Description
Scientists have identified the absence of global leadership as a crucial factor in the past 30 years’ failure to address the climate crisis. Studies in psychology also reveal that intense emotions are an essential element to drive people to act. This paper argues for the integration of emotions into the study of climate entrepreneurship. Recent research on transnational climate entrepreneurs has focused on their advocacy networks, skills, resources, and legitimacy. Environmental studies have generally emphasised how frames influence the rise of emotions such as eco-anxiety, but few scholars focus on what climate leaders say and feel. A better understanding of the emotions that drive these elites of transnational climate governance and how they use them to convince the public and other leaders will contribute to our knowledge of the mechanisms needed to provoke large-scale political change. In this comparative study, we conduct a content analysis of statements from diverse successful climate elite entrepreneurs, including billionaire Michael Bloomberg, youth activist Greta Thunberg, indigenous rights advocate Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Hollywood actress Jane Fonda, and former CEO of Unilever Paul Polman. We reveal how they use specific emotions and emotional metaphors to build their influence.