Environmental Governance
Introduction
Environmental governance is a concept in political ecology and environmental policy that advocates for sustainable development as the supreme consideration for managing all human activities—political, social and economic. The term often implies a broader meaning that includes the environment, as well as the importance of human activities in shaping the environment, and the ways in which environmental changes affect human society.
Concept and Origins
The origins of environmental governance can be traced back to the environmental movement of the 1960s and 1970s, when issues such as air pollution, water pollution, and the conservation of biodiversity began to draw public attention. This led to the establishment of environmental legislation and regulatory bodies in many countries, as well as the development of international environmental agreements.
Principles of Environmental Governance
The principles of environmental governance are based on the idea that environmental issues are complex and cannot be understood or managed through a single disciplinary or departmental approach. Instead, they require a holistic approach that considers the interconnections between different environmental issues, as well as the social, economic and political contexts in which they occur.
Mechanisms of Environmental Governance
Environmental governance operates through various mechanisms, including laws, regulations, agreements, policies, and practices. These mechanisms are used to manage environmental resources, regulate human activities that affect the environment, and promote sustainable development.
Challenges in Environmental Governance
Despite the progress made in environmental governance over the past few decades, many challenges remain. These include the complexity of environmental issues, the difficulty of coordinating actions across different levels of governance, and the need for greater public participation in environmental decision-making.
Future of Environmental Governance
The future of environmental governance lies in the ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions and to incorporate new scientific knowledge into governance processes. This will require innovative approaches to governance that are flexible, adaptive, and capable of dealing with uncertainty and complexity.