The Global Institutionalisation of Environmental Protection Measures by the United Nations

This paper argues that the United Nations have played an essential role in the global institutionalisation of environmental protection measures and are still of great importance in this regard.

To investigate this thesis, the sociological theoretical framework is going to be outlined in chapter 2. Chapter 2.1 deals with the basic assumption of Frank, Hironka and Schofer. Afterewards, in chapter 2.2 and 2.3, two relevant sociological concepts are going to be presented: norms and institutionalisation. In relation to the thesis, this is going to be brought together in chapter 2.4, which describes the institutionalisation of global norms.

In chapter 3, the role of the United Nations is going to be presented. After briefly introducing the UN in chapter 3.1, the Charter of the United Nations – which is the founding document – is going to be analysed for hints to environmental protection in chapter 3.2. Chapter 3.3 describes the main outcomes of the United Nations Conference on the Human environment which took place in 1972. In chapter 3.4, the United Nations Environment Programme is going to be presented. Chapter 3.5 deals with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, while chapter 3.6 is concerned with the related COP 21 and the Paris Agreement. Additionally, the United Nations Development Goals are important in this context and are going to be outlined in chapter 3.7, such as the United Nations International Year, presented in chapter 3.8. Finally, the conclusion summarizes the results in regard to the thesis.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• 1 Introduction
• 2 Theoretical framework
• 2.1 The Increase of Nation States' Activities of Environmental Protection
• 2.2 The Sociological Concept of Norms
• 2.3 The Sociological Concept of Institutionalisation
• 2.4 The institutionalisation of global norms
• 3 The Role of the United Nations in the Global Institutionalisation of Environmetal Protection
• 3.1 The United Nations
• 3.2 Environmental Protection in the Charter of the United Nations
• 3.3 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment
• 3.4 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
• 3.5 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
• 3.6 COP 21 and the Paris Agreement
• 3.7 United Nations Development Goals
• 3.7.1 Millennium Development Goals
• 3.7.2 Sustainable Development Goals
• 3.8 United Nations International Years
• 4 Conclusion and Outlook

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper examines the role of the United Nations in the global institutionalisation of environmental protection measures. It argues that the United Nations have played a key role in this process and continue to be important in this regard. The paper investigates the history of this institutionalisation, drawing on the work of Frank, Hironka, and Schofer (2000) who argue that the increase of nation state activities concerning environmental protection is a top-down process.

• The global institutionalisation of environmental protection measures
• The role of the United Nations in this process
• The sociological concepts of norms and institutionalisation
• The increase of nation states' activities of environmental protection
• The importance of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Chapter 1: Introduction introduces the topic of environmental protection and its increasing importance in the context of threats such as global warming. It raises the question of how and by whom this growing liability towards the natural environment has been institutionalised, highlighting the United Nations' crucial role in this process.
• Chapter 2: Theoretical Framework begins by discussing the findings of Frank, Hironka, and Schofer (2000) who argue that environmental protection has been institutionalised at the global level through a top-down process. It further presents the relevant sociological concepts of norms and institutionalisation and explores the institutionalisation of global norms in relation to the thesis.
• Chapter 2.1: The Increase of Nation States' Activities of Environmental Protection elaborates on Frank, Hironka, and Schofer's argument about the increasing activities of nation states in environmental protection as a result of global institutionalisation. This chapter examines how nation states' actions, such as establishing environmental ministries and joining environmental NGOs, have grown alongside the increasing importance of environmental protection issues within the United Nations.
• Chapter 3: The Role of the United Nations in the Global Institutionalisation of Environmental Protection presents the United Nations as a crucial actor in this process. It begins by outlining the United Nations' history and analyzing the Charter of the United Nations for mentions of environmental protection.
• Chapter 3.1: The United Nations provides a brief introduction to the organization.
• Chapter 3.2: Environmental Protection in the Charter of the United Nations explores the founding document of the United Nations for hints on environmental protection.
• Chapter 3.3: United Nations Conference on the Human Environment focuses on the main outcomes of this conference, which took place in 1972, highlighting its significance in the context of environmental protection.
• Chapter 3.4: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) presents the creation and role of this program, established in 1972, in the context of environmental protection.
• Chapter 3.5: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change deals with the establishment and impact of this convention on climate change.
• Chapter 3.6: COP 21 and the Paris Agreement explores the outcomes of the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP 21) and the Paris Agreement, emphasizing their significance in the global effort to address climate change.
• Chapter 3.7: United Nations Development Goals examines the role of the United Nations Development Goals, particularly the Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals, in the context of environmental protection.
• Chapter 3.8: United Nations International Years highlights the importance of designated international years focused on environmental protection, showcasing their impact on global awareness and action.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The key terms and concepts explored in this paper include the global institutionalisation of environmental protection, the United Nations' role in this process, environmental protection measures, norms and institutionalisation, nation states' activities of environmental protection, global warming, climate change, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement, the United Nations Development Goals, and the Millennium Development Goals.

Details

• College: University of Hannover
• Grade: 1,3
• Author: Elisa Schulzki (Author)
• Publication Year: 2017
• Pages: 16
• Catalog Number: V454714
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668862432
• ISBN (Book): 9783668862449
• Language: English
• Tags: Global Conflicts UN UNO United Nations Climate Environment Environmental Protection Climate Change UNEP Millennium Development Goals Sustainable Development Goals Institutionalisation