This theoretical article analyses the challenges to the consolidation of a global environmental governance system. Because the environment is public property that reaches beyond the physical borders of any nation state, special emphasis is placed on analyzing issues regarding participation in and the fragmentation of the organizational structure of the current transnational system of governance. For this purpose, the article asks to what extent the structure created under the auspices of the UN allows the democratic expression of the different interests involved in this matter. After a review of the main publications on the subject, the conclusion reached, based on Kazancigil (2005) and Hermet (2005) is that to curb the trend for the concentration of power among groups defending their own interests, it is necessary to reaffirm the sovereignty and legitimacy of the political field.
Global governance; Environment; Participation; The United Nations (UN)