Global Env Law & Policy Flashcards
Why might there be a need for international trade agreements? (2)
international nature of pollution
level playing field for international trade
protect global commons
sustainable development
What is the UNEP?
United Nations Environment Programme
What is the UNEP’s function?
The main UN body,
Deals with environmental matters
Monitors environmental changes & issues
Promotes wise management of the environment
What are the UNEP’s 7 thematic areas?
climate change disasters and conflict ecosystem management environmental governance chemicals and waste resource efficiency environmental review
Describe the Torrey Canyon case study
Oil spill in south west england in 1967, 120 miles of cornish coast line was contaminated with oil slick, 15,000 sea birds died, napalm was used to burn off the oil, exacerbating the environmental cost
Why was the UN environmental assembly created? and what for? (2012)
A result of Rio +20, to further unite enviro international law
What is the international law commission?
Works to draft treaties, develop customary international law/general principles that form reports and conventions
What is the UNFCCC? + description
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Came from earth summit 1992
Greatest, longest term impact
First international agreement accepting there was a need for action
Framework only; no targets due to economic concerns, and concern over role of developing countries
What is international soft law?
Broad agreements, not binding
e.g. 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity
What are the penalties for non compliance with international law?
Diplomacy preferred route
Very problematic to address
Both states must adhere to the verdict of the international court of justice
What was the landmark case in the International Court of Justice?
New Zealand vs Japan
Whaling in the Antarctic 2010-2014
Japan had breached parts of the 1946 International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, in that they could only be caught and killed for scientific purposes
Summarise the Brundtland Report.
'our common future' 1987 limited proposed solutions changed course of thinking on SD No mechanisms for improvment est. link between environment and development
What were the 5 outcomes of the Rio Earth Summit 1992?
Rio declaration convention on biological diversity agenda 21 UN framework convention on climate change declaration on forest principles
What is the Rio Declaration?
Adoption of 27 principles for action on environment Official recognition of: Polluter pays principle Precautionary principle SD
What is principle 2 of the Rio Declaration?
The charter of the united nations says that nation states have the sovereign right to exploit their own resources, however principle 2 states that they must not exploit them in a responsible way, and ensure it does not cause damage to areas outside their jurisdiction
What were the Rio Earth Summit outcomes?
Global acceptance of concept of SD
Rio +20
‘Framework’ to deal with climate change
Johannesburg 2002
Why were there issues with the Kyoto Protocol?
Not all countries had limits, split two ways that developed nations were allowed to use fossil fuels to develop and developing nations are now not allowed
The target was only 5% reduction of 1990 levels
Only entered into force 2005
What year were the millennium development goals set for, and how many were there?
2015
9
What was a big outcome of Rio+20 in 2012?
SDGs
What was the Doha Amendment?
Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol as it was ending
Adjusted commitments for annex 1 countries
New target of 18% reduction from 1990 levels by 2020
Post 2008 crash was hard to get political shift through to a greener economy
What was the penalty for non-compliance with the Doha Amendment?
Did not get enough signatories do comply therefore could not go into force
Breaching the Kyoto Protocol up to 2012, then would be taken to enforcement branch of the UNFCCC for a ‘stern talking to’ no actual action
Financial penalties rarely levied
Why might emission data be problematic?
We operate on a production based model rather than a consumption one
What was the central aim of the Paris Agreement?
To keep global temperature rise well below 2 degrees C and ideally below 1.5 degrees
What are some issues with the Paris Agreement
Scientifically uncertain ground, some of the computer models never predicted the levels of change which have occurred between 2015 and 2020, in some cases has been found to be much worse
How to equate temperature to emissions
Focused on domestic, production based emissions
How many parties went to the Paris Convention and how many of those ratified?
197 went
181 ratified
