Role of Informal Governance in Addressing Climate Change: A Comprehensive Review of Local and Community-Driven Solutions

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the critical but underexplored role of informal governance in addressing "dark carbon", which is unaccounted carbon emissions from microbial, geological, and anthropogenic sources that are frequently overlooked in Earth System Models and climate policies. A systematic review of 80 peer-reviewed studies is conducted to assess how decentralized, non-state, and community-based actors contribute to climate mitigation and adaptation, particularly where formal governance frameworks fall short. The review reveals that informal governance mechanisms, including indigenous practices, local NGOs, and citizen science initiatives, effectively identify and respond to hidden carbon sources. These actors exhibit adaptive capacity, deep local knowledge, and legitimacy, often surpassing formal systems in responsiveness and innovation. However, challenges such as limited scalability, resource constraints, and weak policy integration remain. Informal governance is not simply supplementary but fundamental to addressing climate governance blind spots, particularly in managing dark carbon. The study underscores the need for integrated governance models that bridge formal and informal systems and recommends incorporating dark carbon awareness into monitoring frameworks, policy design, and public discourse to enhance the inclusivity, equity, and resilience of climate action.