This is a broad themed research project that will examine possible new directions for global environmental governance in the face of existing weak mechanisms. The project team will propose ways in which current mechanisms such as international environmental agreements and institutions could be strengthened and how to foster coherence and positive synergies within clusters of similar international environmental agreements. It will also look beyond the state-based environmental agreements and institutions to examine creative roles for other players (private actors, NGOs, markets, municipalities, etc.) in the global bid to address the world’s major environmental issues.  It will look at the broader debates on international environmental governance mechanisms and assess their legitimacy and authority.