Global Environmental Governance and the United Nations

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key treaties, organizations, and concepts of global environmental governance as discussed in the lecture.

Montreal Protocol (1987)

The strongest example of successful UN environmental governance, this 1987 treaty required all countries to phase out CFCs.

CFCs

Chemicals responsible for ozone depletion that were phased out under the Montreal Protocol.

COP26

A climate meeting held in Glasgow that focused on "phasing down" coal, increasing climate finance, and finalizing the Paris Rulebook.

State sovereignty

A principle that can dilute UN outcomes when environmental goals conflict with economic priorities or domestic interests.

IPCC

An international panel of climate experts that provides authoritative scientific evidence to create a shared knowledge base for states.

UNFCCC

The primary forum for climate negotiations involving $197$ member states and covering over $98\%$ of global greenhouse gas emissions.

COP27

A UN climate conference held in Egypt that established the Loss and Damage Fund.

Loss and Damage Fund

A fund established during COP27 in Egypt to address the impacts of climate change.

COP28

A UN climate conference held in Dubai that produced the first Global Stocktake.

Global Stocktake

A formal recognition produced at COP28 of the need to transition away from fossil fuels.

Paris Agreement (COP21, 2015)

A legally binding treaty adopted by $195$ countries to limit global warming, utilizing a cooperative and universal framework.

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

Individual climate plans that allow states to set their own targets and strategies under the Paris Agreement framework.

Kyoto divide

The historical split between developed and developing nations that the Paris Agreement sought to bridge through NDCs.

Phase down vs. Phase out

The weakening of the original coal proposal at COP26 from a total "phase out" to a "phase down" following pressure from India and China.