Environmental Agreements Research Articles

Implementing Decisions on Environmental Conflicts Beyond the Nation State

This article theorises the national implementation of European and international decisions on environmental conflicts, integrating both judgments from courts and so-called managerial decisions from (non-)compliance mechanisms in multilateral environmental agreements. Starting from the observation that the impact of climate change is increasing with backlash from populist governments and political regimes against its mitigation, implementing legal obligations in the absence of specialised environmental courts is crucial to protect the environment from harm. However, systematic insights on the national implementation of judgments and managerial decisions made beyond the nation state are underexplored. Following a political science perspective, this article conceptualises the conditions explaining this phenomenon by making use of existing research from various disciplines including political science and law on policy implementation to enable systematic comparisons. For this purpose, the article outlines a concept structural approach based on two hypothesised explanations: one based on the mechanisms used to solve conflicts, and another relating to the legitimacy of relevant institutions and processes of conflict resolution. These explanatory pathways reflect the existing management and enforcement approaches from the political science literature on implementation and follow a conjunctural logic. The theoretical approach developed in this article enables systematic comparisons across decisions and thus accounts for a variety of separate but equally valid explanations. Future research and empirical analysis will directly feed back into the concept structure for further theoretical development and lead to generalisable insights on the national implementation of court judgments and managerial decisions on environmental conflicts. In this way, the aim is to contribute to both political science and legal literature regarding European and international environmental law, environmental politics, and judicial governance.

Global Citizenship: Towards a Concept for Participatory Environmental Protection

ABSTRACT The global environmental crisis demands urgent attention and comprehensive action. While governments must prioritise environmental protection and climate change mitigation, the continued depletion of natural resources calls for innovative approaches. One such approach is the Environmental Global Citizenship theory, which offers a perspective on participatory environmental governance while emphasising cultural diversity. The article argues that the idea of global environmental citizenship can help address the challenges associated to the global environmental crisis, outlining a vast theoretical framework to this notion, grounded in a thorough literature review and legal examination of global environmental agreements. Environmental Global Citizenship is presented as a critical, yet non-exclusive strategy for global environmental stewardship, simultaneously advocating for a model of global integration that is rooted in cultural diversity. The manuscript underscores that the concept of Environmental Global Citizenship should form one necessary aspect of a more extensive environmental protection global strategy.

The Stackelberg vs. Nash-Cournot Folk-theorem in international environmental agreements

A commonly reported result in the literature on international environmental agreements (IEAs) is that if coalition members act as Stackelberg leaders (Stackelberg scenario) this leads to larger stable coalitions than if signatories act simultaneously with non-signatories (Nash-Cournot scenario). This result has been taken for granted, a kind of Folk-theorem, even though it has been proven at best for specific payoff functions, and very often the conclusion is only based on simulations. We prove the Stackelberg vs. Nash-Cournot Folk-theorem based on a generic payoff function for a public good provision game.

Evaluating the roles of energy innovation, fossil fuel costs and environmental compliance towards energy transition in advanced industrial economies

Given the dire state of climate change, investigating key elements that impact the energy transition process and help monitor progress in greenhouse gas emissions to achieve environmental sustainability is of critical importance. The current study explores the association between energy transition, compliance with environmental agreements, fossil fuels costs, environmental technologies, economic growth, and environmental degradation in G20 economies from 1995 to 2019. Our findings from extensive econometric analysis reveal that economic growth, environmental innovation, renewable energy, and environmental compliance facilitate while fossil fuels and environmental degradation hinder the energy transition process. Our findings conclude that developed countries must focus on alternate energy resources to overcome environmental challenges and subsidize renewable energy and environmental technologies to replace fossil fuels with green energy resources methodologically. Further, policy measures have been discussed in detail in the study.

The Existence of International Agreements on National and Regional Legislation Related to Handling Marine Plastic Waste in Indonesia

Indonesia has ratified international environmental agreements such as the Marine Pollution Convention (MARPOL) 1973/1978, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary. Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (Basel) 1989, United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) 1992, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 1992, Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Convention, 2001 and several other international agreements. The international agreement has also laid down norms related to plastic waste in the ocean, although they are very limited. For Indonesia, after the ratification of the international agreement, follow-up steps are needed from legislative, administrative, and institutional aspects to funding through laws and regulations. On the other hand, the process of negotiating international agreements regarding plastic waste in the sea is still ongoing. Therefore, it will also be seen how Indonesia's role and the relationship between the draft zero draft international plastic waste agreement and existing international agreements. This article aims to find out and examine the existence of existing and future international agreements and how they affect the national and regional levels, especially those related to plastic waste in the sea. Therefore, various ratification processes, the formation of laws and regulations, institutions, administration, funding, and other actions related to the issue of plastic waste in the sea in Indonesia will be studied. In general, this article has shown that in Indonesia, there are already regulations to implement international agreements both ratified and synchronized with the draft Global Plastic Treaty that is being made. The conclusion shows that the Government of Indonesia has a strong commitment to the existence of international agreements related to plastic waste in the sea. The recommendation or suggestion is that existing or ongoing international agreements should be able to provide benefits for the welfare of the Indonesian people.

Induced Innovation and International Environmental Agreements: Evidence from the Ozone Regime

Abstract This paper revisits one of the rare success stories in global environmental cooperation: the Montreal Protocol and the phase-out of ozone-depleting substances. I show that the protocol increased science and innovation on alternatives to ozone-depleting substances and argue that agreements can indeed be useful in solving global public goods problems. This contrasts with game-theoretical predictions that agreements occur only when costs to the players are low and with the often-heard narrative that substitutes were readily available. I reconcile theory and empirics by discussing the role of induced innovation in models of environmental agreements.

Heterogeneous environmental policies and employment: evidence from China.

This paper attempts to investigate how the rapid development of China's environmental policy contributes to the changes in China's labour market. We first categorise the environmental regulations into (i) command-and-control policies, (ii) economic incentive policies, and (iii) voluntary environmental agreements (VEAs). Then, we use the provincial panel data over the 2000-2015 period to estimate the effect of alternative environmental regulations on employment in China. The results show that alternative environmental regulations have different impacts on employment. This difference even exists within the same group of environmental policies. Amongst the command-and-control policies, the three simultaneities policy leads to less employment, while the deadline governance systems increase employment. For economic incentive policies, higher environmental tax leads to lower employment, while more funding for environmental research promotes employment. The results also show that more VEAs reduced labour demand. In addition, the dynamic impact and regional heterogeneity of environmental regulations on employment are confirmed by the empirical estimation. Specifically, the economic incentive policies significantly impact employment in Central and Western China, whereas they have a non-significant impact on employment in Eastern China. This finding confirms that economic development impacts the relationship between environmental regulations and employment.

Second Thoughts? The International Adjudication of Environmental Disputes 30 Years Later

Abstract The role of international adjudication with respect to environmental disputes has been a matter of significant debate, particularly since the late 1980s. Scepticism about the creation of an international environmental court, the lack of use of specialised environmental chambers and the rise of non-compliance procedures largely supported the view that international adjudication had a limited role to play in this context. This conventional view is today being reconsidered. This is due in part to the surge in domestic climate litigation but also, as argued in this brief contribution, to the potential of international adjudication to address the challenges that had once supported arguments against it, namely (1) the ambiguity and indeterminacy of substantive provisions in multilateral environmental treaties; (2) States’ own capacity limitations to discharge their duties under such treaties, and (3) the need for treaty regimes to accommodate changing social, economic, political and, of course, environmental circumstances.

A multi-taxon analysis of European Red Lists reveals major threats to biodiversity.

Biodiversity loss is a major global challenge and minimizing extinction rates is the goal of several multilateral environmental agreements. Policy decisions require comprehensive, spatially explicit information on species' distributions and threats. We present an analysis of the conservation status of 14,669 European terrestrial, freshwater and marine species (ca. 10% of the continental fauna and flora), including all vertebrates and selected groups of invertebrates and plants. Our results reveal that 19% of European species are threatened with extinction, with higher extinction risks for plants (27%) and invertebrates (24%) compared to vertebrates (18%). These numbers exceed recent IPBES (Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) assumptions of extinction risk. Changes in agricultural practices and associated habitat loss, overharvesting, pollution and development are major threats to biodiversity. Maintaining and restoring sustainable land and water use practices is crucial to minimize future biodiversity declines.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework: what it does and does not do, and how to improve it

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) marks one of the most ambitious environmental agreements of the 21st century. Yet despite the ambition, and the considerable change in approach since negotiating its predecessor (the 2025 Vision and Aichi targets), the many pressures, including working through a global pandemic mean that the final agreement, despite several years of delay, is weaker than might have been hoped for. The GBF provides a set of four goals, composed of 23 targets (and a series of supporting annexes) which explore the options for conservation, restoration and sustainable use of biodiversity, and the mobilisation of necessary resources to maintain life on Earth. In this perspective we systematically examine the composition of the GBF, exploring what the targets lack and what weaknesses exist in text. We also detail the link between the targets and the key indicators which can be used to track success toward fulfilling the targets. We offer key recommendations which could help strengthen the application of various targets, and show where the indicators could be improved to provide more detailed information to monitor progress. Furthermore, we discuss the association between targets and their indicators, and detail where indicators may lack the necessary temporal resolution or other elements. Finally, we discuss how various actors might better prepare for the successor to the GBF in 2030 and what has been learnt about the negotiating process, including lessons to help ensure that future agreements can circumnavigate issues which may have weakened the agreement.

Averting Deforestation: Designing the Model of a Public Participation-Based Environmental Agreement of Shifting Functionality of Forest

This research highlights the shifting concepts and mechanisms in business licensing in forest areas from environmental licensing to an environmental agreement following the effectuation of Indonesia’s Job Creation Law. It is important to investigate this change, considering that it may involve environmental damage or deforestation in forest areas, which tends to be pro-businesses. With the normative-juridical method that incorporates statutory, conceptual, and analytical approaches, This research aims to analyze the concept of the integration of an environmental agreement in risk-based business licensing that has changed business licensing into an environmental agreement in forestry. This study also analyzes the concept of an environmental agreement concept regarding the likelihood of deforestation and the shifting functionality of forest areas. The last important point is that it is paramount to set an ideal legal construction in the environmental agreement in risk-based business licensing in forestry businesses by employing a restorative justice approach and public participation. The research results recommend an ideal legal concept in the integration of an environmental agreement into risk-based business licensing by taking into account public participation, as outlined in Environmental Protection and Management Law, implying citizens to have both public and private rights, enabling them to participate. Moreover, the public role can adjust to the need and risk levels developed with varied concepts of the development of public participation by considering theories and practices in other countries.

Endogenous learning in international environmental agreements: the impact of research spillovers and the degree of cooperation

Abstract We consider an endogenous learning-by-doing process where countries can invest in research that reduces the systematic uncertainty about climate change damages. We analyse a coalition model in which countries decide whether to join a treaty and then choose their level of research and abatement. Countries can cooperate on research and abatement or only on one of these items. We consider the entire range of possible research spillovers. Cooperation on all issues and large research spillovers are generally welfare improving, but lead to smaller coalitions, as they encourage free-riding. However, on balance, in equilibrium, we find that cooperation should not be confined to research and should include abatement, and research findings should freely travel.

Socioeconomic changes influence hunter behavior in the northern periphery of Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon

AbstractThe hunter is the key actor in unsustainable hunting of bushmeat in African forests and his behavior is driven by socioeconomic factors among others. However, not much is known about the effectiveness of incentive‐based conservation actions providing socioeconomic benefits to reduce hunting. This study, therefore, examined how changes in the socioeconomic situation of hunters brought about by reciprocal environmental agreements affects their hunting behavior. During a project implemented near the Dja Faunal Reserve (Cameroon), we recorded changes in socioeconomic characteristics of hunters for 15 months spanning 3 years. Bushmeat offtake and hunting effort parameters were also recorded. Comparisons of the evolution of these parameters over the years were made between hunters who signed the agreements and those who did not. We found that signatory hunters were older and had larger households than non‐signatories, and they earned more income from cocoa sales. Although both groups of hunters had similar characteristics regarding hunting behavior at the start of the project, signatory hunters harvested less bushmeat at the end of project. More time was spent in hunting by non‐signatory hunters compared to signatories who hunted less at the end of our monitoring period. Signatory hunters hunted less with firearms than non‐signatories, and they consumed more and sold less of their catches compared to non‐signatories. This study underlines the importance of reciprocal environmental agreements as an incentive‐based conservation scheme that can reduce hunting pressure. These findings show that economic incentives provided to individuals through reciprocal environment agreements can promote livelihood paradigm shifts, alleviating poverty, decreasing dependence on natural resources and benefiting animal conservation.

Degrowth, Air Travel, and Global Environmental Governance: Scaffolding a Multilateral Agreement for a Smaller and More Sustainable Aviation Sector

Abstract In recent years, a growing body of literature on degrowth has compellingly identified limitations involved in decoupling economic growth from its environmental impacts. Despite this, the institutions governing the global environment continue to pursue “green growth” principles. In this article, we showcase how global environmental governance might differ if the degrowth critique were taken more seriously. We use the United Nations–based Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) to illustrate how a multilateral environmental agreement (MEA) might differ if its foundational premises were centered on degrowth as opposed to green growth. To do this, we develop a conceptual scaffold to support the construction of a degrowth-centered MEA on sustainable global aviation. While a degrowth alternative to CORSIA is admittedly unlikely given contemporary capitalist norms in global environmental governance, our proposed scaffold nevertheless adds to the growing body of work envisioning alternative scenarios for a just and sustainable postgrowth future.

Mapping the empirical relationship between environmental performance and social preferences: Evidence from macro data

This paper investigates the relationship between measures of environmental performance and of social preferences, thanks to the availability of a recently published dataset on global pref- erences. Using cross-sectional observations from 76 countries, this study finds evidence from macro data of a positive and statistically significant relationship between measures of proso- cial preferences, such as positive reciprocity, trust, and altruism, and environmental policy indicators in the categories of agriculture, forestry, and climate change after controlling for economic and geospatial factors. At the micro level, the results presented in this paper suggest a broader theory of collective action that is based on a behavioral approach to climate policy to mitigate motivational crowd out in settings of high reciprocity and trust. At the macro level, the results presented in this paper suggest a broader theory of climate clubs that includes pro- social preferences, such as positive reciprocity, trust, and altruism, as key cooperation mech- anisms in International Environmental Agreements.

다자간환경협정상의 역량강화 및 기술이전에 관한 연구

Environmental problems of a global nature, such as climate change, are urgent challenges that pose a threat not only to developing countries but also to developed countries. Therefore, in order to effectively implement Multilateral Environmental Agreements(MEAs), developed countries must take the lead and also support developing countries. Supporting developing countries that are having difficulty implementing the agreement is an essential elements as it determines the success or failure of the treaty.
 In order to effectively implement MEAs, it is necessary to establish a system to support developing countries to fulfill the environmental obligations they have accepted through technical and financial support. In particular, the international community needs to provide support to countries (mainly developing countries) that agree to the conclusion of treaties to solve specific environmental problems but do not have or lack the capacity to solve them.
 There are a number of means to support effective implementation of MEAs. Main means include financial support, technology transfer, and capacity building activities for developing countries. Looking at recent trends, provisions related to strengthening the implementation capacity of developing countries through technology transfer and financial support are gaining an important place in MEAs. Without appropriate capacity building and technology transfer, it is difficult to effectively achieve the main objectives of the relevant international environmental agreement. From this perspective, capacity building and technology transfer are essential elements for effective implementation of international environmental agreements.
 In the 2015 Paris Agreement, a treaty structure that stipulated technology transfer and capacity building in stand-alone provision(article) emerged, and in the BBNJ Agreement concluded in 2023, content related to capacity building and technology transfer was grouped into a separate chapter(Part). It has an impressive treaty structure, stipulating a total of seven articles. Capacity building and technology transfer form part of the global environmental governance architecture established by the relevant MEAs.
 In this article, I analyze the relevant provisions of major MEAs, focusing on capacity building through technology transfer for effective implementation of MEAs. First, we analyze regulations related to capacity building and technology transfer, focusing on the Convention on Biological Diversity and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which deal with biodiversity and climate change, which are the most important issues in the international environmental field in the 21st century. Next, I examine the structure and content of the capacity building and technology transfer provisions of the BBNJ Agreement, which was recently adopted in 2023, as the treaty with the most impressive capacity building and technology transfer provisions. The structure and content of the capacity-building and technology transfer provisions of the BBNJ Agreement, which can be evaluated as a model for desirable capacity-building and technology transfer-related regulations in the future, will also have a significant impact on the UN Plastic Treaty, which is expected to be concluded as a new international environmental agreement.

Not so polycentric: The stratified structure & national drivers of transnational municipal networks

As members of transnational municipal networks (TMNs), city governments increasingly create a landscape of global governance complementary to but largely independent of traditional, nation-state dominated organizations, from climate change governance to peacebuilding. But a growing number of cities now maintain multiple simultaneous memberships in different TMNs, affording a powerful minority of cities greater representation in world affairs, a skewed landscape that has to date received little attention. To examine the forces shaping this landscape of global governance, we analyze a detailed database of the TMN memberships of over 10,000 cities, observing memberships in both all TMNs collectively and specifically environmentally-focused TMNs.We find that this landscape mirrors the highly stratified core-periphery structure of cities in the world economy, where the most economically powerful cities maintain the most simultaneous memberships in TMNs of both sorts, affording them the greatest ability to set agendas and project ideas within global urban governance. In short, the same 4% of cities that connect the world economy together also have the most representation in global governance. This suggests a markedly more centralized landscape of global urban governance than much of the polycentricity literature expects. We also show how national attributes influence city participation. While democracy matters more for city memberships in all TMNs collectively, national action on global environmental governance matters more for city participation in environmental TMNs. Specifically, cities with more memberships in environmental TMNs tend to be in nations that ratify more international environmental treaties, indicating that participation serves a complementary role to national action. Cities with more memberships in all TMNs collectively tend to be in nations with higher civil liberties scores, indicating that cities from democratic regimes tend to be those most represented in this landscape.

A Comprehensive Report on Environmental Sustainability: A Global Perspective

In the last three decades, protecting the earth's environment has become a major challenge in international relations. Hundreds of regional and bilateral agreements, as well as at least ten global environmental agreements, were negotiated. Environmentalism can be seen as a social movement that seeks to influence jobs and education to conserve natural resources and ecosystems. Concerns for environmental protection have emerged in various forms in various parts of the world throughout history. The environmental movement is a diverse scientific, social and political movement. The movement is committed to ecology, health and human rights while accepting people as workers in the ecosystem. Today, it is generally accepted that environmental protection is a part of national policies and plans. The accepted standard to achieve this reduction target is "sustainable development". In fact, all existing laws and policies on environmental protection and human development, at the national or international level, aim at achieving "sustainable development". Despite the great environmental protection that humans have used in the past three decades, global warming has not reduced the occurrence of anomalous atmospheric phenomena due to scientific knowledge and available technology. Although many environmental policies and action plans have been negotiated over the past three decades, significant gaps remain in international environmental policy law. The framework has not yet become a method or method. Rather, each is a collection of commitments related to a democratic international or regional environmental issue. Nature has become negative by affecting the climate on the one hand and the health and safety of all living and non-living beings on the other. The ecosystem resonates with abnormal noise, vibration, dust and smoke from human activities. These events remind people that the environment must be protected with all enthusiasm and energy no matter what. Given the progress we have made in destroying the earth's environment, future global environmental efforts will focus more on environmental restoration than conservation. Human rights will also provide important opportunities for better protection of the environment.

РАРИТЕТНА СКЛАДОВА ФАУНИ НАЦІОНАЛЬНОГО ПРИРОДНОГО ПАРКУ «КРЕМЕНЕЦЬКІ ГОРИ»

The National Nature Park “Kremenetski Hory” is situated in the northern part of the Ternopil region, covering an area of 6,951.2 hectares. The park features a hilly terrain.
 The primary objective of the park is the protection and preservation of rare species. As of the beginning of 2023, there is a need for further research, particularly in the field of invertebrates, to better understand the fauna within the park.
 A total of 796 animal species have been documented in the National Nature Park “Kremenetski Hory” and its surrounding areas. This includes 12 amphibian species, 7 reptiles, 155 bird species, 48 mammals, 1 roundmouth, 484 insect species, and 60 mollusks. Notably, 217 of these species are afforded protection under Ukrainian and international environmental conservation agreements.
 This article presents data on animal species with nature protection status recorded within the park from 2012 to the first half of 2023. According to both literary sources and modern research, 55 species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine are documented in the park’s records, with 42 being reliably confirmed, 12 known only from literary sources, and one species considered to be erroneous.
 Further exploration of the park’s fauna is essential, and this can be achieved by involving specialists and utilizing modern recording technologies.

The Role of Public Policies in Increasing Foreign Direct Investments

Public policies play a crucial role in facilitating and promoting foreign direct investments (FDI) within a nation. This study examines the influence of government policies on foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows and delineates essential approaches for fostering the attraction of international investors. This study identifies five primary elements that exert influence on foreign direct investment (FDI) through the implementation of public policies. These aspects include investment incentives, the regulatory environment, infrastructure development, political stability, and trade agreements. Through a comprehensive analysis of these elements, governments have the ability to formulate policies that effectively stimulate Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and foster substantial economic growth. The present analysis underscores the significance of a conducive investment environment, encompassing tax incentives, streamlined regulatory frameworks, and efficient infrastructure. The presence of political stability and a strong adherence to the rule of law creates a favorable and secure climate for potential investors. Finally, engaging in active involvement in international trade agreements has the potential to enhance market access and strengthen foreign direct investment (FDI). In summary, it can be argued that the implementation of effective public policies has the potential to greatly enhance foreign direct investment (FDI), hence stimulating economic growth and promoting international interconnectedness.