The Evolution Of Global Environmental Politics As A Field Of Inquiry Over The Past Three Decades

Global environmental politics (GEP) has evolved significantly over the past three decades, emerging as a distinct interdisciplinary field that transcends traditional frameworks in international relations. This paper traces the development of GEP from its state-centric origins in the 1970s and 1980s, through its institutionalisation at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, to its contemporary focus on justice, equity, and plural governance. The paper highlights key innovations, including the integration of Earth system science, critiques of neoliberal environmentalism, and the centrality of climate change research, while noting persistent challenges such as North-South inequities and the marginalisation of non-climate issues. The field’s expansion to incorporate non-state actors, Indigenous knowledge, and critical methodologies reflects its maturation into a transformative domain addressing Anthropocene challenges. However, tensions remain between incremental reform and systemic change, as well as between academic rigour and policy relevance. This analysis underscores GEP’s vital role in reimagining global governance for an era of ecological crisis.