When the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C this past October, it recited a familiar message, but expressed that message in the direst terms yet: climate change impacts are already being felt around the world, exacting a considerable toll on natural and human systems. If we are to avoid this outcome it is clear we need effective policies. Featuring articles on the political economy of carbon pricing, fiduciary duties incumbent on pension fund trustees, non-adversarial parametric Insurance schemes and agricultural policies in climate governance, this issue illustrates the challenges that politics pose to drawing up policies to meet challenges outlined in the IPCC report.