Non-State Actors: Science, Commerce and Global Civil Society

Abstract

One of the hallmarks of the global politics of the environment has been the growth in number, scope and activity of a range of non-state actors, including scientific organisations, industry and business, environmental and conservation organisations, grass-roots movements and indigenous peoples’ organisations, who have sought in various ways to influence environmental policy or who have become crucial environmental actors. Section III of Agenda 21 acknowledged this broadening of the list of stakeholders, anticipating roles in environmental governance and the pursuit of sustainable development for a variety of sectors of society, collectively defined as the ‘independent sector’ or the major groups. While some mention is made in this chapter of the role of the scientific community and multinational corporations (MNCs), the main focus here is the growth of global civil society through non-governmental organisations.