When do oil autocracies formally commit to climate change mitigation?

Existing literature suggests that there is an autocratic disadvantage in climate change mitigation commitment, even amongst oil-rich countries. Yet, evidence suggests that there is no universal disadvantage of autocracies, as some hydrocarbon-rich exporting autocracies are more formally committed to climate change mitigation than other hydrocarbon-rich exporting autocracies. I find that hydrocarbon-rich exporting autocracies with lower hydrocarbon rent dependence are more likely to be formally committed to climate change mitigation than hydrocarbon-rich exporting autocracies with higher dependence. I also find that the negative impact of hydrocarbon rent dependence on climate change mitigation policy output weakens or disappears at lower levels of international investment ties and higher levels of international diplomatic ties. While IOs, NGOs and ESG investors must understand that formal climate change mitigation commitment does not mean successful implementation, my research can help policymakers and investors identify aiding factors in the policy intention to mitigate climate change.