DEFINITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE

What is Environmental Governance? There are many definitions but I found them all wanting. Hence, I formulated my own, taking into consideration the various ideas I learned while studying and teaching EcoGov courses. Notice that my definition has Public Administration and International Relations undertones (it reflects my academic background). If you have questions or comments, e-mail me at efloranoy@yahoo.com. Please quote me when you use this definition. I consider this as an important contribution to the emerging discipline of EcoGov. Thank you.

ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE can be defined or characterized as:

1Multi-level interactions (i.e., local, national, international/global) among, but not limited to, three main actors, i.e., state, market, and civil society, which interact with one another, whether in formal and informal ways;
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2.in formulating and implementing policies in response to environment-related demands and inputs from the society;
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3.bound by rules, procedures, processes, and widely-accepted behavior;
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4.possessing characteristics of “good governance”;
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5.for the purpose of attaining environmentally-sustainable development.