International Actors
And The Environment
Various Sorts
Nation states
International Governmental
Organizations (IOs or IGOs)
Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs
or INGOs)
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Nation States
Have sovereignty
International positions arise from
– Domestic political factors
– Perceived costs, risks (& benefits) of an
environmental regime
– International politics
– Subnational actors (states, cities)
– Scientific evidence
– Existing commitments (treaties, etc.)
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Nation States, cont.
Play various roles in making
international environmental policy
– Lead state
– Supporting State
– Swing state
– Veto state
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International Governmental
Organizations (IOs or IGOs )
There are many
And many types
– International financial
– UN & its associated IOs
– Independent (of the UN) IOs
Are formed for many purposes
IOs can be influential
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IOs Exercise Influence By
Agenda setting
Convening &/or influencing negotiations
Using the “tools” available to them
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IO Tools
Money
Expertise
– Research
– Consulting
– Implementation
Publicity
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International Financial
Institutions
Primarily exist to facilitate development of the
global economy
Three major non-environmental ones
– World Bank
– International Monetary Fund
– World Trade Organization (WTO)
• Previously the General Agreement of Tariffs & Trade
(GATT)
Plus the Global Environment Facility (GEF)
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International Financial
Institutions, cont.
None (except GEF) explicitly exist to pursue
environmental goals
All, but especially the World Bank, have been
criticized for pursuing economic goals at the
expense of the environment
All, but especially the World Bank, have
reacted by trying to increase their sensitivity
to environmental concerns, although there is
some evidence of “backsliding.”
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Global Environment Facility (GEF)
Created by World Bank, which shares
management with UN agencies
Created to provide funds for
environmental projects
Has experienced some turmoil during its
brief history
Is an important source of funds for
developing nations
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UN & Its IOs
General Assembly
United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)
Commission on Sustainable Development (an
outgrowth of the Rio Conference)
United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP)
Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)
and many others
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Independent (of UN) IOs
“Decentralized, sectoral”
– Little coordination
– Little integration
E.g.s
– International Joint Commission
– International Whaling Commission
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Non-Governmental
Organizations (NGOs or INGOs)
Private, not for profit types
– Have influence
• Agenda setting
• Lobbying
• Proposing actions
• Monitoring
– Seem to be growing in numbers, influence
– E.g. Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth,
World Wildlife Fund
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Businesses, Corporations
Are important international actors (especially
where strong environmental regimes do not
exist)
– Agenda setting
– Lobbying
Tend to prefer less regulation, or, failing that,
regulation that is consistent across national
boundaries & which affects all businesses
equally
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Businesses, Corporations, cont.
There is some evidence of interest in
sustainable development on the part of
some businesses
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