The significance of non-state actors in environmental and trade negotiations

Environmental NGOs are generally successful in influencing environmental negotiations and agreements because these NGOs often consist of people who are experts in environmental science, and they tend to have information that is not available to government negotiators. Hence their expert knowledge and contributions are welcomed and highly regarded (Rahman and Roncerel, 1994, p241). The agreement drawn up at the recent Cancun climate change conference was influenced by approximately 300 NGOs who voiced their opinions at several meetings and events hosted by Mexico’s Foreign Ministry (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-12/11/c_13644965.htm) . Gordon Shepherd, head of the World Wide Fund’s (WWF) Global Climate Initiative gave credit to the Mexican presidency for “creating a negotiation atmosphere that was inclusive and efficient” (http://wwf.panda.org/?197831/Global-climate-deal-in-reach-with-Cancun-outcometcome) .

The WWF is a leading international independent conservation organisation registered under Swiss law in 1961. WWF has 90 offices in over 40 countries across the world and they are involved in a wide range of environmental, conservation and climate change issues. http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_quick_facts.cfm http://www.wwf.org.za/who_we_are/

However, not all aspects of WWF activities are embraced by some governments. For example, WWF is committed to marine conservation, and have campaigned for the banning of Whaling. In previous years, they along with Greenpeace, they have successfully lobbied the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to implement whaling restrictions. http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/oceans/why-greenpeace-won%E2%80%99t-compromise-commercial-whaling-20100621

But, along with all other environmentalist groups, they were excluded from the opening discussions of the 62nd annual International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting, held in Morocco during June 2010. It is believed that pressures from Japan, Norway and Iceland to negotiate in private, in their drive to resume commercial whaling, may have been behind the NGOs and Media initial exclusion. The meeting ended without any agreement or satisfactory proposals. Wendy Elliot, WWF International Species Manager said, “we are left with a situation in which yet again, Japans whaling fleet will kill hundreds of whales in the Southern Ocean in the name of ‘science’”. http://www.wwf.org.za/what_we_do/marine/?2601/Whaling-meeting-ends-in-failure-after-shutting-out-NGOs-and-mediaNGOs-and-media


It is reported that Whaling is a valuable and corrupt industry and that an estimated 35,000 whales have been killed in 24 years, (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article7149086.ece) during this timeframe there was a moratorium on Whaling, with the exception that Japan had a licence to whaling for scientific research. Elliot argued that “the IWC should step up its responsibilities to help save these majestic animals”. Another member of WWF suggested that “the IWC should consider creating a sponsorship programme for delegates from developing countries to avoid further allegations of vote-buying”.

WWF also has a Trade and Investment Programme that works with governments and industry in emerging economies, to provide ‘green’ goods and services domestically and internationally in order to reduce the depletion and pollution of natural resources and achieve sustainable trade. The programme also includes sustainable development. http://www.wwf.org.za/what_we_do/trade_investment/ .

In summary, as a non-state actor, WWF plays a leading and significant role in environmental and trade diplomacy.