Env Laws And Treaties Flashcards
(29 cards)
Stockholm declaration (1972)
•Establishment of UNEP
•Recognized right to a healthy environment
• impact of human on environment
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Stockholm convention (2001)
Legally binding treaty
Eliminating POP(persistent organic pollutants)
Safe disposal and alternative solution
Minamata Convention on Mercury (2013) –
Limits mercury pollution
CITES-1973
Protects wildlife from illegal trade
Vienna convention 1985
Ozone layer protection
Led to Montreal protocol
Montreal protocol -1987
Banned CfCs, HFCs, halogens
Healing of ozone layer
Basel convention 1989
Regulates hazardous waste movement
Prevents developed nations in dumping waste
Rio de janeiro 1992
Agenda 21
Sustainable development
CBD
Unfccc-1992
Global climate change
Kyoto protocol
Paris agreement
COP
Kyoto protocol 1997 -2005
Legally binding -reduce GHGs
Emission reduction targets
Replaced by Paris agreement
Rotterdam convention 1998
Regulates trade on toxic chemicals
Importing nation awareness increase on toxic chemicals
Nagiya protocol 2010
Under CBd
Fair sharing of genetics 🧬 resources
Minamata convention on mercury -2013 /
Paris agreement -2015
Combat climate change by limiting global temperature rise below 2°c(preferably 1.5°c)
Nationally determined contribution
Kigali amendment on Montreal protocol 2016
Aims to phaseout HFCs
Prevent 0.5°c rise in temperature of ocean by 2100
Cop 29- baku Azerbaijan
Azebaijan leadership concern
300$ billion dollar promise outif $1trullion
Walkout and bycott by many countries
Fossil foel industry participants
Ramsar convention 1971
Recognized wetlands as ecologically vital ecosystems for biodiversity, water purification, and flood control.
Protection and conservation ofnwetlands
UNCLOS 1982
Administered by the United Nations (UN) through the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).
legal rights and responsibilities of nations regarding the use of ocean resources.
regulate maritime boundaries, navigation rights, and environmental protection.
prevent conflicts over territorial waters and exclusive economic zones (EEZs).
•equitable use of marine resources.
Agenda 21
Non binding frameworks for govt to adopt various principles and method to achieve sustainable growth
Glasgow. Pact 2021
India and China pushed for “phasing down” instead.
Stronger 2030 Emission Targets: Countries asked to update their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by 2022 instead of 2025.
Methane Pledge: Over 100 countries pledged to cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030.
Climate Finance Commitment: Developed nations urged to double adaptation finance by 2025.
Loss and Damage Recognition: Acknowledges the need for financial aid to vulnerable nations (led to the Loss and Damage Fund at COP27).
- Major Outcomes
First-ever agreement to address fossil fuels directly under the UNFCCC.
Increased financial support for developing countries.
Encouragement for stronger climate action by 2030 rather than waiting until 2025.
Set the stage for further negotiations on carbon markets and adaptation finance.
- Challenges & Issues
“Phase Down” of coal seen as a weak compromise.
Insufficient climate finance ($100 billion/year promise still unmet).
No enforcement mechanism for emission cuts.
Limited commitments from major emitters (China, India, USA).
- Recent Developments
COP27 (2022): Established a Loss and Damage Fund for climate-affected nations.
COP28 (2023): Focused on phasing out fossil fuels and increasing climate finance.
Conclusion
The Glasgow Climate Pact was a historic step in global climate negotiations, but weak language on coal and financial gaps remain major concerns. Stronger enforcement and financial commitments are needed to meet the 1.5°C target.
Cartagena Protocol (2000) –
Biosafety regulations on genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022)
Meaning & Scope:
Adopted at COP15 for Biodiversity under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Introduced the “30x30” goal: Protect 30% of the world’s land and ocean by 2030.
Calls for reducing pesticide use, halting species extinction, and restoring degraded ecosystems.
🌍 Impact: The most ambitious biodiversity conservation agreement in history.
UN Convention to Combat desertification
Desertification (UNCCD) (1994) – Land restoration efforts
IPCC 1988
To support global negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a scientific body under the United Nations (UN).
Established in 1988 by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
It does not conduct research but reviews and synthesizes scientific studies on climate change.
Provides policy-relevant, but not policy-prescriptive reports to guide global action.
