Global governance

The last several decades have witnessed serious challenges to global sustainability, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, fishery depletion, food insecurity and increasing poverty. These issues are complex in terms of policy areas and actors. Climate change is a good example of this complexity. The environmental effects of climate change can have a huge impact on socioeconomic systems. For example, extreme weather can reduce crop yields, which in turn can affect food security. Global warming may increase the spread of infectious diseases, which can have serious impacts on human health. A rise in sea level can put coastal communities in danger. Dealing with the effects of climate change requires actions across many policy areas by various relevant actors. And, despite the fact that global sustainability is recognized as a “common” challenge, the actors involved have different stakes and motivations. In addition, actions that either cause or mitigate global sustainability problems produce effects across territorial borders. Consequently these challenges cannot be solved by unilateral actions confined within national borders. A mechanism that guides concerted action at the global level is required.

Related Subject(s): Environment and Climate Change