Transforming Governance and Institutions for Global sustainability

Transforming Governance and Institutions for Global  Sustainability 
Key Insights from the Earth System Governance Project

- This paper argues that current governance not strong enough and that incrementalism is not adequate
- Four themes in pape r- power, knowledge, norms, and scale
- Case study themes are water, food, climate, economic
- 900 treaties in place currently since 1972
- Decision makers must devise roadmap for strong institutional change
- Stregnthen international environmental treaties -  Social scientists have made substancial progress in terms of factors that -> effectiveness of treaties. (a) Speed up negotiation by governments using existing mech and breaking down into smaller packages (b) Put in place shallow but inclusive agreements that can be built on later (c) Negotiate treaties dynamically (d) Clearly articulated goals , clear process to adopt new scientific findings(e) Need stronger reliance on qualified majority voting (not veto power of single nations - qualfiied by size of nations potentially)
- Manage conflicts between MEA's - First principle of respect objectives of other treaties. Example of conflict is emphasis on sound science vs the precautionary principle. For example need to look at production processes rather than just products and technology development in the short term. Volentary standards can be a good sources in this respect.Policies also need to be mainstreamed.
- Fill regulatory gaps - For example regulation on new technologies such as nano technologies. Also water goverance  - currently dispersed over several UN agencies. Food governance - given inc food prices, biofuels, commodity speculation. Also energy to reconcille the need for 3-5 times more energy with development needs.
- Upgrade UNEP and UNCSD -   Most of authors see upgrading UNEP to an agency This would effectively create a world environmental organisation.  Also critical to start to take UN commission on sustainable developmment in its integrative role.
- Streagnthen National Governance -  Shortcomings of international largely reflect on shortcomings on domestic. New policy instruments including non state actors have become popular. Volentary arragementse , emmission trading. But they need to be embedded and questions about transparency , equity implications, ad effectiveness.
- Streamlinging governance beyond nation state -  new types of goverance including public-private partnerships, transnational labelling schemes, and hybrid market solutions. Research evidences that the partnerships type approach is a let down. Represent symbolic- politics. Lack of funding structure, targets, goals, and accountability -> lack of success. Need a better methodology for verification and monitoring of progress.  Findings on transnational labelling schemes require  multiple stakeholderes, built in accountability, and consumer demand. only a few schemes in place and only for commercial growing type schemes rather than broader issues such as poverty etc. CDM etc are important supplementary to rather than in replacement of government action.  Governments must work to improve institutional capacity, increase representation of local stakeholders, changing uneven monitoring of claimed benefits, and rebalancing global and local benefits.  Also new research on importance of cities - who have become engaged with issues of global risk. need global drivers to inspire and engage.
-  Strengthen accountability and legitimacy -   Demand for more access and accountability for stakeholders. Standard setting for example - requires broad responsiveness to south and north to enable participation. A reform strategy should include learning/knowledge accross stakeholders as well as trust building to -> legitimacy.  Mandatory disclosure of accessible, comparable, must be made available.
- Address Equity concerns within and amoung countries -  Environmental concerns are inherantly political in nature which inc need for democratic resolutions. Policy is rarely made by poorest . Need to find ways to ensure their participation. Financial transfer at unprecedented levels are inevitable either through direct support payments or market mechanisms.  There is confusion within funding agencies and requirement for increased coherance and broader distribution.
- Prepare global goverance for a warmer world -  Need for adaptive local governance systems. Institutional frameworks with multiplel levels of authority, information networks (pooling knowledge), project future challenges, build adaptive capacity.