氣候變遷議題所涵蓋的研究議題領域相當廣泛，在國際關係領域中，該議題與安全研究、國際談判與政策制定接軌，不過，如何回歸到理論的探討，卻是少有整體性的論述。本文以國際關係的理論脈絡為核心，分析氣候變遷議題導入理論研究的適用性，藉以釐清權力、合作與制度的作用，抑或需建構新理論分析此議題的發展。

Climate change is one of the greatest global challenges of the twenty-first century, and increasing evidence of present and anticipated impacts of climate change highlight the need for action. In addition to altering biophysical systems, climate change will affect human health and socio-economic well-being. In IR research field, climate change connects with security issue, international negotiation and policy-making. In this article, I try to analyze climate change issue with IR theory to research power, cooperation and institution, and to explain the possibility of new theory.