ABSTRACT
A reform and strengthening of institutions, and the wider framework within which they work, is needed to support sustainable development. The integration of economic, social and environmental policies continues to challenge institutions at all levels (UNEP, 2002). Wider participation by all stakeholders and good governance are also needed, and these are based on greater accountability, transparency, access to information, equity and social justice. Such issues have been well recognized. In 2002, the Human Development Report called for more democratic principles in global institutions and reiterated not only the need for new frameworks to be efficient and effective, but also to be just, equitable and conducive to human development (UNDP, 2002). Similarly, the 2002–2004 World Resources Institute (WRI) report Decisions for the Earth: Balance, Voice and Power makes it clear that ‘poor environmental governance – decisions taken without transparency, participation of all stakeholders, and full accountability – is a failure we can no longer live with in an era when human decisions, not natural processes, dominate the global environment’ (WRI, 2003). Others have noted that voluntary processes and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) could also benefit from improved governance and processes.
