Models of National Sovereignty Adaptation to Challenges of Transnational Environmental Governance

Abstract

The article examines the transformation of national sovereignty under transnational environmental governance in the globalization context. The study aims to systematize contemporary models of sovereignty adaptation to environmental challenges and substantiate an optimal model for Ukraine. The methodology involves comparative analysis of three main models. The first represents collective sovereignty through “Earth System Governance” and “trusteeship governance”, where states voluntarily pool sovereign powers for common environmental goals. The second embodies adaptive sovereignty through “green sovereignty”, involving internal transformation of sovereignty understanding under environmental imperatives while maintaining territorial control. The third implements network governance through horizontal coordination between diverse actors, including states, regions, cities, NGOs, and businesses. Results demonstrate that Ukraine implements a hybrid model combining elements from all three approaches. EU program participation reflects collective sovereignty principles, legislative adaptation to European standards demonstrates an adaptive approach, and cross-border cooperation through Euroregions embodies a network governance model. The article analyzes institutional frameworks, including participation in eleven Euroregions, implementation of EU-Ukraine Association Agreement environmental provisions, and coordination through international organizations. Special attention addresses adaptation mechanisms under Russian aggression conditions, including Copernicus remote monitoring systems and UNEP/OSCE coordination mechanisms. The research concludes that successful adaptation requires effective coordination between different governance levels and flexible responses to emerging challenges while maintaining balance between national autonomy and international commitments in the European integration context.