International Environmental Agreements PDF

1. PARIS AGREEMENT (2015) – It was outcome of the 4. RAMSAR CONVENTION 1971 – in Ramsar, negotiations launched in 2011 at the 17th Conference of Iran. Aimed at the conservation and sustainable use the parties in Durban to develop a legal instrument of wetlands. a...

1. PARIS AGREEMENT (2015) – It was outcome of the 4. RAMSAR CONVENTION 1971 – in Ramsar, negotiations launched in 2011 at the 17th Conference of Iran. Aimed at the conservation and sustainable use the parties in Durban to develop a legal instrument of wetlands. applicable to all parties to cut greenhouse gasses (GHG) emissions and to be implemented from 2020. 5. CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) – is 2. KYOTO PROTOCOL – obliges industrialized countries an international agreement established in 1973 to and countries of the former Soviet bloc to cut their regulate and monitor the international trade of emissions of greenhouse gases by an average of about wildlife species. five percent (5%) for the period 2008-2012 compared with 1990 levels. Fifty-five countries ratified the protocol 6. MARPOL CONVENTION – International Convention except some highly industrialized countries. for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships one of the most important international treaties aimed at 3. THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL – phases down the preventing pollution of the marine environment by consumption and production of the different ODS ships due to operational or accidental causes. (OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES) in a step-wise manner, with different timetables for developed and developing countries (referred to as “Article 5 CASE STUDY: Philippine Plant Becomes the 1st countries”). Overseas Production Site to Operate on 100% 4. CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (CBD) – Renewable Energy. Known informally as the biodiversity convention is an international legally binding treaty with three main goals: CHAPTER 5: INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES 1. conservation of biodiversity; International Environmental Issues – refers to global challenges that affect the environment across national 2. sustainable use of biodiversity; borders. 3. fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from Examples: the use of genetic resources. 1. CLIMATE CHANGE – long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. 1. UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON 2. GLOBAL WARMING – unusually rapid increase CLIMATE CHANGE (U.N.F.C.C.C) – stabilizes in Earth's average surface temperature. greenhouse gases concentration. Acknowledging that change in the Earth's climate and its adverse 3. POLLUTION – anything that makes the earth effects are a common concern of humankind, dirty and unhealthy. concerned that human activities have been 4. DEFORESTATION – removal and destruction of a substantially increasing the atmospheric forest or stand of trees from land. concentrations of greenhouse gases. 5. OVERPOPULATION – the human population 2. BASEL CONVENTION (1989) – objective to control rises to an extent exceeding the carrying the transboundary movements of hazardous waste capacity of the ecological setting. and their disposal. Adopted on MARCH 22 1989 by the conference of plenipotentiaries in Basel EUROPEAN UNION (EU) – A political and economic Switzerland. union comprising 27 European countries that have come together to foster economic cooperation, political 3. STOCKHOLM CONVENTION – objective to eliminate integration, and peace in Europe. or restrict the production and use persistent organic pollutions (POPS). Created by the Maastricht Treaty, which entered into force on November 1, 1993. The  treaty was designed to enhance European 3. RECTIFICATION AT SOURCE PRINCIPLE – political and economic integration. Initiatives that aim to reduce pollution by addressing and correcting environmental issues and its consequences and industrial processes directly. 4. PREVENTION OVER MITIGATION – Rather than managing pollution after it occurs, this principle History of the European Union (EU) emphasizes preventing it altogether. 1. Post World War II Context – This period marks 5. POLLUTER PAYS PRINCIPLE (PPP) – the beginning of discussions on European Compensating the victims of pollution and the integration, driven by the need to address cost of restoring the environmental environmental challenges caused by degradation. industrialization and war damage. EU ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME – structured plan 2. Treaties of Rome (1957) – These treaties or initiative designed to address specific environmental established the European Economic challenges and promote sustainability within the EU. Community (EEC) and included provisions for environmental protection, laying the These programs set out goals, strategies, and actions to groundwork for future environmental policies. protect the environment, combat climate change, and ensure sustainable development. 3. Single European Act (1987) – A significant reform that created a single market and 3 EU ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME introduced a legal basis for environmental 1. LIFE PROGRAMME – Launched in 1992, the LIFE policy, emphasizing sustainable development. Programme is a funding instrument for the 4. Maastricht Treaty (1993) This treaty established environment and climate action. It supports the EU, expanded its competencies to include projects that contribute to the implementation environmental protection, and integrated of EU environmental and climate policy, sustainable development into its objectives. focusing on areas like biodiversity, circular economy, and climate change mitigation. 5. Treaty of Lisbon (2007) – Further enhanced the EU's commitment to environmental 2. 8TH ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PROGRAMME – sustainability, establishing a robust legal guides EU environmental policy until 2030. It framework for environmental protection and aims to achieve a climate-neutral, resource- emphasizing climate change and a low-carbon efficient economy and include objectives such economy. as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing resilience to climate change, and EU’s Environmental Principles – These are fundamental promoting a circular economy. guidelines that shape the EU's approach to environmental policy and regulation. 3. EUROPEAN GREEN DEAL – aims to make the EU's economy sustainable by turning climate 1. PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE – promotes taking and environmental challenges into of precautionary actions in situations where opportunities. It includes initiatives across there is uncertainty in the possibility of various sectors to achieve climate neutrality by environmental harm occurring, rather than 2050. waiting until the harm actually occurs. Environmental Policy and Legislation – the actions, 2. PREVENTION PRINCIPLE – to eliminate or rules, and regulations established by governments, reduce risks before they cause environmental organizations, or institutions to protect the environment harm, based on what is already known. and promote sustainability. IMPORTANCE:  1. Protecting Natural Resources – help manage 3. Air Quality Directive – aims to improve air and protect natural resources like air, water, quality across the EU, ensuring a healthier forests, and wildlife. environment for both people and nature. Its primary goal is to protect human health and the 2. Mitigating Environmental Risks – helps to environment from the harmful effects of air mitigate risks such as air and water pollution, pollution. toxic waste, and habitat destruction, ensuring that the environment remains safe and healthy CASE STUDY: “France: Agreement on the Treatment of for current and future generations. End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs)” 3. Promoting Sustainable Development – supports the concept of sustainable development, which seeks to balance economic growth with environmental protection. 4. Addressing Climate Change – environmental policies are crucial in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting renewable energy sources. 5. Ensuring Public Health and Safety – regulating pollutants, chemicals, and waste, environmental laws protect human health from harmful substances. 6. Encouraging Innovation and Green Economy – policies can drive innovation by encouraging the development of cleaner technologies, sustainable business practices, and a green economy. 7. Legal Accountability and Compliance – ensures that those who cause harm to the environment are responsible for mitigating that harm, creating a fair and just system of environmental governance. European Union’s Notable Legislations: 1. European Climate Law – establishes a legally binding commitment for the EU to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. This means reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by that year. It also sets an interim target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. 2. Habitat and Birds Directive – protecting biodiversity within the EU by safeguarding habitats and species. The Habitat Directive specifically aims to protect rare, threatened, or endemic species (those found only in a particular region).