ASSIGNMENT 1 SEMESTER 2 2025
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 25 AUGUST 2025
, Legal Aspects of Environmental Management
Title: Environmental Governance and Its Role in Environmental Management
Introduction
Environmental governance is a key pillar of sustainable development, ensuring that
environmental resources are managed responsibly, equitably, and transparently. It
encompasses the policies, regulations, processes, and institutions that guide
environmental decision-making. As the global community faces pressing environmental
challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, the importance of
effective environmental governance has become increasingly evident. This essay
evaluates the concept of environmental governance and outlines its main components
within the context of environmental management.
Understanding Environmental Governance
Environmental governance refers to the frameworks and processes through which
decisions related to the environment are made, implemented, and enforced. It includes
the roles and responsibilities of government bodies, private sector actors, civil society,
and international institutions in managing environmental resources. Unlike traditional
government-based regulation, governance involves a multi-level and multi-actor
approach that emphasises participation, accountability, and transparency.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) defines environmental
governance as "the rules, practices, policies, and institutions that shape how humans
interact with the environment." This concept acknowledges that effective environmental
protection requires collaboration among different stakeholders and sectors of society.