Global environmental governance in the Anthropocene: breaking out of the enclosures?

Authors

  • Lucy Ford
  • Gabriella Kuetting

Abstract

This paper addresses some of the most fundamental questions of the ways in which 'global environmental governance' is both conceived and constructed as concept and practice. We join with other critical scholars to point out how orthodox, problem-solving environmental governance, rather than being ecologically and socially effective, is more concerned with institutional effectiveness. We review the ways in which this mainstream approach might actually be stabilising and perpetuating a world order based on inequality and ecological destruction. In order that movements for sustainability can develop more positive responses to the Anthropocene challenges, we question the very parameters of action, the very economic, political and socio-cultural structures that are perpetuating social injustice and ecological degradation. We use a concept of 'enclosure' to refer to the way in which the mainstream concepts shut down and limit our thinking and practice. In a positive conclusion, we utilize the CONVERGE project's broad focus on achieving equity within planetary limits to assess the de-growth movement as breaking out of these enclosures.

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Published

29-07-2017