Difference between revisions of "Environmental NGOs"
From NGO Handbook
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As part of that international community, the United Nations acts a major advocate for non-governmental activity. A significant event behind the formation and rise of environmental NGOs was the UN Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm, Sweden in 1972 (Genmill and Bamidele-Izu 2002). | As part of that international community, the United Nations acts a major advocate for non-governmental activity. A significant event behind the formation and rise of environmental NGOs was the UN Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm, Sweden in 1972 (Genmill and Bamidele-Izu 2002). | ||
| − | The Stockholm Conference marked the beginning of organized environmental awareness on an international level (Halpern 1992). Representatives from 113 states, members of specialized agencies, and members of IGOs (intergovernmental organizations) and NGOs participated. The conference established a framework for environmental action and published The Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, which states, “The protection and improvement of the human environment is a major issue which affects the well-being of peoples and economic development throughout the world; it is the urgent desire of the peoples of the whole world and the duty of all Governments.” Principle 21, adopted at the conference, held states responsible “to ensure that activities within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the environment of other States or of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction.” This eventually became international law(Halpern 1992). | + | The Stockholm Conference marked the beginning of organized environmental awareness on an international level (Halpern 1992). Representatives from 113 states, members of specialized agencies, and members of IGOs (intergovernmental organizations) and NGOs participated. The conference established a framework for environmental action and published The Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, which states, “The protection and improvement of the human environment is a major issue which affects the well-being of peoples and economic development throughout the world; it is the urgent desire of the peoples of the whole world and the duty of all Governments.” Principle 21, adopted at the conference, held states responsible “to ensure that activities within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the environment of other States or of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction.” This eventually became international law (Halpern 1992). |
| − | The Stockholm Conference is credited with influencing the many international conferences that followed, and for the establishment of over 1,200 multilateral and bilateral treaties and agreements, and legislation and agencies in virtually every country (Halpern 1992). Many national governments developed domestic environmental programs as a result of the Stockholm Conference, and “it legitimized the biosphere as an object of national and international policy and collective management (Speth 2002). Additionally, the Stockholm Conference also played a major role in the creation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), an international body that identifies global environmental issues and acts as a catalyst and educator . | + | The Stockholm Conference is credited with influencing the many international conferences that followed, and for the establishment of over 1,200 multilateral and bilateral treaties and agreements, and legislation and agencies in virtually every country (Halpern 1992). Many national governments developed domestic environmental programs as a result of the Stockholm Conference, and “it legitimized the biosphere as an object of national and international policy and collective management (Speth 2002). Additionally, the Stockholm Conference also played a major role in the creation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), an international body that identifies global environmental issues and acts as a catalyst and educator. |
| − | Twenty years later, the 1992 United Nations conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, served as a continuation. The | + | Twenty years later, the 1992 United Nations conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, served as a continuation. The UNCED particularly affected the development of NGOs (Speth 2002). Nearly every country in the world was represented (a total of 178), and more than 172 heads of state attended (UN website; Halpern 1992). More than 1,400 environmental NGOs were officially accredited in Rio , and about 7,000 NGOs participated in the “Global Forum” event organized in conjunction with the conference (Breitmeier, Rittberger 1998). |
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| + | This initiative acknowledged the need for and involvement of non-state actors in reaching sustainable development goals (Speth 2002). Following the Earth Summit, in December 1992, the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) was established to ensure effective followup of UNCED. The Commission on Sustainable Development is also responsible for reviewing the progress of Agenda 21. Agenda 21 is a comprehensive document calling for a balanced and integrated approach to the environment and development. Agenda 21 addressed social and economic factors, such as poverty and consumption patterns, that affect the global environment. It analyzed the need for conservation and sound management of resources, and provided a framework for how all social groups could implement it. | ||
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==Types of Environmental NGOs== | ==Types of Environmental NGOs== | ||
Environmental NGOs exist in virtually every country in the North and South. They operate on the international, national, or local level. They may work independently, or as part of networks or coalitions. Environmental organizations can be classified according to legal or geographic focus, function, subject and when they were founded(Trzyna 1998). | Environmental NGOs exist in virtually every country in the North and South. They operate on the international, national, or local level. They may work independently, or as part of networks or coalitions. Environmental organizations can be classified according to legal or geographic focus, function, subject and when they were founded(Trzyna 1998). | ||
Revision as of 11:16, 4 August 2008
Contents
Introduction
Recent decades have seen an increase in the number, role, and functions of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with an environmental focus. As transnational actors in civil society, these environmental NGOs seek to directly impact and influence environmental issues on the international, national, and local levels. This article will address how the rise of global awareness of the environment led to the creation and development of environmental NGOs in response to these issues, their objectives and roles, and the outlook for their participation and impact on these issues in the future.
The environment emerged as a new critical international issue in the 1970s. Concerns such as the depletion of natural resources, climate change, and harmful pollutants began to gain awareness in the public’s mind. The environmental movement in the United States, for example, emerged from incidents and individuals reacting to governments who were slow or unwilling to address issues and problems.
The UN system played an integral role in the promotion and creation of environmental NGOs. Two important international conferences established a platform for groups to organize, set agendas, and make policy recommendations.
Today, issues such as global warming and sustainable development command world attention. The mandates and missions of environmental NGOs are directed towards promoting solutions, advocating action, and policing agreements and policies, including holding governments accountable for these treaties such as the Kyoto Protocol.
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