A UN Special Envoy for Future Generations

Peter Lawrence; Michael Reder

doi:10.1017/9781009655859.012

8 - A UN Special Envoy for Future Generations

from Part III - Case Studies

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 19 September 2025

Peter Lawrence and

Michael Reder

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Peter Lawrence: Affiliation:
University of Tasmania
Michael Reder: Affiliation:
Hochschule fur Philosophie Munchen

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Summary

Chapter 8 makes a preliminary assessment of the likely effectiveness of the proposed UN special envoy for future generations by examining this proposal through the lens of three frameworks. These frameworks are, firstly, the rationale or normative basis for such a proposal measured against the principles of intergenerational justice, solidarity and vulnerability set out in Chapter 3 of the book. Next, the special envoy proposal is evaluated in terms of its legitimacy and effectiveness using the criteria elaborated in Chapter 5 (inclusive representation, democratic control in the form of accountability and transparency, deliberation, source-based/input legitimacy in terms of expertise, legal legitimacy, tradition and discourse, substantial/output legitimacy in terms of effectiveness and equity). The possible functions of a special envoy are examined and recommendations are made as to what mandate the special envoy should have, applying the matrix of proxy functions elaborated earlier in this book, which involves breaking proxy representation down into its functions (representative, compliance, reform and norm entrepreneurial). Finally, an overarching framework is proposed for measuring the potential effectiveness of the special envoy which incorporates both frameworks – proxy representation functions and democratic legitimacy.

Keywords

UN special envoy for future generations Envoy for future generations democratic legitimacy legitimacy effectiveness proxy functions representation of future generations intergenerational justice institutions for future generations climate change

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Type: Chapter
Information: Representing Future Generations
Climate Change and the Global Legal Order
, pp. 200 - 219

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009655859.012 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2025

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