Environmental Governance and Global Challenges

A series of flashcards based on key concepts from the lecture on environmental governance and global challenges.

Environmental issues

Challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution that cross national borders and require coordinated global action.

Global governance

The system of international cooperation that coordinates actions across countries to address global issues.

UNFCCC

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change; the main international body for climate negotiations.

Paris Agreement

A 2015 agreement in which nearly 200 countries committed to keeping global warming well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.

IPCC

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; produces scientific assessments that inform global climate policy.

National interest

The priorities of a state, often focused on economic growth and security, which can conflict with global environmental responsibilities.

Climate justice

Debates about responsibility and fairness in the context of climate action, including who should pay for the effects of climate change.

The Global South

Countries in the southern hemisphere that often face greater environmental impacts but contribute less to global emissions.

Climate finance

Financial support pledged by developed nations to assist developing countries in mitigating and adapting to climate change.

Non-state actors

Entities such as NGOs, cities, and corporations that participate in global governance and advocate for environmental issues.

Greenwashing

A deceptive practice where companies or governments promote false perceptions of environmental responsibility.

Ecocide

Proposed legal concept that would recognize destruction of the environment as a crime.

Polycentric governance

A governance structure involving multiple governing bodies at different scales that work independently yet cooperatively.

Binding international agreements

Formal treaties that include legal obligations for countries to meet specific environmental targets.

Intergenerational justice

The principle that future generations have rights that must be respected in current policy decisions.