2025, Vol. 7, Issue 9, Part C

This paper revisits the role of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in global environmental governance (GEG) from 2000 to 2020 through multiple theoretical lenses, including Realism, Liberal Institutionalism, Regime Theory, Constructivism, and Polycentric Governance. It examines UNEP's institutional strengths, such as its agenda-setting capabilities and norm diffusion, while also addressing its structural weaknesses, including funding dependence and lack of enforcement power. By applying these theoretical frameworks, the paper provides insights into UNEP's contributions to GEG and its evolving role in addressing contemporary environmental challenges. The analysis underscores the importance of understanding UNEP's position within the broader context of global governance and highlights the need for a theoretical reassessment of its effectiveness in the Anthropocene.