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Environment and Climate - Coggle Diagram
Environment and Climate
global climate/environmental governance
distinct because
wide range of issues (species protection - carbon emissions)
Non-cooperation can actively undermine cooperation (in contrast to trade)
importance of science/academia ("epistemic communities")
tragedy of the commons
Garrett Hardin 1986: “Each man is locked into a system that compels him to increase his herd without limit – in a world that is limited. Ruin is the destination toward which all men rush, each pursuing his own best interest in a society that believes in the freedom of the commons.”
Elinor Ostrom: sustainable development and the tragedy of the commons
"we need institutions to deal with complexity"
theoretical perspectives
Neo-Institutionalism
interdependence: environmental problems as cross-border phenomenon with effects even on powerful states
cooperation helps to maximize gains; reduce costs
Liberalism
domestic pressure through civil society
(Neo-)Realism
role of hegemon
likelihood for cooperation increases with climate change being conceived as a security threat
Constructivism
environmental activists as norm entrepreneurs
autonomous effects of institutions
norms: ecological intergity; identity of a "good state"
global environmental governance
conferences
2002 Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development
2012 Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development)
1992 Rio Conference on Environment and Development (sustainability; United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); Convention on Biological Diversity)
2015 Agenda 2030 (Sustainable Development Goals)
1972 Stockholm conference on Human Environment: creation of UNEP
characteristics
“...the sum of the informal and formal ideas, values, norms, procedures, and institutions that help all actors – states, NGOs, civil society, and TNCs – identify, understand, and address trans-boundary problems”
Increasing range of participating non-state actors
Increasing participation (1992: 20,000 - 2012: 50,000)
high degree of legitimacy through inclusion civil society actors
UNEP
subsidiary body to the GA
no own membership
no own compulsory member dues
budget
3-4% covered by GA, rest through voluntary contributions ($200 million annually)
Largest contributors
Netherlands (10 mil)
Germany (10 mil)
UK (6 mil)
US (6 mil)
Result of the Stockholm Conference 1972, convened by UNGA
tasks
support multilateral environmental agreements
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
The Vienna Convention of the Protection of the Ozone Layer
facilitate negotiations and development of international environmental law
support national implementation
scientific advise
limitations
structure (subsidiary program, not specialized agency)
lack of enforcement power
size/budget
logistics/location
other IOs and the environment
Food and Agriculture Organization
sustainability
food security
European Union
harmonized environmental law
European Environment Agency
United Nations Development Program
development
North American Free Trade Agreement
linking environment and trade
World Bank
funding
lending
Ozone regime
the environmental regime
Classical definition of international regimes:
‘implicit or explicit principles, norms, rules and decision-making procedures around which actors’ expectations converge in a given area of international relations.’ (Krasner 1983: 2)
“The regime for managing the environment, either globally or at a national level, which includes environmental regulations and conventions, and the institutions through which they are managed.”
the Montreal Protocol
issue
use of CFC
scientific data confirming ozone depletion 1975
impact on health and genes
approach
1977 Washington Conference: World Plan of Action for the Ozone layer
UNEP Governing Council working party to design a draft
1985 Vienna Convention: cooperation on research and data acquisition (22 states)
Montreal Conference: Montreal protocol (universal ratification 2009)
amendments
1990 London amendment
phasing out developed countries 2000
phasing out developing countries 2010
1992 Copenhagen amendment
phase-out 1996 developed countries
reason success
actors: strong coalition led by powerful states
epistemic communities with high legitimacy
domestic pressure: American public
Hegemonic leadership: US threatened to ban EU products -> EU changed position from resistance to agreement
Concessions to developing countries -> acceptance
technical solution: invention of chemical replacements CFCs
compliance monitoring: annual reports by states to UNEP secretariat (monitoring and domestic by NGOs and rising green parties)
Climate governance: failure?
dilemma: ecological vs. short-term economic interests
problem
Teh average temperature has increased by 0,8 degrees Celsius since 1880 due to greenhouse gas emissions
2/3 of the warming has occurred since 1975 -> acceleration
Why should we care?
extreme weathers
deteriorating food, water and living conditions
rising sea levels
steps taken
Kyoto protocol
192 parties (191 MS + EU)
Target: reduce greenhouse gas emissions until 2012
1997 Kyoto Protocol entered into force in 2005 (without US, never ratified, and Canada who withdrew in 2005)
Establishment Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
Paris agreement
agreements
Nationally determined contributions
commitment to restrict increase of temperature to well below 2 degrees (1.5 in the long run)
Financial assistance to developing countries to reduce emissions and build resilience
capacity-builidng framework
important achievements
Core obligations but flexible approach
long-term perspective and pledges
review every 5 years: monitoring implementation
new model of climate action: bottom up, facilitative regime
legally binding (in contrast to Copenhagen)
Global application (97% of UNFCC parties have handed in intended NDCs)
Anchored and institutionalized commitments from sub- / non-state actors (cities, companies, etc.)
initial steps
1990 Washington Conference (convened by UNEP): EU/AOSIS - US/OPEC divide
1990 International Negotiating Committee set up by UN GA -> preparation of a framework convention
1988 Toronto Conference on the Changing Atmosphere: demand for an international convention, foundation of the IPCC by UNEP and WMO
1992 Framework Convention on Climate Change, signed by 150 states at the Rio Conference ('Earth Summit'): commitment to return to 1990 levels of emissions
role IOs global climate governance
Monitoring: state report are scrutinized by an independent Compliance Committee composed of 20 experts nominated by Conference of Parties
Information on research and current data
assist implementation
financing
adminstering and oversseing flexible mechanisms