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Unlock your guides12.2 International Environmental Agreements
5 min read•august 9, 2024
International environmental agreements tackle global challenges like climate change, pollution, and . These accords bring nations together to set goals, share responsibilities, and monitor progress. They're crucial for addressing issues that cross borders and affect everyone.
From the on climate to the on , these pacts have achieved real results. They show how countries can work together to protect our shared environment, even if implementation isn't always perfect.
Climate Change Agreements
Key International Climate Accords
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- Paris Agreement adopted in 2015 aims to limit global temperature increase to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels
- Requires countries to submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) outlining emissions reduction targets
- Includes mechanisms for financial assistance to developing countries
- Emphasizes transparency and regular progress reviews
- Unlike Kyoto Protocol, applies to both developed and developing nations
- Kyoto Protocol enacted in 1997 set binding emission reduction targets for developed countries
- Established flexible mechanisms like emissions trading and Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
- First commitment period (2008-2012) aimed for 5% reduction below 1990 levels
- Second commitment period (2013-2020) targeted 18% reduction below 1990 levels
- Faced challenges with U.S. non-participation and Canada's withdrawal
- adopted in 1992 serves as foundation for global climate efforts
- Acknowledges human-induced climate change and need for international cooperation
- Establishes objective to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations
- Divides countries into Annex I (industrialized) and non-Annex I (developing) with differing responsibilities
- Provides framework for subsequent agreements like Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement
Implementation and Monitoring Mechanisms
- serves as supreme decision-making body of UNFCCC
- Meets annually to assess progress and negotiate new commitments
- COP21 in Paris (2015) resulted in landmark Paris Agreement
- Recent COPs focus on implementing Paris Agreement and increasing ambition
- provides scientific basis for climate policy
- Publishes comprehensive assessment reports every 5-7 years
- Special reports address specific topics (oceans, land use, 1.5°C warming)
- Informs policymakers and negotiators at UNFCCC meetings
- established to support developing countries in climate mitigation and adaptation
- Aims to mobilize $100 billion annually by 2020 from public and private sources
- Funds projects in areas like renewable energy, sustainable transportation, and climate-resilient agriculture
Pollution and Waste Agreements
Ozone Protection and Hazardous Substances
- Montreal Protocol ratified in 1987 phases out production of ozone-depleting substances
- Targets chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and other harmful chemicals
- Achieved 98% reduction in ozone-depleting substances
- (2016) extends protocol to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
- Considered one of the most successful international environmental agreements
- adopted in 2001 addresses
- Aims to eliminate or restrict production and use of POPs (DDT, PCBs, dioxins)
- Requires parties to develop national implementation plans
- Includes provisions for adding new chemicals to the list of regulated substances
- Promotes use of best available techniques and environmental practices
- enacted in 1992 regulates transboundary movements of hazardous wastes
- Establishes prior informed consent procedure for waste shipments
- Promotes environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes
- Ban Amendment prohibits export of hazardous wastes from developed to developing countries
- Addresses growing issue of electronic waste (e-waste) through technical guidelines
Transboundary Pollution Control
- adopted in 1979 addresses regional air pollution in Europe and North America
- Covers various pollutants including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter
- Includes protocols setting specific emission reduction targets
- Established cooperative monitoring program (EMEP) for air pollutants
- provides framework for marine pollution control
- Obligates states to prevent, reduce, and control marine pollution from various sources
- Establishes rights and responsibilities for use of the world's oceans
- Addresses issues like dumping, vessel-source pollution, and land-based sources
- regulates pollution from maritime activities
- Covers oil pollution, noxious liquid substances, harmful packaged materials, sewage, garbage, and air pollution
- Designates special areas with stricter controls on operational discharges
- Recent amendments address issues like ballast water management and ship recycling
Biodiversity and Habitat Agreements
Global Biodiversity Conservation Efforts
- adopted in 1992 promotes conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity
- Establishes three main goals: conservation, sustainable use, and fair sharing of genetic resources benefits
- addresses biosafety issues related to genetically modified organisms
- regulates access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing
- set 20 ambitious goals for 2011-2020 period
- signed in 1971 focuses on conservation and wise use of wetlands
- Designates Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar sites)
- Promotes national action and international cooperation for wetland conservation
- Addresses issues like water allocation, management planning, and restoration
- Recognizes cultural values and traditional management practices of wetlands
- regulates wildlife trade since 1975
- Categorizes species into three appendices based on level of protection needed
- Requires permits for international trade in listed species
- Addresses both plant and animal species threatened by commercial trade
- Conducts regular reviews of species status and trade impacts
Managing Global Commons and Shared Resources
- protects Antarctica's unique environment
- Antarctic Treaty (1959) designates continent for peaceful scientific research
- Protocol on Environmental Protection (Madrid Protocol) prohibits mineral resource activities
- Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) manages Southern Ocean fisheries
- addresses land degradation in drylands
- Promotes sustainable land management practices
- Emphasizes participation of local communities in decision-making
- Links environmental protection with poverty reduction and
- ensures fair access to crop genetic resources
- Establishes multilateral system for access and benefit-sharing
- Recognizes farmers' rights and traditional knowledge
- Supports conservation of crop diversity in gene banks and on-farm
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