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Framework of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs)Barbara Ruis

Tirana, Albania, 22-24 June 2010

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What are Multilateral Environmental Agreements? (MEAs)International legal instruments that: have environmental

protection/sustainable development as their goal

are concluded between a large number of states or international organizations as parties

concluded in written form governed by international law can be embodied in a single instrument

or in two or more related instruments (framework agreements)

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Milestones in the evolution of MEAs

The 1972 Stockholm Conference on the Human Development: first attempt to address inter-relationships of

environment and development at global level adopted first global action plan for environment established the United National Environmental

Programme (UNEP) accelerated development of modern MEAs: more than

60% of existing MEAs are adopted after 1972 The 1992 United Nations Conference on

Environment and Development (UNCED): national and international policies redirected towards

integration of environmental, economic and development objectives

Agenda 21 and Rio Declaration adopted development of new international regimes stimulated

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Multilateral Environmental Agreements - process

MEAs are developed through a thorough negotiation process among concerned countries.

The result is a mutually agreed upon treaty adopted via a high-level related conference, and signed by the signatories (states);

“Party”/ country ratifies (accepts, approves or accedes) the convention

After ratification of a fixed/ defined number of signatories the convention enters into force

Once a Party has finlized uts ratification process, it is subject to all its provisions.

Article 122 Constitution of the Republic of Albania

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ATMOSPHERESEAS

CHEMICALS & HAZARDOUS

WASTELANDBIODIVERSITY

Core MEA clusters

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MEA Clusters: Biodiversity

Consists of MEAs related to protection and conservation of biodiversity

Main conventions: CBD / Cartagena Protocol CITES RAMSAR CMS World Heritage

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MEA clusters: Land

MEAs focusing on protecting land from negative “altering”/land-use

Main convention: UN Convention to Combat

Desertification (UNCCD)

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MEA Clusters: Atmosphere MEAs aimed at protection of atmosphere from pollutants

Main instruments: Vienna Convention / Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete Ozone Layer UN Framework Convention on Climate Change / The Kyoto Protocol

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MEA Clusters: Marine Environment

Conventions relevant to marine environment:

UNCLOS/ Fish Stocks Agreement Global Program of Action for the

Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities (GPA)

17 Regional Seas Conventions and A number of Protocols on land-based sources of pollution of marine environment

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MEA clusters: Chemicals & Hazardous waste

Deal with hazardous impacts of wastes and chemical pollution

Main Conventions: Basel Convention on the Control of

Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal

Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (PIC)

Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

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MEA Implementation Implementation - a process of converting

international commitments and requirements into national law and policy in order to induce behavioral change of target groups, i.e. those actors causing the problem in question.

Compliance - refers to whether the countries adhere to the agreement provisions and undertake implementation measures, including procedural measures (e.g. national reporting).

Enforcement - Formal (national and international) procedures and actions by which compliance is compelled or non-compliance deterred.

Effectiveness - whether a MEAs resolved a problem that caused its creation.

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Institutional elements of core MEAs (1)

Conference of Parties (COP)Ultimate decision-making body on

implementation and development of their respective MEAs

SecretariatSupports COP and performs a number of

varied functions depending on the mandate of the MEA

Executive and subsidiary bodiesGenerally advisory in nature, report to COPs

on scientific, technical, or financial matters or on implementation progress; internal or external, standing bodies or ad hoc with a limited mandate

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Institutional elements of core MEAs (2) Clearinghouses

Facilitate exchange of information (websites, databases operated usually by the Secretariats)

Implementation actors on national levelRepresented by the national authorities

and/or institutions, training and information centres

Financial mechanisms

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Financial mechanisms Regime Budgets - MEAs can establish one of

more of mandatory or voluntary trust funds, most often administered by the international organizations that provide the Secretariats. Budgets are proposed by Parties and approved by the COPs

Development Assistance - Funds can be provided via foundations (e.g. UN Foundation), bilateral arrangements, private sector donors and NGOs

Other multilateral financing mechanisms - Global Environment Facility, The Kyoto Protocol climate-related mechanisms, the World Bank

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THANK YOU !

barbara.ruis@unep.org

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