Showing papers by "Marc A. Levy published in 1996"

Assessing the effectiveness of international environmental institutions

Abstract: In the pages of this column we have tried to explore the various ways in which the term institution can be defined and interpreted in light of the contemporary social challenge of global environmental change. International regimes are one important type of international institution whose purpose is to coordinate the activities of states and other actors. Scholars of international relations regard regimes as sets of rules, norms, procedures and programmes which prescribe appropriate forms of behaviour and promote the achievement of collective goals. As Marc Levy demonstrates in the analysis which follows, regimes are now sufficiently varied in topic and practice that good comparative studies can be undertaken to assess just what type and format are likely to be best for a fairer and more efficacious international environmental agreement. Given the relative recency of major regimes and the huge variety of circumstances in which they are expected to work, this research effort has been impressive and timely. But an effective regime is only as good as the willingness of the parties to make it so. Up to a point, that willingness can be engendered by the regime creation process itself. But only up to a point. Effective international environmental governance still relies on compliant states and far-seeking stakeholders who hold the trump cards.

Institutions for environmental aid : pitfalls and promise

Abstract: The discrepancy between levels of environmental quality of rich and poor countries will continue as long as large per capita gaps in income persist. Institutions for Environmental Aid draws on research from economics, international relations, and development assistance, as well as the growing literature on international environmental relations, to evaluate the effectiveness of international institutions designed to facilitate the transfer of resources from richer to poorer countries, in conjunction with efforts to improve the natural environment.Looking at the Global Environmental Facility, aid arrangements associated with the Montreal Protocol on the ozone layer, environmental operations of world financial institutions (with respect to aid to Eastern Europe and efforts to save tropical forests), debt-for-nature swaps, and the Rhine River, Institutions for Environmental Aid asks whether they increase concern, improve the contractual environment, and increase national capacity -- functions identified in a companion study, Institutions for the Earth.The authors of this carefully planned collaboration observe that although there is some evidence of effectiveness in these terms, conflicts of interests within and between states, and involving nongovernmental and intergovernmental organizations, are frequently debilitating; successful initiatives result from a combination of favorable constellations of interests and creative, dedicated leadership. Global Environmental Accords series

Institutions for the Earth. Sources of Effective International Environmental Protection.

Abstract: Global environmental problems have gained prominence since the 1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment. Analyses underrepresent the institutional dimensions that shape environmental policy processes. Increased government concern enhanced contracts and increased national capacity have been influenced by international environmental institutions. This volume focuses on specific international environmental issues: protection of the ozone layer European acid rain protection of the Baltic and North Seas oil pollution of the oceans international fisheries management pesticide use in developing countries national population institutions and effective international environmental institutions. The case studies illustrate three distinct functions of international environmental institutions: 1) to enhance the ability to make and keep agreements 2) to promote concern among governments and 3) to build national political and administrative capacity. The obstacles to effective government response to commons and national environmental problems have been low levels of concern about environmental threats lack of the capacity to manage environmental threats and the inability to overcome problems of collective action. Institutions can catalyze government concern and influence environmental policy. International environmental institutions can facilitate contracts by ensuring regular interaction between policy makers on the same set of issues providing monitoring and verification services and monitoring violations. Capacity building can be increased through provision of technical assistance and training programs and of networking between international groups and countries with shared resources. The degree of success of international environmental institutions has varied across issues. Government concern about fisheries issues has not increased and the only key change has been the 200 mile national zone regulations in 1977. Contracts have improved for issues of the ozone layer acid rain and Baltic-North Sea pollution. Building state capacity has improved only for developing countries and not developed ones. Small staffed environment-centered coalitions can be successful.