Reforming International Institutions to Improve Global Environmental Relations, Agreement, and Treaty Enforcement

Authors

Steven M. Anderson

Abstract

The number of international environmental agreements has increased dramatically over the last several decades. Unfortunately, signed global accords have not always translated into ratified, fully enforced treaties. Several factors contribute to this dilemma including: the constraints of international law, recurring debates between lesser developed countries and their northern neighbors over standard setting and treaty administration, overburdened treaty implementation bodies, and-as evidenced by the U.S. example-domestic politics.

Reforming the current international environmental legal structure can help resolve enforcement difficulties. This Note examines existing international environmental organizations- with particular focus on the Global Environment Facility-and points to procedures and practices which have been used effectively to encourage compliance with environmental conventions. These practices should be examined by and shared among existing international environmental organizations. Moreover, it may be time to create one international body charged with overseeing the health of the global environment.

Recommended Citation

Steven M. Anderson, Reforming International Institutions to Improve Global Environmental Relations, Agreement, and Treaty Enforcement, 18 Hastings Int'l & Comp. L. Rev. 771 (1995).
Available at: https://repository.uclawsf.edu/hastings_international_comparative_law_review/vol18/iss4/7