Abstract
The traditional state- centric nature of environmental governance across the globe usually does not allow non- governmental organizations the institutional latitude to realize their fundamental objectives and full potentials in pursuits of sustainable development. Notwithstanding, the rapid acceleration of globalization has moderately weakened the traditional governance processes and unnecessary procedures, while granting the non- governmental organizations both direct and indirect access to the global stage as key drivers and very essential partners in the sustainable development agenda of the United Nations. This paper undertakes a concise review of the role of NGOs towards sustainable development and environmental governance. It examines the influence of the European Community’s Aarhus Convention in pursuit of sustainable development, and also analyses the successes and challenges of NGOs in environmental governance, its contribution in the United Nations policy development and the weakness of NGOs participation in environmental governance and justice advocacy.