AbstractThe effective control of climate change rests, to a great extent, on governance mechanisms to protect the global commons as a type of common pool resource on a global scale. This calls for action beyond the boundaries of the state and of local interests. Collective solutions at the global level are needed as a means of sharing in the promises that globalisation holds. Moreover, global policies need to rest on the harmonisation of local and national interests in order to be effectively implemented. The attendant implementation challenges are addressed in this article with reference to Brazil's experience, against the backdrop of considerations also applicable to other developing countries. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.