...GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL REGIME DESCRIPTION The following paper is going to investigate, analyze and evaluate the Global Environmental Regime, topic that is included within the discipline of Global Governance. Najam, Papa and Taiyab (2006, p. 3) define the global environmental regime as “the sum of organizations, policy instruments, financing mechanism, rules, procedures and norms that regulate the processes of global environmental protection”. Nowadays, it has increased the importance of this sector in global governance, in which different actors are involved. Biermann (2004) states that global environmental regime is characterised as a multi-actor governance system where the non-state organisations have a large influence. Biermann (2004) highlights some actors such as nongovernmental lobbying as activist groups, business associations and policy research institutes; networks of scientist; the influence of mayor companies; intergovernmental organizations; and supra-national institutions (OCDE). EVALUATION Global environmental regime is an immature regime. In this section it is going to be analysed the main global governance gaps and what is their weaknesses. According to Fauchald (2010) the weaknesses of the regime are: 1. Environmental indicators still deteriorating despite the efforts of different actors. 2. Lack of coordination among the Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs). It is a problem the lack of common tools and the developing of a common strategy...
Words: 2247 - Pages: 9
...growing importance of global civil society in global environmental politics. Is this phenomenon synonymous with global environmental governance? The globalization phenomenon has altered many facets of the contemporary world. Areas of governance such as states’ policy making, the way companies do business, and how information is shared have all been affected by the increasingly globalized world. With all of these changes occurring at a rapid pace, state sovereignty has been challenged by a plethora of other actors who now can claim some form of governance in the global system. In the modern world sources of authority such as international governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, social movements, and multinational corporations all have joined the state in establishing governance on a wide array of issues: “Activist groups, business associations and policy research institutes now provide research and policy advise, monitor the commitments of states, inform governments and the public about the actions of their own diplomats and those of negotiation partners, and give diplomats at international meetings direct feedback (Betsill 243). In particular, one such area of global governance where there is a question of governmental authority can be seen in global environmental politics. Over the last few decades, the role of non-state actors in global governance has increased as citizens have taken their own initiatives to instigate environmental reforms: “Carefully...
Words: 1877 - Pages: 8
...failures of environmental multilateralism demonstrate the need for a World Environment Organisation.’ Critically evaluate this claim. One of the main challenges that face environmental politics today is a significant lack of integration between the global governance structures that address ecological matters. The international trade system has some of the most powerful institutional actors, such as the World Trade Organisation, where legal rules are supported by a dispute resolution body, trade sanctions, as well as the power to authorise other retaliation tactics when a country does not comply with a ruling (Eckersley 2003.) In contrast, the existing multilateral framework for environmental politics provides a fragmented, and incoherent arrangement to govern some of the most important ecological issues. Organisations like the United Nations Environmental Programme, for example, are supported by voluntary member state contributions, and lack the financial foundation, as well as the legal mandate to express sound environmental policy-making. As quoted by Eckersley (2003), “judged in terms of size and teeth, we might regard the WTO as a large tiger and MEAs as a ragged collection of small cats” (pp. 2.) This paper makes the case for a reorganisation of environmental governance, with the specific transformation of UNEP into a World Environment Organisation (WEO.) A WEO is argued to be able to provide an authoritative voice and force to issues of the global commons, as...
Words: 2688 - Pages: 11
...Futility of International Environmental Governance The increased frequency of irregular climatic events, among which are violent hurricanes, whirling tornados and record-breaking temperatures has resulted in an amplified concern in the changing climate. “Certainly, this is no coincidence; extreme circumstances often serve to galvanize public attention.” These rising trends of environmental awareness have superseded individual societies. Resultantly, there have been countless efforts of working towards pragmatic solutions to environmental concerns by means of global governance as an international collective. “The distinct characteristics of global governance lies in the assumption that the effective handling of problems is no longer the exclusive responsibility of government but of joint activities by governments, international and supranational institutions.” This understanding of global interconnectedness has incited the creation of numerous organizations, institutions and international environmental initiatives, specifically the Kyoto Protocol. However, environmental impediments have not seen notable improvements and can be attributed to the flaws of global environmental governance. Firstly, contributing to the failure of environmental policies is the ineffective structure of the Kyoto Protocol. Furthermore, with the rise of globalization, neoliberal ideals have prioritized market successes at the detriment of the environment and international environmental initiatives. Lastly...
Words: 2378 - Pages: 10
...students with an understanding of historical and contemporary issues that influence the development of accounting thought. As it has developed accounting theory has three main approaches, the descriptive or positive, the normative and the critical viewpoints. Based on these theoretical perspectives this unit will examine current issues such as social and environmental accountability, the ethical and global dimensions of accounting and the political context within which accounting policy decisions are made. The unit will take a research focus in that the work of researchers in accounting will be discussed. Accounting Theory is designed to provide students with an understanding of historical and contemporary issues that influence the development of accounting thought. As it has developed accounting theory has three main approaches, the descriptive or positive, the normative and the critical viewpoints. Based on these theoretical perspectives this unit will examine current issues such as social and environmental accountability, the ethical and global dimensions of accounting and the political context within which accounting policy decisions are made. The unit will take a research focus in that the work of researchers in accounting will be discussed. Accounting Theory is designed to provide students with an understanding of historical and contemporary issues that influence the development of accounting thought. As it has developed accounting theory has three main approaches, the...
Words: 666 - Pages: 3
...those materials. Trade and I investment, are thus affected by environmental concerns, because producers and investors have to comply with environmental regulations and markets have to address the consumer demand for greener goods. Apart from these physical and economic connections, there are certain legal institutions which govern trade, investment and the environment. Institutions like the World Trade Organization (WTO) and also regional & bilateral trade agreements include trade and investment rules. Multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), regional agreements, and also the national and sub-national regulations encompass the environmental law. Fundamental goals of WTO are sustainable development and protection and preservation of the environment. These are included in the “Marrakesh Agreement”, which established the WTO, and also complement the WTO’s objective to reduce the trade barriers and eliminate discriminatory treatment in international trade relations. Though, there is no specific agreement which deals with the environment, as per WTO rules members can adopt trade-related measures aimed at protecting the environment, following a number of conditions to avoid the misuse of such measures. The WTO contributes in protection & preservation of the environment through its objective of trade openness, its rules and enforcement mechanism, work in different WTO bodies, and ongoing efforts under Doha Development Agenda. The Doha Agenda consists of specific negotiations on...
Words: 7085 - Pages: 29
...equitable global partnership through the creation of new levels of cooperation among States, key sectors of societies and people, Working towards international agreements which respect the interests of all and protect the integrity of the global environmental and developmental system, Recognizing the integral and interdependent nature of the Earth, our home, Proclaims that: Principle 1 Human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development. They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature. Principle 2 States have, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law, the sovereign right to exploit their own resources pursuant to their own environmental and developmental policies, and the responsibility to ensure that activities within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the environment of other States or of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. Principle 3 The right to development must be fulfilled so as to equitably meet developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations. Principle 4 In order to achieve sustainable development, environmental protection shall constitute an integral part of the development process and cannot be considered in isolation from it. Principle 5 All States and all people shall cooperate in the essential task of eradicating poverty as an indispensable requirement for sustainable development, in order...
Words: 515 - Pages: 3
... AS A HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE ABSTRACT Environmental protection is a recent concept, developed in the international or regional human right protection systems or mechanisms. In those early days, especially when modern human rights protection mechanisms such as UDHR, ICCPR, IESCR and other human rights instruments adopted, the concern given to environmental protection was not that much significant . The only few provisions in these instruments recognizes some rights like the right to healthy and favorable condition of work, the right to get adequate food, clothing and shelter and the like. It was during in 1992, earth summit, that the relationship between human rights and sustainable environment is addressed. The need for the protection of environment becomes a necessity. In fact environment is a totality of human life; it means that it is sources of food, clothing, and shelter. The denial of environmental protection could bring about the denial of some fundamental rights such as the right to health, life, food and so on. It is true that, environment should be properly managed in order to make it favorable to human life. However; the effort to protect the environment faces different challenges like the issue of locus-standi, justifiability, conflict between developmental efforts and environmental protection, burden of proof, lack of cooperation among states and imbalance in the sharing of burden. This paper...
Words: 9961 - Pages: 40
...TORFINN—PANOS Do Global Attitudes and Behaviors Support Sustainable Development? By A NTHONY A. LEISEROWITZ, ROBERT W. K ATES, AND THOMAS M. PARRIS Many advocates of sustainable development recognize that a transition to global sustainability—meeting human needs and reducing hunger and poverty while maintaining the life-support systems of the planet—will require changes in human values, attitudes, and behaviors.1 A previous article in Environment described some of the values used to define or support sustainable development as well as key goals, indicators, and practices.2 Drawing on the few multinational and quasi-global-scale surveys that have been conducted,3 this article synthesizes and reviews what is currently known about global attitudes and behavior that will either support or discourage a global sustainability transition.4 (Table 1 on page 24 provides details about these surveys.) None of these surveys measured public attitudes toward “sustainable development” as a holistic concept. There is, however, a diverse range of empirical data related to many of the subcomponents of sustainable development: development and environment; the driving forces of population, affluence/poverty/consumerism, technology, and entitlement programs; and the gap between attitudes and behavior. Development Concerns for environment and development merged in the early concept of sustainable development, but the meaning of these terms has evolved over time. For example, global economic development is widely...
Words: 10704 - Pages: 43
...environment IV. Integrated development planning ................................................................... and implementation V. Prevention and control of Pollution ................................................................. and environmental degradation VI.Proactive approach to regional .......................................................................... and global environmental issues VII. Conclusion ........................................................................................................ VIII. Reference ........................................................................................................ Introduction The rapid development of economy, high depleted, high pollution mode of economic growth,to make the country's environment problem increasingly prominent. However, many of the countries in the implementation of green strategy to make the country's economic sustainable development. this report through discussed to Green strategies based on environmental policy in Malaysia how can improve environmental quality. And from the education and awareness, the effective management of natural resources and environment,comprehensive development planning and implementation, prevention and control of environment pollution and degradation, and global environment issues have been summarized. I). Environmental education and awareness in...
Words: 1922 - Pages: 8
...In the late twentieth century, rapid development of information technology and products such as the PC, satellite and Internet became a driving force of globalization. The impact of globalization is reflected on weakening world governments in terms of decision-making and influence, and on the increasing power of multinationals. Data from the World Economic Forum (WEF) shows that among the largest 100 global economies, 51 of them are transnational groups and the rest are national states. Although businesses represent the lifeblood of a nation's economy, they place excessive demand on the natural environment in pursuit of growth and stress the earth's ecosystems. As a result, earth-protection groups are calling on transnational groups to take up environmental, moral and social responsibilities. "Sustainable Development" is widely considered the challenge facing corporations in the 21st century. One of the prerequisites to achieving sustainable development is by sincerely carrying out corporate social responsibility (CSR). In the past, a company’s responsibility was about maximizing profits for shareholders and fulfilling CSR through the tax paying mechanism; that was all about social responsibility. Nowadays the definition of CSR has shifted from acting egoistic to altruistic. For example, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) defines CSR as "a business' commitment to contributing to sustainable economic development, working...
Words: 845 - Pages: 4
...The most often quoted definition is from the Brundtland Commission (1987), which states that sustainable development is “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Sustainability is, therefore, more of a journey than a destination wherein ideals, values and measurement metrics are in a constant state of evolution. The quest for sustainable development started with environmental concerns, and climate change has now become one of the biggest developmental challenges. As the Brundtland Commission had discovered...
Words: 1135 - Pages: 5
...as the increasing development of China’s economy, that is, environmental pollutions. Starting with air pollution, along with water pollution and soil pollution, China is currently facing the most serious problems than ever before. Establishing of many industrial factories has made China a top share in manufacturing. However, neglecting of protecting the environment while developing manufacturing has already resulted in lots of problems, such as the PM2.5 problem in many major cities, as well as the extreme lack of clean drinking water. On the other hand, concerns over global environmental issues, such as global warming, depletion of the ozone layer, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, trans-boundary movement of acid rain, and hazardous waste, etc., are mounting worldwide. About 25 years ago, a law named Environmental Protection Law of the People's Republic of China, which set out basic principles and directions for formulating environmental policies, was enacted on December 26, 1989. This Law was formulated for the purpose of protecting and improving people's environment and the ecological environment, preventing and controlling pollution and other public hazards, safeguarding human health and facilitating the development of socialist modernization. The law has stated that The state shall encourage the development of education in the science of environmental protection, strengthen the study and development of the science and technology of environmental protection, raise the...
Words: 1150 - Pages: 5
...2. a. ① The first step is called scanning. Through environmental scanning, every segment is analyzed to find trend indicators. Thus, after having examined the segment, indicators for its development are defined. Scanning is also used to detect weak signals in the environment, before these have conflated into a recognizable pattern, which might affect the organization’s competitive environment. ② Environmental scanning is only one component of global environmental analysis. After having identified critical trends and potential events they have to be monitored. The next step in global environmental analysis is called environmental monitoring. It can be defined as 'the process of repetitive observing for defined purposes, of one or more elements or indicators of the environment according to pre-arranged schedules in space and time, and using comparable methodologies for environmental sensing and data collection'.[13] Through environmental monitoring, data about environmental developments are recorded, followed and interpreted. Out of this, historical development changes that are important for the company can be recognized and evaluated. Additionally, the relevance and the reliability of the data sources are tested. Furthermore it is checked, where prognoses are required. ③The direction, intensity and speed of environmental trends are explored through environmental forecasting. Especially the search for possible threats is of importance. A prognosis of trends is necessary to get...
Words: 400 - Pages: 2
...1. Introduction A paradigm shift currently indicates the global challenges that industries are facing and more companies are pressured to embrace sustainability as business conditions change. However, only recently corporations started integrating sustainability as the part of their business strategy as they came to recognize that it is an essential part in growing and establishing themselves as the leader in the competing environment. A well-executed sustainability strategy can enhance the company’s value and reinforce competitive advantage in the market while protecting the capital base. The balance of power has shifted between corporations and it is important to balance economic prosperity along with environmental and social dimensions. Sustainable business strategy represents a marked shift in traditional business practices and companies who do not adapt to the changes in these practices in order to achieve sustainable profitability will be more likely to face the brand value decline or even extinction in the future. For instance, the change represents the need to understand how all three dimensions affect each other and companies ought to consciously create new consumer preferences. However, a lot of companies still are missing guidelines to implementing a marketing strategy of sustainability as an essential part, which is at the core of ensuring organizational, social, economic and environment growth while managing overconsumption issues (White, 2011). Current researches...
Words: 3789 - Pages: 16
