The United Nations and the reform of the institutional architecture of international environmental law

Abstract

For several decades now, the international community has recognized that the institutional architecture of international environmental law needs to be reformed, as it is a fragmented institutional system that lacks coherence. The United Nations has launched several initiatives to improve coordination in this structure. Among the proposals that have been discussed within the Organization, the creation of a United Nations Environment Organization, based on the United Nations Environment Program, has been at the forefront. Unfortunately, the inability of the States to reach agreement on this proposal has led to the implementation of alternative measures consisting essentially of strengthening the Program and coordinating the bodies of multilateral environmental agreements. These measures are clearly insufficient and once again highlight the deficiencies and gaps in the governance of international environmental law and the unwillingness of States to resolve them effectively.