환경거버넌스는 환경문제를 해결하기 위한 노력의 일환으로서 과거의 정부주도적인 방법이나 지시 일변도의 방법이 아닌 보다 새로운 형식의 접근을 의미한다. 종래의 통치 개념은 국가 중심으로 정부와 공식적 권위당국이 주도하는 문제해결이 주요 방법이었다. 그러나 거버넌스는 이보다 넓게 시민 사회와 비공식기구들도 공동체적 삶의 관리와 운영에 참여하여 협력하고 제휴하는 것을 강조 한다.
일반적으로 국가의 역할과 영향력이 점차 약화되는 모습을 보이는 추세와는 달리 기후 변화와 같은 전 지구적인 환경문제는 국가 단위의 공동대응과 협력을 요구하고 있다. 오늘날 경제의 집중적인 발전을 위한 노력들은 환경문제를 부수적으로 야기 시켰으며, 이러한 환경문제는 국민 대중들에게도 관심이 점차 고조되고 있는 것이 사실이다. 관심이 고조된다는 것은 그 만큼 이해관계가 첨예하게 대립 될 수도 있다는 점에서 다양한 이해를 조정하고 집합행동 문제를 해결하기 위한 노력도 필요하게 된다. 이러한 의미에서 환경거버넌스의 필요성이 더욱 대두된다고 하겠다.
또한 환경거버넌스는 개별국가의 중앙수준에서 이루어지는 국정관리를 포함하여 지방수준에서의 공공문제 해결은 물론, 더 나아가서는 전 세계수준에서의 관리와 운영을 가리키는 다수준적 개념으로 쓰인다. 이러한 환경거버넌스의 효율성은 이미 많은 예에서 찾아볼 수 있다. 따라서 이러한 환경거버넌스의 효율성의 연구는 환경문제를 해결해야하는 지방자치단체에서부터 국가수준에 이르기까지 당면한 과제를 해결하기위한 이론적인 기초로서 중요한 연구라고 할 수 있다.
According to the political scientist Roderick Rhodes, the concept of governance is currently used in contemporary social sciences with at least six different meanings: the minimal State, corporate governance, new public management, good governance, social-cybernetic systems and self-organised networks. The term "governance" is a very versatile one. It is used in connection with several contemporary social sciences, especially economics and political science. It originates from the need of economics (as regards corporate governance) and political science (as regards State governance) for an all-embracing concept capable of conveying diverse meanings not covered by the traditional term "government". This paper intend to research the Efficiency of the Environmental Governance. ‘Governance’ arises to explain the action of the government or the society. Some of the political scientists thought the term of ‘government’ is not enough to explain the actions or the results of the traditional government. ‘Governance’ is that separate process or certain part of management or leadership process that makes decisions that define expectations, grant power, or verify performance. Also, Environmental Governance will enhance the institutional capacity, strengthen the civil society, and will enhance the respect for human rights and democracy. And, Governance will make increased transparency and accountability of public sector institutions and will open and fair market environment and predictable regulatory system. I think the Environmental Governance will have the assignment to reach the 「Sustainable Society」. It’ll be the co-operation with the related institutions, separated local government, and civil societies. Also, international relations will need to help each other to achieve the「Sustainable Development」.
According to the political scientist Roderick Rhodes, the concept of governance is currently used in contemporary social sciences with at least six different meanings: the minimal State, corporate governance, new public management, good governance, social-cybernetic systems and self-organised networks. The term "governance" is a very versatile one. It is used in connection with several contemporary social sciences, especially economics and political science. It originates from the need of economics (as regards corporate governance) and political science (as regards State governance) for an all-embracing concept capable of conveying diverse meanings not covered by the traditional term "government". This paper intend to research the Efficiency of the Environmental Governance. ‘Governance’ arises to explain the action of the government or the society. Some of the political scientists thought the term of ‘government’ is not enough to explain the actions or the results of the traditional government. ‘Governance’ is that separate process or certain part of management or leadership process that makes decisions that define expectations, grant power, or verify performance. Also, Environmental Governance will enhance the institutional capacity, strengthen the civil society, and will enhance the respect for human rights and democracy. And, Governance will make increased transparency and accountability of public sector institutions and will open and fair market environment and predictable regulatory system. I think the Environmental Governance will have the assignment to reach the 「Sustainable Society」. It’ll be the co-operation with the related institutions, separated local government, and civil societies. Also, international relations will need to help each other to achieve the「Sustainable Development」.