5. environment global governance Flashcards
(31 cards)
def global environmental governance
international environmental agreements, private bodies, ngos and organizations
def environmental security
the direct impact of climate change is on the daily lives of
people/society/community rather than on state security and violent conf
def convention
a type of general treaty between states often the result of an international conference
def governing the commons
areas and resources that do not fall under sovereign jurisdiction—they are not owned by anybody
def sustainable dvlpmt
as development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own need
def epistemic communities
as an expertise professional grou
def greenwashing
behaviour or activities that make people believe that a company is doing more to protect the environment than it really is doing
environmental history (big stepps)
- Early Environmental Concerns
- 1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment (UNCHE) – Stockholm Conference
- 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) – Rio Earth Summit
Held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. - 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) – Johannesburg Summit
- Rise of Environmental NGOs
Alongside state and UN initiatives, many NGOs became prominent:
explain early env concerns as the 1st step of env history
The world began seriously addressing environmental issues in the late 1960s.
In 1968, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) agreed to host a major international conference on environmental concerns.
Stockolm conference as the 2nd step of env history
First major international conference focused on the global environment.
Resulted in:
Creation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Many governments established national environmental departments.
Marked the beginning of institutionalized global environmental governance.
Rio Earth Summit as the 3rd step of env history
Introduced the concept of sustainable development—balancing economic growth with environmental protection.
Highlighted a compromise between:
Developed countries’ environmental priorities.
Global South’s need for economic development.
Produced key agreements like:
Agenda 21
The Rio Declaration
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
Johannesburg Summit as the 4th step of env history
Marked the 10th anniversary of the Rio Earth Summit.
Acknowledged the effects of globalization and the urgent environmental challenges in Africa.
Focused on poverty reduction as linked to sustainable development.
rise of env NGOs as the 5th step of env history
Friends of the Earth
Greenpeace
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
Older groups like the Sierra Club and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds also became more globally active.
NGOs played a major role in shaping global environmental awareness and advocacy.
4 challenges to global env gov
*Globalization Effects
-Has led to industrial relocation and population shifts, sometimes reducing the connection between people and nature.
-Contrary to fears, there’s little evidence of a “race to the bottom” in environmental standards.
*Market Failures
-Economists argue that environmental damage is often not reflected in product prices (externalities).
-Environmental costs need to be internalized for markets to work sustainably.
*Positive Impacts of Globalization
-Promotes the sharing of environmental knowledge and innovation.
-Strengthens the role of NGOs in international politics, increasing transparency and pressure on governments.
*Need for Global Solutions
-Environmental issues like climate change are global in nature.
-They require coordinated, international responses—this is the essence of global environmental governance.
5 key institutions involved in climate change debate
*United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
-> Coordinates UN environmental activities and assists developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies.
*UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
-> Main international treaty for addressing climate change.
Hosts the COP (Conference of the Parties) summits, e.g., COP21 (Paris Agreement).
*EU4Climate (European Union Project)
-> Supports Eastern Partnership countries (like Ukraine, Georgia) to develop climate policies, reduce emissions, and meet the Paris Agreement goals.
*Greenpeace
-> International NGO known for direct action and campaigning on climate change, deforestation, and ocean protection.
Influential in public awareness and lobbying.
*World Bank Group
-> Provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries for climate-resilient infrastructure, renewable energy, and adaptation projects.
what is the UNFCCC
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – 1992
-> A foundational treaty signed at the Rio Earth Summit.
Goal: Stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.
Did not set binding limits, but created a framework for future protocols.
Today, 198 countries are parties to the UNFCCC.
The US withdrew in 2020 under the Trump administration but rejoined in 2021 under President Biden
what is the Kyoto Protocole (1997)
Made the UNFCCC legally binding for developed countries (Goal: Stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere).
Required industrialized countries and economies in transition to reduce GHG emissions based on individual targets.
Introduced the idea of “common but differentiated responsibilities.”
US never ratified; Canada withdrew in 2011.
Divided the world into:
Annex I (developed countries with reduction targets)
Non-Annex I (developing countries with no binding targets)
2009 Copenhagen Accords
Aimed to reach a new agreement after Kyoto but lacked strong commitments.
Key tension:
Developed countries refused binding targets.
Developing countries insisted on their right to economic growth and equity.
Outcome: A political agreement, not legally binding, to limit temperature rise and provide financing.
Durban Platform (2011)
Launched negotiations for a universal legal agreement (led to Paris).
Provided for a second Kyoto commitment period.
Created the Green Climate Fund, aiming to mobilize $100 billion annually by 2020 to help developing countries with mitigation and adaptation.
2015 Paris Agreement
Entered into force in 2016.
Requires all countries to set nationally determined contributions (NDCs).
Goals:
Limit global warming to below 2°C above preindustrial levels.
Aim for 1.5°C if possible.
Unlike Kyoto, all countries participate, not just developed ones.
The US withdrew in 2020, rejoined in 2021.
Paris Agreement emphasizes transparency, flexibility, and voluntary national action.
what are UN climate change conferences (COP)
COP = Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC.
Held annually since 1995 (first COP in Berlin).
Recent highlights:
COP28 (2023) – Dubai, UAE. Included the first Global Stocktake, reviewing progress under the Paris Agreement.
COP29 (2024) – will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Hosting rotates among UN regional groups: Africa, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Western Europe and Others.
COPs:
Help set standards, promote climate action, and evaluate progress.
Include governments, private sector, civil society, and youth activists.
Advance topics like carbon markets, climate finance, just transitions, and energy transformation.
north-south divide in climate negociation
The Global North (Post-industrial, Developed Countries)
Focus on agenda-setting and funding climate efforts.
Emphasize mitigation (reducing emissions).
Support carbon border taxes (e.g., EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism).
Tie climate to national security and energy security.
Criticized for their historical responsibility in causing climate change.
🌾 The Global South (Developing, Emerging Economies)
Argue for equity and fairness in climate efforts.
Emphasize economic development and poverty reduction.
Highlight the principle of “Common But Differentiated Responsibilities”:
Developed countries caused most of the problem.
They must take the lead in reductions and support developing countries via funding and tech transfer.
Concerned about food and water security, climate resilience, and adaptation needs.
Who is Most Responsible for Climate Change?
- US, then EU, China, Russia, Germany, India, UK, France
great powers in climate change
United States
Trump administration announced withdrawal from the Paris Agreement in 2017 (effective in 2020, reversed in 2021 by Biden).
US climate policy has fluctuated depending on political leadership.
G20 Countries
Account for nearly 80% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Play a crucial role in international climate diplomacy and finance.
COP24 – Katowice, Poland (2018)
Key goal: Implement the Paris Agreement Rulebook (how countries should measure and report emissions).
Russia, US, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait blocked efforts to officially “welcome” the IPCC’s 1.5°C Report, weakening consensus.
Brazil, South Africa, India, and China
Key voices in climate diplomacy, often representing developing country interests.
Supported the Durban Platform (2011) and helped shape the bottom-up structure of the Paris Agreement (flexible, nationally determined contributions).
