Environmental Policy and Global Responses

A global agreement aimed at protecting forests, but ultimately failed due to disagreements between developed and developing countries.

The condition of forests varies greatly across the world, with some regions experiencing significant deforestation while others actively reforest.

Southern countries, often large forest owners, were concerned that international agreements on forests could infringe on their national sovereignty.

The EU has implemented a successful reforestation program, effectively increasing forested areas.

Tropical forests in sub-Saharan Africa face multiple threats, including population growth, fuel use, illegal logging, and mining activities.

The lack of a unified global energy regime is due to major producers of energy (like China, the US, Russia, etc.) preferring to maintain control over their own resources and policies.

Despite the importance of energy in global affairs, international energy policy often focuses on trade dynamics between oil-producing and consuming countries.

The global energy landscape is complex, involving diverse actors, interests, and sources of energy, making it difficult to establish unified policies.

Forests are crucial for the environment and provide resources. They act as natural habitats, store carbon, produce oxygen, regulate water, and create rain, while also offering timber and fuelwood.

The amount of forest cover on Earth has significantly decreased, from around 45% before industrialization to just over 30% today.

Misuse and mismanagement of forests have contributed to their decline, leading to consequences like habitat loss and carbon emissions.

A global agreement on forests was attempted during the 1992 Rio Earth Summit but failed due to disagreement among nations.

The Northern countries wanted forests to be considered a global resource under a convention, but the US disagreed due to its timber industry.

A global convention on forests was proposed to protect them, but it did not succeed, showcasing the challenges in achieving international consensus.

International treaties on forests have had limited success because of disagreements among countries, particularly on their role and management.

The lack of consensus on the role and management of forests, along with opposing interests, hindered the development of a comprehensive global governance regime.

Materials or commodities found naturally on Earth that have value to humans, such as land, water, plants, animals, soil, minerals, fossil fuels, forests, fisheries, and the open ocean.

The process where certain gases in the atmosphere trap solar radiation, keeping the Earth warm enough for life.

The increase in the greenhouse effect caused by human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and intensive farming.

The major driver of climate change, caused by the enhanced greenhouse effect, leading to rising temperatures, changing weather patterns, extreme weather events, melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and altered agricultural practices.

Natural resources that are geographically restricted, with different parts of the world having varying amounts. Often managed by individual countries.

Natural resources that are found in various parts of the world and require international cooperation for effective management, such as forests and fisheries.

The challenge of managing shared resources effectively, especially when countries have conflicting interests or resist international cooperation.

The process of managing and conserving natural resources to ensure their sustainability and availability for future generations.

Headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this organization has a Secretary General, a 30-member Executive Board with 22 permanent members and eight rotating members, and a permanent secretariat. It acts as a central hub for international environmental cooperation.

These organizations focus on environmental or resource management issues and often arise when states are slow to act.

These organizations are formed within countries to address environmental concerns. Examples include The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (UK) and the Sierra Club (US).

These organizations operate across national boundaries and are involved in international environmental issues. Examples include the International Committee for Bird Protection and the World Wildlife Fund.

The number of environmental INGOs is difficult to pinpoint due to a lack of comprehensive data and a clear definition of what constitutes an INGO.

INGOs can be formed within one country but extend their activities to others, or coordinate efforts between national and local NGOs. They may also have global interests despite being located in one country.

These organizations act as conduits for communication and collaboration between NGOs and IGOs (Intergovernmental Organizations).

The Environment Liaison Centre International (ELCI) is an NGO network based in Nairobi that connects the UNEP Environment Assembly with its NGO members.

International non-governmental organizations (INGOs) play a crucial role in shaping global environmental policy, despite not holding formal decision-making power.

INGOs have demonstrated significant effectiveness in acting as information brokers, gathering and disseminating research on environmental issues, influencing discussions leading to international environmental treaties.

INGOs often act as whistle-blowers, exposing environmental issues and holding stakeholders accountable, influencing public, media, and policy agendas.

INGOs, while not directly empowered to make decisions on international treaties, can significantly impact negotiations by presenting alternative perspectives and influencing both the process and outcomes.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a financial mechanism working to address global environmental issues, including ten NGO seats on its 32-member council.

NGOs play a vital role in shaping international environmental agendas, influencing policy discussions and holding governments accountable.

NGOs, like Birdlife International, WWF, Friends of the Earth, and Greenpeace, are prominent players in global environmental conservation, each with a specific focus on different aspects of the environment.

Environmental INGOs are dedicated to protecting and preserving the environment, working towards addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and other global environmental challenges.

Multinational corporations (MNEs) are companies that operate in multiple countries. These companies can significantly influence international treaties and environmental policy. They often have more resources and influence than national governments.

MNEs can influence environmental policy by advocating for certain policies, investing in sustainable practices, and shaping consumer demand for environmentally friendly products.

MNEs are often accused of prioritizing profits over environmental concerns, and critics argue that they exploit weaker environmental regulations in developing nations.

Although facing criticism, some MNEs have begun to self-regulate and adopt sustainable practices. This often involves exceeding national regulations or developing policies that promote social responsibility.

The Business Council for Sustainable Development is an example of MNEs taking on a role in environmental responsibility. This organization promotes CSR (corporate social responsibility) by encouraging companies to consider social and environmental impacts in their operations.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a concept that advocates for businesses to prioritize ethical, social, and environmental responsibilities along with profits.

MNEs can leverage their resources to develop new technologies that have an impact on environmental policy, such as the development of electric vehicle batteries.

The power of MNEs and their impact on environmental policy is often concentrated in developed nations, leaving emerging economies at a relative disadvantage.