International Laws.pdf

CONVENTIONS United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Keywords: climate change, greenhouse gases, global warming, international cooperation Aims to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference...

CONVENTIONS United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Keywords: climate change, greenhouse gases, global warming, international cooperation Aims to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system Ex: The Paris Agreement (2015) was signed under the UNFCCC to limit global temperature rise to below 2°C. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Aims to ensure that international trade of more than 35,000 species of animals and plants - whether as live specimens, fur coats, or dried herbs - does not threaten their survival Ex: The ban on ivory trade to protect elephants from poaching RAMSAR Convention (The Convention on Wetlands) Provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources Ex: the protection of the Pantanal wetlands in South America, one of the world’s largest tropical wetland areas The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants Aims to protect human health and the environment from chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissue of humans and wildlife, and have harmful impacts on human health or on the environment Ex: Banning of DDT in many countries to reduce its harmful impact on the environment and health Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution Established eight protocols that set strict reduction targets for releases of pollution for the protection of human and environmental health. Each of these protocols targets pollutants such as sulfur, nitrogen oxide, persistent organic pollutants, volatile organic compounds, ammonia, and toxic heavy metals Ex: The Acid Rain Protocol in Europe, which reduced sulfur emissions from power plants  Convention on Biological Diversity Dedicated to promoting sustainable development by conserving biological diversity and sharing fairly and equitably the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources Related to Protocol 2 below Ex: National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) implemented by countries to conserve species Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents Aims at protecting human beings and the environment against industrial accidents by preventing such accidents, reducing their frequency and severity, and mitigating their effects Ex: The Sandoz chemical spill (1986) in Switzerland, which severely polluted the Rhine River United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Endeavors to forge a global partnership to reverse and prevent desertification/land degradation and to mitigate the effects of drought in affected areas in order to support poverty reduction and environmental sustainability Ex: Reforestation programs in the Sahel region to restore degraded lands International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil Prevent ocean pollution by oil discharged from ships in the territorial waters of a number of countries Ex: The Exxon Valdez oil spill (1989) in Alaska, leading to international regulations on oil spill prevention The Minamata Convention on Mercury Aims to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury Ex: The Minamata disease in Japan, caused by mercury poisoning from industrial wastewater PROTOCOLS Kyoto Protocol Places a heavier burden on developed nations under the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” since it recognizes that developed countries are principally responsible for the current high levels of GHG emissions in the atmosphere  Ex: The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) created to meet Kyoto targets through carbon dating The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity An international agreement which aims to ensure the safe handling, transport, and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health Ex: Regulation of genetically modified crops to prevent unintended environmental harm The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer Endeavors to protect the stratospheric ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of ozone-depeleting substances (ODS) such as chlorofluorocarbons, halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform. It also aims to eliminate by-product emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) which are potent greenhouse gases with global warming potential thousands of times that of carbon dioxide Ex: The successful global phase-out of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) under the Montreal Protocol, which helped repair the ozone layer