Land-based marine pollution in the Caribbean Incentives and prospects for an effective regional protocol

Abstract

This article reports some results of a study to enhance the effectiveness of a prospective protocol on land-based marine pollution (LBMP) in the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR), which is under negotiation. We argue that the environmental, economic, and institutional diversity of the region as a whole suggests an incremental approach to international resolution of LBMP problems, one that builds upon successful arrangements among States that have appropriate incentives for solving transboundary or common pollution problems. We report on two approaches to the identification of commonalities and complementarities that can serve as the basis for subregional collaborations and exchanges. First, we consider the relative identities of WCR States as polluters and pollutees within subregional groupings already designated by a joint UNEP-IOC program. The analysis yields several illustrative examples of key match-ups among source, stakeholder and facilitator States within and across subregions. Second, we develop a rating system that reflects the size and direction of a State's economic incentive to control LBMP and its economic and institutional capacity to do so. The results are useful for predicting which States are the most likely to engage in sustained and effective action to control LBMP and the general categories of assistance or special inducements that the other States are likely to need in order to participate successfully.