Environmental agreements - Definition and Overview

There are numerous international environmental agreements made to protect the environment in different ways. Many of these are legally binding.

One of the most well-known proposed agreements, the Kyoto protocol, is not legally binding as of 2001, because not enough countries have ratified it. However, it will come into force on February 2, 2005 as its quorum is met with the Russian ratification on November 4, 2004.

International environmental agreements include:

The Alpine Convention together with ist nine protocols

• Antarctic Treaty
  • Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora [1] (http://www.oceanlaw.net/texts/antarctic1964.htm)
  • Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals [2] (http://www.oceanlaw.net/texts/seals.htm)
  • Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources [3] (http://www.oceanlaw.net/texts/ccamlr.htm)
  • Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty
• Basel Convention
• Convention on Biological Diversity
• Convention on Fishing and Conservation of Living Resources of the High Seas
• Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution
  • Nitrogen Oxide Protocol
  • POP Air Pollution Protocol
  • Sulphur Emissions Reduction Protocol
  • Volatile Organic Compounds Protocol
• Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats
• Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals
• Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna
• Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and Other Matter
• Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques
• Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially As Waterfowl Habitat
• International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
• International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling
• International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
• International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1983 (expired)
• International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1994
• Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer
• North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation
• Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants.
• Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space, and Under Water
• United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
• United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

See also

• List of treaties
• Kyoto Protocol - proposed by IPCC, but not in force
• Environmental organizations
• International environmental law