Distinguish between global governance and international governance with an example.

• A. Global governance involves cross-border rule-making by multiple actors (states, NGOs, private sector); international governance often refers to formal intergovernmental institutions like the UN or WTO.
• B. Global governance is always formal, while international governance is always informal.
• C. Global governance is limited to science; international governance is limited to politics.
• D. Global governance is the same as international governance.

Answer: (A)

Global governance refers to how global issues are managed through a web of actors across borders, not just states. It involves rule-making, standards, and norms created by governments, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, businesses, and civil society—often through networks, voluntary agreements, and cross-border collaboration. International governance, on the other hand, usually centers on formal intergovernmental structures made through treaties and international law, where states negotiate and enforce rules within institutions like the United Nations or the World Trade Organization.

A concrete example helps see the difference. In climate governance, international governance is seen in formal agreements negotiated under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, such as the Paris Agreement, with binding-like commitments and accountability among governments. Global governance adds layers beyond that: cities, companies, and NGOs adopt their own climate actions and standards, such as corporate sustainability targets or city networks aiming to reduce emissions, which operate across borders and influence outcomes even where no single treaty dictates those actions. This illustrates how global governance encompasses cross-border rule-making by multiple actors, while international governance centers on formal intergovernmental institutions.