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Environmental policy integration among multilateral environmental agreements: the case of biodiversity

Author
Velázquez Gomar J.O.
Journal/Series
International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics | Vol. 16(4), p. 525-541
Date
2016
Source
IUCN (ID: ANA-090876)
Publisher | Place of publication
Springer Science+Business Media Deutschland GmbH | Dordrecht, Netherlands
ISSN
1567-9764
Document type
Article in periodical
Language
English
Field of application
International
Subject
Environment gen., Wild species & ecosystems
Keyword
International relations/cooperation Policy/planning Biodiversity International agreement-implementation
Abstract

The system of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) comprises hundreds of conventions and protocols designed to protect the environment. Institutional interaction within the MEA system raises issues of environmental policy integration (EPI), i.e. balancing different environmental objectives and considerations. Mainstream proposals for enhancing EPI in environmental governance build upon the assumption that environmental institutions are fragmented. However, recent research reveals that the MEA system has been defragmenting over the years such that EPI is less a problem of institutional fragmentation than of effective management of institutional interplay. This paper examines the factors affecting EPI among MEAs by looking at experiences in the cluster of biodiversity-related multilateral agreements. The analysis is based on a series of interviews with MEA secretariat officials and international experts conducted between September 2011 and January 2012. The paper identifies institutional, political and cognitive barriers constraining interplay management efforts. While some have proposed regulatory changes in the cluster, national-level co-ordination appears to be the best way to advance EPI.

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