How civil society organizations influence environmental governance in the Global South

In the current decade, civil society organizations (CSOs) have become more deeply integrated into global environmental governance networks, playing a pivotal role in addressing urgent environmental challenges. Acting as key drivers of sustainable development, CSOs navigate complex political landscapes to collaborate with government entities, even in the face of less hospitable political climates found in many Global South states. A growing body of literature has recently begun to examine the strategies that have enabled CSOs in the Global South to foster meaningful partnerships with policymakers, thereby advancing effective environmental governance. By participating in multiple stages of policy processes, namely, formulation, implementation, and supervision, Global South CSOs effectively mitigate political risks while encouraging governments to design and enforce policies aligned with global environmental values.