Sustainability Regulations
1) Global Regulation on Sustainability
2) Description:
The main international governing group accepted by a majority of nations is the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC). The United Nations is constantly working with nations to supplement and amend the UNFCC. The UNFCC is focused on the reduction of green house gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide. The UNFCC came into force in June of 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (otherwise known as Earth Summit).
3) Enablers:
a) Increased knowledge of sustainability influencing politics of national governments
b) Market based mechanisms
c) Supplements and addendums to UNFCC (i.e. Kyoto protocol)
4) Inhibitors:
a) National government interests
b) No international enforcement
c) Financial commitments
5) Paradigms:
a) The UNFCC, “sets an overall framework for intergovernmental efforts to tackle the challenge posed by climate change.” It has allowed for passage of the Kyoto Protocol which specified binding targets of green house gas emissions. The UNFCC has annual conferences to:
i) Gather and share information on greenhouse gas emissions, national policies and best practices
ii) Launch national strategies for addressing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to expected impacts, including the provision of financial and technological support to developing countries
iii) Cooperate in preparing for adaptation to the impacts of climate change
6) Experts:
a) Yvo de Boer – Executive Secretary of UNFCC
7) Timing:
a) Dec 7 -18, 2009: Copenhagen, Denmark “United Nations Climate Change Conference”
8) Web Resources:
a) http://unfccc.int/2860.php - United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC)