UN— Environmental IGOs Flashcards
When was the Montreal protocol created and by who?
1987 by the UN
What was the purpose of the Montreal protocol? Was it successful?
To phase out and eventually end CFC, HCFC and halon usage to avoid ozone layer damage (reduce harmful UV rays)
Seen as success - all 142 countries had 100% phase out and use of HFCs instead
Why could the Montreal protocol be seen as a mixed success?
HCFs used instead however these are powerful GHGs (CO2 x1000)
Some nations continue illegal production
What is the purpose of UNCLOS?
Provides legal framework for worlds oceans
Created EEZs - counties own 200 miles off of continental shelf
Set regulations on deep sea mining
Ban damaging shipping containers- oil spill prevention
Establishes guidelines for marine conservation and helps to decide fishing rights
What are some ways UNCLOS can be considered inneffective?
Enforcement ability is limited therefore limiting effects
All UNCLOS members must abide by International Whaling Commission rules- ban on all whaling however Japan + Norway continue whaling for scientific reasons
UNCLOS cannot intervene in Russias use if crimeas waters for gas rigs (Ukraine claims Crimean waters)
What are the Helsinki rules (now the Berlin rules)?
Framework for the equitable and reasonable use of transboundary freshwater resources
Aim to keep high water quality, e.g. through regular monitoring —-SDG 6 clean water and sanitation
What was the millennium ecosystem assessment?
Study carried out from 2001-2005 including 1360 experts illustrating biodiversity loss ( extinction rates 100-1000 times larger than is natural)
The importance of ecosystem services
Encouraged urgent action- study was used to advice governments and nations
What we’re the issues with the millennium ecosystem assessment?
Not legally binding, only advisory
Inneffective as biodiversity loss worsened
MEA reports technical and dense— difficult for non-experts to understand
What are the problems with the Helsinki rules?
Not legally binding, no mechanism to enforce these rules
More powerful country will normally demand more water E.G. ethiopias GRD dam resulted in conflict with Egypt
Does not provide policy on underground water aquifers
What is the Antarctic treaty system (UN)?
1961 agreement meaning Antarctica can only be used for peaceful, scientific research and environmental protection
Prohibits military activity
Encourages scientific collaboration
Global unity — more than 50 members including USA, China and Russia
What are the problems with the ATS?
Mining ban is under review in 2048, nations may push to allow resource extraction
Some nations (China +Russia) investing heavily in research stations— suspected positioning for resource extraction
Tourism + climate change threaten Antarctica, some argue stricter regulations should be imposed
What is the Paris agreement (UN)?
Treaty signed by all 193 members aimed to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees above pre industrial levels with nations setting their own targets
What we’re some successes of the Paris agreement?
More inclusive than Kyoto protocol — developed + developing nations
COP29 — developed countries giving developing nations $300 bln for mitigation strategies
What are some disadvantages of the Paris agreement?
Members can withdraw, e.g. Donald trump withdrew USA in jan 2025
Members choose own targets low ambition- China reach peak emissions by 2030
Projects suggest current pledges would still lead to 2.4-2.7 degree temp rise by 2100
Focussed on long term goals however scientists claim immediate action is now needed to prevent irreversible damage
What is CITES (not UN but works with UN)?
A ban on trading of 35000 species by 183 countries
2/3rds of nations agree before proposal taken forward
Decreased trade of ivory + halted decline of African elephant until 2005 (increased since then)
Large geographical scale of membership
Wide range of species protected by type and geographical location
What are some disadvantages of CITES?
Ecosystems not exclusively protected therefore deforestation not reduced
Nations put into place own monitoring therefore success varies
Species must be under threat to be put on list, already too late for some species
Economic interests ( shark / bluefin tuna catching) may get in the way
