Environmental Politics Environmental Justice Questions Medium
There are several key international agreements and treaties related to environmental justice. These agreements aim to address environmental issues and promote justice in the context of environmental protection. Some of the notable agreements include:
1. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): Adopted in 1992, this treaty aims to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere and prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. It establishes the annual Conference of the Parties (COP) to assess progress and negotiate further actions.
2. Kyoto Protocol: An extension of the UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997 and entered into force in 2005. It sets binding emission reduction targets for developed countries and establishes mechanisms for emissions trading and clean development projects.
3. Paris Agreement: Adopted in 2015, the Paris Agreement is a landmark international treaty aimed at combating climate change. It sets a goal to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and strives for efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The agreement also emphasizes the importance of climate justice and the need to support vulnerable countries and communities.
4. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): Adopted in 1992, the CBD is an international treaty that aims to conserve biodiversity, promote sustainable use of its components, and ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources. It recognizes the importance of indigenous and local communities in conservation efforts.
5. Basel Convention: Adopted in 1989, the Basel Convention aims to control the transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal. It promotes environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes and addresses issues of environmental justice by preventing the dumping of hazardous wastes in developing countries.
6. Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs): Adopted in 2001, this treaty aims to protect human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants. It seeks to eliminate or restrict the production, use, and release of these chemicals, which have adverse effects on human health and the environment.
These international agreements and treaties play a crucial role in addressing environmental justice by promoting cooperation among nations, setting targets and standards for environmental protection, and ensuring the fair and equitable treatment of all communities, particularly those most vulnerable to environmental degradation.