UNEP Major Groups Facilitating Committee: An Evolving System

Abstract

This human ecology thesis scrutinizes the Major Groups Facilitating Committee (MGFC) as an evolving system for stakeholder participation in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Mixed research methods for both quantitative and qualitative data have been used to describe and analyze the context, elements, flows and purpose of the MGFC. The paper presents the role of the MGFC, the history leading up to its establishment and current composition, and existing rules that it needs to comply with. It maps the membership of the MGFC over time from 2008-2013, describes information flows and financial flows in and through the MGFC, and studies how the MGFC Terms of Reference have been met. It further presents compiled suggestions for how to improve the performance of the MGFC, which could be implemented by the newly elected members. The study concludes that the MGFC is an evolving tool for earth system governance, and if used right by dedicated actors it has potential to help bring about global environmental sustainability.