Global environmental 9
politics
Contents
The paradox of international co-operation 243
Environmental regimes: the ozone and climate change treaties 245
Ozone protection 246
Climate change 249
Accounting for regimes 256
Regime implementation 261
Global environmental politics and sustainable development 265
Conclusion 268
Further reading and websites 269
Key issues
◗ What are environmental regimes?
◗ How can the growth of international environmental co-operation be explained?
◗ What are the obstacles to international environmental co-operation?
◗ Are environmental treaties effective?
◗ Has international environmental co-operation contributed to sustainable
development?Environmental problems at a global and international scale pose major chal-
lenges to the achievement of sustainable development. The distinguishing
feature of aninternationalenvironmental problem is that it does not respect
national boundaries. Several transboundary issues, such as the conservation
of endangered wildlife, natural habitats and marine life, have been around
formany years. Some problems that were once predominantly regional or