluntary actions by citizens, businesses, local communities, NGOs and municipal governments. Understanding these models is crucial for designing effective and scalable climate strategies. Both aim at an ecological transition, but follow very different decision-making and operational paths. For more, the 2023 IPCC report offers a detailed analysis of these approaches: IPCC AR6 Synthesis Report.

The top-down approach is based on the ability of states and supranational institutions to activate structured and binding policies. This model allows the climate problem to be tackled in a systemic manner, integrating clear objectives, public funding and regulatory instruments. This is the case with the European Fit for 55 package, which obliges member states to reduce emissions by 55% by 2030, and the National Energy and Climate Plans (PNIEC). The main advantages include speed of implementation, uniformity of standards and the ability to influence carbon-intensive sectors such as transport, energy and industry. However, the limit of the top-down approach is its poor adaptability to local specificities, as well as lower citizen participation in decision-making processes. Nevertheless, it remains essential to coordinate efforts on a global scale and to ensure that commitments are met in a consistent and verifiable manner.

The bottom-up approach emphasises local initiative, co-design and the direct participation of citizens and stakeholders. It is a model that promotes social and environmental innovation from below, often with tangible and immediate results. Virtuous examples are participatory budgets for green projects, renewable energy districts, community cooperatives and regenerative agriculture practices. This approach proves to be particularly effective in adapting to climate change, thanks to local knowledge and the ability to respond quickly. Furthermore, it generates empowerment, increases environmental awareness and stimulates sustainable behaviour. The main limitations lie in the fragmented nature of initiatives and the difficulty of measuring their overall impact.

The contrapposition between top-down and bottom-up is partly misleading. In practice, the most effective climate strategies integrate the two approaches in a multi-level governance logic. Institutions can create regulatory and financial frameworks that facilitate local action, while communities can provide feedback, innovations and replicable models. An emblematic example is the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, promoted by the European Commission, which combines institutional objectives with concrete territorial initiatives. Similarly, the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent a top-down framework that can be declined into bottom-up local projects. The future of climate sustainability thus depends on the ability to create ecosystems of cooperation between public, private and civil society, where policies are co-created and results shared.

There is no single answer to the question of which approach is best. The choice between top-down and bottom-up depends on the context, the objectives and scale of the intervention. In a complex and interconnected world such as ours, it is crucial to develop hybrid strategies, capable of combining strategic vision and territorial action. Climate emergencies require rapid and coordinated action, but also local solutions capable of responding effectively to specific needs. True success is achieved when global decisions meet with citizen participation, generating systemic and inclusive change. For informed decisions, data, case studies and best practices must be analysed, but above all, a culture of collaboration must be promoted.

This article has been realised within the project "Biodiversity services EU expansion" (CUP: E43D22000480009) in the framework of the Lombardy Region's call for tenders "PR FESR 2021-2027 - LINEA INTERNAZIONALIZZAZIONE 21-27", aimed at supporting the internationalisation of Italian companies. 3Bee is the naturetech company that develops innovative technologies for monitoring, protecting and regenerating biodiversity, supporting companies in defining customised climate strategies based on the analysis of their impacts and dependencies on nature. With an established portfolio in Italy, Germany and France and prominent partnerships, 3Bee continues its expansion into international markets to create real impact through technology.