While the ‘Global Pact for the Environment’ endorsed by France did not provide a compelling link between its approach and a particular environmental problem, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 72/277 sets out a linear methodological approach by asking a working group to consider whether there are possible ‘gaps’ in existing environmental law and policy and, if so, to discuss possible options for addressing them. This article discusses the concept of a ‘gap’, identifies several types of gaps that could be included in the UNGA work and points to possible ways in which such gaps may be filled. It illustrates how States could analyse gaps using four possible cases, including the domestic implementation of international commitments, climate change, substantive environmental rights and ocean plastics. Rather than jumping to pursue an overarching agreement including legally binding principles, the article argues that Resolution 72/277 offers States the opportunity to step back and methodically consider the most important missing pieces in international environmental law and policy, and the best manner and forum to address them.

中文翻译：

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联合国大会关于“全球环境公约”的决议：将这匹马放在马车前的机会

尽管法国批准的《全球环境公约》并未在其方法与特定环境问题之间建立令人信服的联系，但联合国大会（UNGA）第72/277号决议通过要求工作组提出线性方法论方法，考虑现有环境法律和政策中是否存在“缺口”，如果存在，则讨论解决这些缺口的可能方案。本文讨论了“差距”的概念，确定了可以在联大工作中包括的几种类型的差距，并指出了填补这种差距的可能方式。它说明了各国如何使用四种可能的情况来分析差距，包括在国内执行国际承诺，气候变化，实质性环境权利和海洋塑料。