List of international environmental agreements

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This is a list of international environmental agreements.

Most of the following agreements are legally binding for countries that have formally ratified
them. Some, such as the Kyoto Protocol, differentiate between types of countries and each
nation's respective responsibilities under the agreement. Several hundred international
environmental agreements exist but most link only a limited number of countries. These bilateral
or sometimes trilateral agreements are only binding for the countries that have ratified them but
are nevertheless essential in the international environmental regime. Including the major
conventions listed below, more than 3,000 international environmental instruments have been
identified by the IEA Database Project [1].

Contents

 1Alphabetical order
 2Topic order
o 2.1General
o 2.2Atmosphere
o 2.3Freshwater resources
o 2.4Hazardous substances
o 2.5Marine environment – global conventions
o 2.6Marine environment – regional conventions
o 2.7Marine living resources
o 2.8Nature conservation and terrestrial living resources
o 2.9Noise pollution
o 2.10Nuclear safety
 3See also
 4References
 5External links
Alphabetical order

Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and

Access to Justice in Environmental Matters, Aarhus, 1998

 Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of

Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), Washington DC, 1973
 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution
 Convention on Nature Protection and Wild Life Preservation in
the Western Hemisphere, Washington DC, 1940
 Convention on Nuclear Safety, Vienna, 1994
o EMEP Protocol
o Heavy Metals Protocol
o Multi-effect Protocol (Gothenburg protocol) [6]
o Nitrogen Oxide Protocol
o POP Air Pollution Protocol
o Sulphur Emissions Reduction Protocols 1985 and 1994
o Volatile Organic Compounds Protocol
 Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping
Wastes and Other Matter
 Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile
Use of Environmental Modification Techniques
 Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary
Watercourses and International Lakes (ECE Water Convention),
Helsinki, 1992
 Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea against Pollution ,
Bucharest, 1992
 Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the
Baltic Sea Area 1992 Helsinki Convention, Helsinki, 1992
 Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial
Accidents, Helsinki, 1992
 Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially
As Waterfowl Habitat (notably not a Multilateral Environmental
Agreement)
 Convention to Ban the Importation into Forum Island Countries
of Hazardous and Radioactive Wastes and to Control the
Transboundary Movement and Management of Hazardous
Wastes within the South Pacific Region, Waigani, 1995
 Convention to Combat Desertification  (CCD), Paris, 1994
 Conventions within the UNEP Regional Seas Programme
 Directive on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions
 Energy Community (Energy Community South East Europe
Treaty) (ECSEE)
 Espoo Convention Convention on Environmental Impact
Assessment in a Transboundary Context, Espoo, 1991
 European Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of
Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways (AND), Geneva, 2000
 European Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of
Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR), Geneva, 1957
 FAO International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use
of Pesticides, Rome, 1985
 FAO International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources ,
Rome, 1983
 Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine
Environment of the Caspian Sea
 Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), New
York, 1992
 Geneva Protocol (Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War
of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or other Gases, and of
Bacteriological Methods of Warfare)
 International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic
Tunas(ICCAT), Rio de Janeiro, 1966
 International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from
Ships
 International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the
Sea by Oil, London, 1954, 1962, 1969
 International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW),
Washington, 1946
 International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and
Agriculture
 International Tropical Timber Agreement (expired), 1983
 International Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA), Geneva, 1994
 Kuwait Regional Convention for Co-operation on the Protection
of the Marine Environment from Pollution, Kuwait, 1978
 Kyoto Protocol - greenhouse gas emission reductions
 Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
 Minamata Convention on Mercury, 2013
 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer,
Montreal, 1989
 North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation
 Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty
 Putrajaya Declaration of Regional Cooperation for the
Sustainable Development of the Seas of East Asia, Malaysia,
2003
 Ramsar Convention Convention on Wetlands of International
Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat, Ramsar, 1971
 Regional Convention for the Conservation of the Red Sea and
the Gulf of Aden Environment, Jeddah, 1982
 Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure
for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International
Trade, Rotterdam, 1998
 Stockholm Convention Stockholm Convention on Persistent
Organic Pollutants Stockholm, 2001
 Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in
Outer Space, and Under Water
 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
 United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
  Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer ,
Vienna, 1985, including the Montreal Protocol on Substances
that Deplete the Ozone Layer, Montreal 1987
 Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage ,
Vienna, 1963
 Western Regional Climate Action Initiative
 Working Environment (Air Pollution, Noise and Vibration)
Convention, 1977

Topic order
 General Ma
 Aarhus Convention Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in
Environmental Matters, Aarhus, 1998 
 Espoo Convention Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context, Espoo, 1991
AtmosphereConvention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP), Geneva, 1979 

 Environmental Protection: Aircraft Engine Emissions, Annex 16, vol. 2 to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, 
Montreal 1981
 Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), New York, 1992, including the Kyoto Protocol, 1997, and the Paris 
Agreement, 2015
 Georgia Basin-Puget Sound International Airshed Strategy, Vancouver, Statement of Intent, 2002 [7] 
 U.S.-Canada Air Quality Agreement (bilateral U.S.-Canadian agreement on acid rain), 1986 
 Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, Vienna, 1985, including the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete
the Ozone Layer, Montreal 1987 


Freshwater resources 
Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (ECE Water Convention), Helsinki, 1992

Hazardous substances 
Convention on Civil Liability for Damage Caused during Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road, Rail, and Inland Navigation 
Vessels (CRTD), Geneva, 1989

 Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal , Basel, 1989
Ma
 Convention on the Ban of the Import into Africa and the Control of Transboundary Movements and Management of Hazardous
Wastes Within Africa, Bamako, 1991

 Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade ,
Rotterdam, 1998 
 Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents, Helsinki, 1992

 European Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways  (AND), Geneva, 2000
 European Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road  (ADR), Geneva, 1957

 FAO International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides , Rome, 1985
 Minamata Convention on Mercury, Minamata 2013
 Stockholm Convention Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants Stockholm, 2001
 Convention to Ban the Importation into Forum Island Countries of Hazardous and Radioactive Wastes and to Control the
Transboundary Movement and Management of Hazardous Wastes within the South Pacific Region, Waigani, 1995


Marine environment – global conventions 
Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (London Convention), London, 1972 Na

 International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto 
 
(MARPOL 73/78), London 1973 and 1978 
 International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil, London 1954, 1962 and 1969 
 International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (CLC), Brussels, 1969, 1976,1984 and 1992
 International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage (FUND)1971 
and 1992, Brussels, 1971/1992 
 International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious 
Substances by Sea (HNS), London, 1996 
 International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation  (OPRC), London, 1990 
 International Convention Relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Oil Pollution Casualties  Intervention Convention,
Brussels, 1969 
 Protocol on Preparedness, Response and Co-operation to Pollution Incidents by Hazardous and Noxious Substances  OPRC-HNS
Protocol, London, 2000 
 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea LOS Convention, Montego Bay, 1982
No
Fur


Nu





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


See also
Action for Climate Empowerment

 Arms control
 Earth Negotiations Bulletin
 Environmental law
 Environmental organizations
 Environmental tariff
 International Network for Environmental Compliance and
Enforcement
 List of climate change initiatives
 List of environmental laws by country
 List of environmental lawsuits
 List of supranational environmental agencies
 List of treaties
 Wildlife Enforcement Monitoring System

References
^ https://iea.uoregon.edu/

1. ^ http://www.carpathianconvention.org
2. ^ a b Antarctic Fauna and Flora
 3. ^ a b Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living
Resources Archived 2004-01-12 at the Wayback Machine
4. ^ a b Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic
Seals Archived 2003-12-27 at the Wayback Machine
5. ^ Protocol to Abate Acidification, Eutrophication and Ground-level
Ozone
6. ^ Georgia Basin-Puget Sound International Airshed Strategy,
Vancouver, Statement of Intent, 2002

External links
Relationship between MEAs and the World Trade Organization

 Mitchell´s Databaseproject on IEAs

 ECOLEX-the gateway to environmental law
Categories: 
 Environmental treaties
 International relations lists
 Environment-related lists
 Lists of treaties

International Environmental Law Research Guide

This is an in-depth guide to researching international environmental law.

Contents
 Introduction
 Getting Started
 Treaties
 Foreign Statutes and Regulations
 Foreign and International Case Law
 Periodical Literature
 Current Awareness
 Organizations
 Additional Resources
 Other Research Guides

Key to Icons
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 On Westlaw

 On Lexis
 On Bloomberg

 PDF

 More Info (hover)

 Preeminent Treatise

 Study Aid

Treaties
Treaties govern many aspects of international environmental law. This section lists many
of the most common multilateral treaties and indicates sources for locating treaties
generally. There is also an online Glossary of Terms for Negotiators of
Multilateral Environmental Agreements which is also in print at the Wolff
Library. For more detailed information on researching treaties -- including treaty
indexes, status, updating and ratification information -- see our Treaty
Research guide.

There is another genre of international environmental agreements called soft law.

The Parry and Grant Encyclopaedic Dictionary of International Law INTL
REF KZ1161 .P35 2009defines soft law as "A term used to refer to non-binding
instruments or documents which have the appearance of law....While not legally binding,
soft law can be politically influential in setting down objectives and aspirations."
Documents constituting soft law can often be located on the websites of individual
organizations. Examples of key soft law documents in international environmental
law include Agenda 21: Programme of Action for Sustainable Development,
the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and the Forest
Principles.

SELECTED ENVIRONMENTAL TREATIES AND AGREEMENTS

This list highlights some of the most frequently cited multilateral agreements related

to the environment as there are many, many environmental treaties. See EISIL's
International Environmental Law page for links to additional agreements.

 Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of

Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal
  Convention of Biological Diversity
o Biosafety Protocol (Cartagena Protocol)
 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
 Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International
Watercourses
 Framework Convention on Climate Change
 International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from
Ships (MARPOL 73/78)
 International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling
 Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change
 Law of the Sea (LOS)
 Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution
 North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAFTA
side agreement)
 Ozone Treaties
 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPS)

TREATY COLLECTIONS

The following resources offer collections of environmental treaties.

 ECOLEX
Free database from FAO includes treaties, national legislation and court
decisions. Use the advanced search option to search by jurisdiction.
 EISIL
This website is produced by the American Society of International Law and pulls
together international law by topic. The environmental section is a
comprehensive collection of treaties and includes bluebook citations under "more
information" for each treaty.
 Environmental Law Instruments (UNEP)
This list includes treaties from 1933 with many in pdf format.
 Environmental Treaties and Resource Indicators (ENTRI)
We can't tell if this database is updated, but it does offer useful search capabilities
such as by date, number of signatories, year of entry into force and many more.
Click on Treaty Locator on the left side to access it.
  Global International Waters Assessment (GIWA)
A draft map divides the world's waters into regions. By clicking on the region, you
can see the major international agreements, actors, research, state of the
environment and other useful information. Good place to start when you need to
know which agreements govern which areas.
 International Environmental Law : Multilateral Treaties INTL
K3583.A1 I575 1974
This nine volume print looseleaf (updated regularly) is a comprehensive
collection of treaties and "soft law."
 International Environmental Soft Law: Collection of Relevant
Instruments INTL K3583.I58 1993
While this set has ceased updating, it offers a great collection of soft law
documents.
 International Freshwater Treaties Databases
This resource has nearly 450 treaties from 1820-2002. Full text is included and
often citation information is provided. There are other databases (water events,
water atlas, etc) available from the Transboundary Freshwater Dispute
Database home page.
 International Protection of the Environment: Conservation in
Sustainable DevelopmentINTL K3585.4.I58 1995
This multi-volume looseleaf set is updated regularly and offers a huge collection
of international environmental documents including treaties, statements,
declarations, resolutions from multiple bodies, and much more. Also has "soft
law" documents.

The general treaty collections below can be very useful when you need to cite to an
official source.

 HeinOnline United Nations Law Collection (Georgetown Law Only)

This collection includes the United Nations Treaty Series (UNTS) and it is easy to
search. You can even search by UNTS citation.
 United Nations Treaty Collection
This database is the electronic version of the United Nations Treaty
Series (UNTS). It can be challenging to search, but it includes ratification tables
and images from the print series. The Status of Treaties is also available and
includes reservations and declarations for many treaties.