IGOS v Environment

• Montreal Protocol has limited use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as they realised in 1970s they damage the ozone layer which absorbs the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays

  1987 an agreement by UN was set up to ban use of CFCs and every country in the world signed it

  Limited by the fact in 2012 to 2017 there was an increase in emissions of a type of CFC and Antarctica wont fully recover until 2100.
• CITES is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora - agreement over trading wild plant and animal species

  in 1975 it was agreed and covers 6000 animal species and 32,000 plant species

  Cites has helped protect the vicuna as it was seriously endangered in 1970s as people used its fur but now reached over 450,000

  Limited by the fact sanctions aren't always imposed and action can take very long
• UNCLOS is United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which is a treaty that governs the use of the sea - countries have a responsibility to protect oceans and marine creatures - countries have a right to fish but sustainable limits, convention ensures countries cooperate

  Limited as it does not cover everything, people argue an overarching treaty is needed + its also hard to enforce
• • Helsinki Water Convention is a way to help countries manage their shared water resources in a sustainable way as many countries share rivers through transboundary water courses
  • helped the Rhine area in Germany come to agreement as it involves 5 countries
  • also supported lots of monitoring and research around water quality e.g. chloride levels
  • Limited as only 47 countries have joined the convention
• Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA)was set up by the UN in 2001 to carry out a study of environment and environmental change - idea was it would provide a scientific basis to tackle environmental problems and how they impact human wellbeing

  MA found out earths ecosystems are being damaged and degraded mainly by human activities

  Limited as many countries have ignored MA's research
• Antarctic Treaty System (1959) protects Antarctica from exploitation by 3 rules:

  • antarctica only used for peaceful reasons
  • countries should cooperate on scientific research
  • antarctica should remain in global commons (no claims to it)

  overall viewed as success as it ended territorial claims and stayed largely unexploited

  Protocol on environment protection added in 1991 and protects fragile environment, banned all mining and prevents pollution

  Limited as there is no system to ensure all countries abide by the rules, tackling problems can be very slow

  treaty cant respond to ice melt