ABSTRACT

This chapter examines non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that play a role in addressing environmental issues. It provides an overview of categories of NGOs and outlines the range of approaches adopted by such NGOs, the strategies used, and their influence. The chapter discusses the plurality of NGOs involved in global environmental governance and the main paths through which they seek to influence outcomes. It examines NGOs involved in the area of environment and sustainable development in general, its empirical focus will be on NGOs that work in the realm of climate change governance. The chapter outlines milestones in international efforts to address sustainable development and negotiate multilateral environmental agreements, and provides an overview of NGO involvement at the events. It discusses the different types of NGOs, highlighting the diversity of NGOs and in general terms describing the range of approaches adopted by such NGOs.