Since the mid-1980 the concern about the environment has been growing and diplomacy has played an important role in this issue. So, nowadays we can talk about environmental negotiations as a way to try to solve the problems caused by the humans/nations in the environment.
In environmental negotiations, states are not the only parties involved, non-state actors such as NGOs or International Organizations are also involved in the negotiations. Non-state actors are used as advisors by 
states, as representatives of poor countries and as sources of independent analysis of situations and problems. Moreover, due to the experience, legitimacy, independency and resources of non-state actors, they are also important setting the agenda and conducting debates.
states, as representatives of poor countries and as sources of independent analysis of situations and problems. Moreover, due to the experience, legitimacy, independency and resources of non-state actors, they are also important setting the agenda and conducting debates. However, even though non-state actors play an important role in environmental negotiations, states are still the only ones that can sign, accept and implement the agreements achieved in the negotiations. Therefore, the real power of non-state actors in this kind of negotiation is very limited. They can neither impose anything to any state, nor sanction states for not applying the agreements. They can only recommend and provide information and analysis.
During the environmental negotiations in Copenhagen in 2009, there were hundreds of NGOs accredited and they were very active trying to engage everyone to: 1) a huge reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and; 2) to a solution to the climate change. But, in the end, states were the only ones signing the agreement and the national interest of some states was before any solution to the problem.
Thus, can we talk about non-state actors as key players in environmental negotiations or is it just an illusion?
Thus, can we talk about non-state actors as key players in environmental negotiations or is it just an illusion?
Carles Reina Tortosa
The influence that non-state actors hold is not just an illusion.
ReplyDeleteYes, states ultimately sign any agreement - which are generally slow to be formulated and disputed between developed and developing countries.
However, without the continuous efforts of environmental and conservation groups, many governments would not even consider, let alone discuss, environmental problems.
Thus, environmentalist keeps the environment in the spot-light and on the international agenda.
The significance of non-state actors in environmental negotiations is a very interesting issue. I believe that they are essential and invaluable as they arguably have the power to put pressure on governments by using their expertise to highlight issues of concern, hereby forcing state leaders to work toward reaching international agreements.
ReplyDeleteVery nicely written, Carles.
As much as I agree with Merlyn, I beleive that the non-state actors in most cases abuse those priviledges and therefore their roles should be reduced especially when it has to do with the climate change or environmental issues.
ReplyDeleteA typical example is the role the Greenpeace, friends of the earth and other NGO's played Zambia 2002. That year, seven countries in Southern Africa experienced a famine which left 14 million at risk of starvation; the US aid donations offered were refused by Zambian president with the words:'Simply because my people are hungry, that is no justification to give them poison, to give them food that is intrinsically dangerous to their health'
(Channel4, 2010). These NGO's supported the Zambian refusal and published alarmist allegations about the possible dangers of genetically modified organisms (Channel4, 2010).
Hence, solong as the Greeenpeace and CO are concerned, people should be denied food just because they "NGO" are of the assumption that genetically modified food are not good for human consumption and also for the environment; this is an assumption because they do not have a scientific evidence to prove their argument.
Just recently, scientists in America has come up with GM pigs; these pigs are able to digest phosphates, which means they are less polluting and cheaper to feed in comparisom to normal breeded pigs which cannot easily digest chemicals called phosphates. That means that the stuff that comes out of the back end can be toxic and damaging to the environment. The phosphates are easily washed into waterways, where they can produce a hugely fertile environment for plants. But the plants grow so rapidly that they choke the stream or river and cause huge damage to the ecosystem (BBC, 2011).
Evidently, that the non-state actors do not have a scientific evidence to back their arguments and therefore should be stopped or cautioned. I believe that the non-state actors should do their home work very well before pressuring the international societies into making grievious mistakes. So far, they have abused the priviledges given to them by international society and its about time those priviledges are withdrawn.
Well, Well ladies this is a tricky one, put your handbags away lol...I think that NGO's play an important role when it comes to environmental awareness and yes we do need such groups to highlight environmental issues but there is only so much they can do. If you have states such a China and India who are not most concerned with such matters there is not much NGO's can do to change that, other than running their same old campaigns. You have to remember that there are some cultures who simply do not place the environment that high on their agenda and countries with issues so great that discussions of the environment do not even come to mind. However, I totally get Carles's point and agree to some degree, but I would not refer to such NGO's as key players an illusion.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it has been an on going struggle for NGOs to get governments to agree on a united plan against global warming but we must be careful not to undermine their importance. NGOs have set governments more firmly on the path towards a low-emissions future and take action on climate change.
ReplyDelete