International Conferences, Conventions, NGOs and Laws on Environment - Environment Notes

Q: Question: What is the Minamata Convention?

Answer: The Minamata Convention on Mercury is an international environmental convention aimed at safeguarding human health and the environment from the negative effects of mercury and its derivatives. It focuses on certain human activities that contribute to widespread mercury contamination. The adoption of this Convention is intended to minimise mercury pollution over the next few decades. It is a United Nations treaty administered by the United Nations Environment Programme. (UNEP).

Q: Question: What is the Global Climate Fund?

Answer: The Global Climate Fund (GCF) was established to assist developing nations with climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts. The notion was first mentioned in the Copenhagen Accord in CoP-15. Formally in Cancun for CoP-16. The World Bank has been appointed as the fund's provisional trustee.

Q: Question: What is the Ramsar Convention?

Answer: The Ramsar Convention, commonly known as the Wetland Convention, is an environmental treaty signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. The discussions for this treaty began in the 1960s in order to safeguard internationally significant wetlands and encourage their sustainable usage. The Ramsar Convention entered into force in 1975. There will be 49 Ramsar areas under the Wetland Convention by 2022.

Basic purpose and goal of International conferences, conventions, NGOs and laws on the Environment are to regulate and govern our attitude to conserve and protect the natural environment. These institutions guarantee that environmental protection efforts are properly implemented and that the procedure is followed both at the state and national levels.

This article explains that the International conferences, conventions, NGOs and laws on Environment are important for UPSC IAS 2023 exam preparation.

Table of Contents

International Conferences, Conventions, NGOs and Laws on Environment
Conclusion
FAQs
MCQs

International Conferences, Conventions, NGOs and Laws on Environment

Name of the Convention	Organisation	Functions/Recommendations
UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) (2022)	United Nation	The Kenyan and Portuguese governments co-hosted the conference. The Indian delegation to the UN Ocean Conference was led by the Minister of Earth Sciences. Through collaborations and ecologically sustainable solutions, India vowed to develop research and innovation-based solutions for Goal 14 implementation. The UN Ocean Conference 2022 is associated with SDG 14 'life below water' and emphasises the vital need for scientific knowledge and marine technologies to create ocean resilience.
Global Methane Assessment: Benefits and Costs of Mitigating Methane Emissions (2022)	Published by the UNEP in association with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition.	Methane Concentration in the Atmosphere: Methane concentration in the atmosphere has more than doubled from pre-industrial times. Second only to carbon dioxide in terms of contributing to climate change. Despite the fact that CO2 levels declined during the epidemic, methane levels in the atmosphere reached record levels last year. Reducing anthropogenic emissions: Reducing anthropogenic emissions by 45% would avert a 0.3 degree Celsius rise in global warming by 2045. The possibility for mitigation varies by country and location. China, for example, has the greatest mitigation potential in coal production and livestock, whereas India has the most in the garbage sector. o The fossil fuel industry held the most promise for low-cost methane reductions.
Adaptation gap Report (2020)	UNEP	The annual cost of adaptation to climate change consequences for developing nations is expected to triple by 2050 ($500 billion). The rising cost of adaptation has outpaced the rise of adaptation funds. Adaptation costs are higher in rich nations, while the burden of adaptation is larger in developing countries in comparison to their GDP. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on adaptation attempts, although its impact has yet to be assessed. To close the gap, significant scaling up and incentivizing of both public and private adaptation funding is necessary. Nature-based solutions (NbS) must be prioritised.
Emission gap Report (2020)	UNEP	GHG emissions continued to rise (4% per year on average since 2010, with a 2.6% increase in 2019 owing to forest fires) and reached a new high of 59.1 GtCO2e in 2019. Maximum GHG emissions were accounted for by fossil CO2 emissions. The G20 countries are responsible for the majority of emissions: China, the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom, and India accounted for 55% of all GHG emissions over the previous decade. Current NDCs would result in at least a 3°C temperature increase by the end of the century.
Climate change Performance index (2020)	Published by Germanwatch, Climate Action Network International and the NewClimate Institute	It attempts to improve openness in international climate politics by allowing comparisons of individual nations' climate protection initiatives and progress. The Index includes 57 nations as well as the EU. The rankings are determined by a country's overall performance in 14 variables across four categories. 40% reduction in GHG emissions 20% Renewable Energy Energy Consumption- 20% 20% for climate policy
Aviation climate Deal (2017)	International Civil Aviation Organisation	The deal includes a method for levying a "carbon emission tax" on airlines to offset emissions in the aviation sector. The agency's carbon offsetting mechanism is projected to reduce emissions from commercial flights while costing the business less than 2% of revenue. The agreement mandates member nations to decrease emissions by 2020 and restrict them by 2021. From 2021 through 2026, participation in the agreement is entirely optional. The agreement becomes required in 2027. Countries such as the United States and China have committed to follow through on the agreement, but Russia has refused to engage during the optional phase.
Kigali Amendment (2016 Entered into force on 1st January 2019)	International Agreement	It is an amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which is an environmental treaty signed by countries to phase out Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs) from the earth’s atmosphere. It aims for the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by cutting their production and consumption. The goal is to achieve over 80% reduction in HFC consumption by 2047.
UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2015)	United Nation	The UN 2030 Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) aim at eradicating poverty in all forms and “seek to realize the human rights of all and achieve gender equality”.
International Solar Alliance (It was launched at the 2015 Paris Climate Change Summit)	Launched by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Francois Hollande. Under this alliance, 121 countries that fall within the tropics have been invited. headquarters at Gurugram, India.	It seeks to empower solar-rich countries located between the tropic of Cancer and the tropic of Capricorn to make collaborative efforts to harness solar energy to generate electricity. Its major objectives include global deployment of over 1,000GW of solar generation capacity and mobilisation of investment of over US $1000 billion into solar energy by 2030.
Minamata Convention (2013)	International treaty	It is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury and its compounds.
BioCarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes’ (2013)	Multilateral fund, supported by donor governments and managed by the World Bank.	It promotes reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the land sector, from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD+), and from sustainable agriculture, as well as smarter land-use planning, policies and practices.
PAGE (2013)	United Nation	The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) was established in 2013 in response to the demand at Rio+20 to assist nations seeking to begin on greener and more equitable economic paths. PAGE is a tool for coordinating UN activities on the green economy and assisting nations in implementing and monitoring the upcoming Sustainable Development Goals. Initially, four UN bodies, including the ILO, UN Environment, UNIDO, and UNITAR, joined together to give nations wide and targeted help.
UN Conference on Sustainable Development (2012)	United Nation	It was the third international conference on sustainable development aimed at reconciling the economic and environmental goals of the global community. It is also known as Rio 2012 / Rio+20 / held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on the 20th anniversary of Earth Summit. Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) is a direct response to the Rio+20 Declaration
Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) (2012)	Governments of Bangladesh, Canada, Ghana, Mexico, Sweden and the United States, along with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), came together to initiate efforts to treat short-lived climate pollutants as an urgent and collective challenge.	It is the only global effort that unites governments, civil society and the private sector, committed to improving air quality and protecting the climate in the next few decades by reducing short-lived climate pollutants across sectors.
Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (It was established in Panama City in 2012)	It is an independent intergovernmental body HQ : Bonn, Germany	It was established to strengthen the science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, long-term human well-being and sustainable development
Nagoya Protocol (2010 Entered into force on 12 October 2014)	Second Protocol on CBD	The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilisation to the Convention on Biological Diversity is an international agreement which aims at sharing the benefits arising from the utilisation of genetic resources in a fair and equitable way
Global Climate Fund (GCF) (Formed in 2010)	It is a fund within the framework of UNFCCC	It is founded to assist developing countries in adaptation and mitigation practices to counter climate change. First mention of concept in Copenhagen Accord in CoP-15 Formally in CoP-16 at Cancun. The World Bank is chosen as a temporary trustee of the fund. HQ : Incheon, South Korea It is intended to be the centrepiece of efforts to raise Climate Finance of $100 billion a year by 2020. This is not an official figure for the size of the Fund itself, however. No clarity about from where money will come in this fund. Developed countries even after pledging have contributed very little to it.
UN-REDD (2008)	Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)	Its goal is to contribute to the realisation of forest solutions to the climate emergency by reducing carbon emissions and encouraging carbon sequestration. India did not participated in UN-REDD
Amazon Fund (Established in 2008)	It is a REDD+ mechanism Amazon Biomem	It is a mechanism focused on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, as well as the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. The Amazon Fund's goal is to encourage Brazil and other tropical developing nations with forests to continue and expand voluntary reductions of greenhouse gas emissions caused by deforestation and forest degradation. The major goals of the Amazon Fund are to encourage the preservation of this legacy and the sustainable growth of the region. It serves as a REDD+ mechanism and oversees the Fund in addition to raising funds for investments in initiatives to stop, monitor, and fight deforestation as well as to advance the protection and sustainable use of forests in the.
REDD+ (2007)	Created by the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP) Defined in Bali Action Plan, 2007, (CoP13)	REDD+ (or REDD-plus) = to "reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries" REDD+ is essentially a vehicle to financially reward developing countries for their verified efforts to reduce emissions and enhance removals of greenhouse gases through a variety of forest management option India favours REDD+
The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) (2007)	Germany and the European Commission	It is a global initiative to raise awareness of the global economic benefits of biodiversity. It aims to "make the values of nature evident."
Global Climate Change Alliance + (GCCA+) (2007)	European Union	This initiative aims to build a new alliance on climate change between developing countries and the European Union. It focuses on strengthening climatic conditions in most vulnerable places like Small Island Developing States, and particularly in Least Developed Countries.
Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT) (Initiated in 2005)	CAWT is a unique voluntary public-private coalition	It aims to focus public and political attention and resources on ending the illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products. Reduce consumer demand for illegally traded wildlife by raising awareness.
International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) (2004)	FAO	Recognizing farmers' great contribution to the variety of crops that feed the globe. Creating a worldwide infrastructure to enable access to plant genetic resources to farmers, plant breeders, and scientists. Ensuring that beneficiaries share the advantages derived from the usage of these genetic resources with the nations from where they were derived.
World Summit on Sustainable Development (2002)	International summit	It was convened to discuss [sustainable development] organisations, 10 years after the first Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. It was therefore also informally nicknamed “Rio+10”. Reviewed progress in the implementation of Agenda 21 since its adoption in 1992
Stockholm Convention (2001 Entered into force in 2004)	Stockholm, Sweden	It is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants (POPs). It sets up a system for tackling additional chemicals identified as unacceptably hazardous. Global Environmental Facility (GEF) is the designated interim financial mechanism.
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (2000 Came into force in 2003)	First Protocol on CBD	It is an international agreement which aims to ensure the safe handling, transport and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health.
United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) (2000)	The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC), established the UNFF In October, a subsidiary body.	Main objective to promote “the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests and to strengthen long-term political commitment to this end” based on the Rio Declaration, the Forest Principles Reverse the loss of forest cover worldwide through sustainable forest management (SFM) Enhance forest-based economic, social and environmental benefits
Rotterdam Convention (1998 Entered into force in 2004)	UN Treaty	It is an international treaty designed to facilitate informed decision-making by countries with regard to trade in hazardous chemicals. Objectives : To promote shared responsibility and cooperative efforts among State Parties in the international trade of certain hazardous chemicals in order to protect human health and the environment from potential harm.
Kyoto Protocol (1997)	UNFCCC	It is an international treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It is based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, keeping in mind the socio-economic development of the concerned countries and the polluter pays principle. It gave binding targets to Annex I countries. India has ratified the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol known as the Doha Amendment to the protocol. The Paris agreement (2015) is not an amendment to the Kyoto Protocol but a separate instrument altogether.
Arctic Council (Set up in 1996)	Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Russia, and the United States.	It is the leading intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic States, Arctic indigenous communities and other Arctic inhabitants on common Arctic issues, in particular on issues of sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) (1994)	United Nation	It is a United Nations convention aimed at addressing desertification and droughts. It is a sole legally binding environment convention that links development and environment to sustainable land management. The convention endorses and employs a bottom-up approach to international environmental cooperation
Global Tiger Forum (GTF) (Formed in 1994 with its secretariat at New Delhi)	GTF is the only inter-governmental & international body campaigning to save the TIGER worldwide.	Worldwide campaign, common approach, promotion of appropriate programmes and controls to save the remaining five subspecies of tigers in the wild Global Tiger Initiative- An alliance of governments, international agencies, civil society, and the private sector united to save wild tigers from extinction.
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)/ Biodiversity Convention (1992, Entered into force in 1993)	Multilateral Treaty	The Convention has three main goals: Conservation of biological diversity (or biodiversity); Sustainable use of its components; and Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (1992, Came into force on 21st March 1994)	Inter-Governmental Treaty	It is the primary multilateral treaty governing actions to combat climate change through adaptation and mitigation efforts directed at control of emission of GreenHouse Gases (GHGs) that cause global warming. The Convention’s ultimate objective is “to achieve stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system”. This objective is qualified in that it “should be achieved within a time frame sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner”
The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED)/ Rio Summit (1992)	United Nations	The Rio Summit 1992 is also called the Earth Summit. It culminated in the adoption of five documents, namely Rio Declaration– a statement of broad principles to guide national conduct on environmental protection and development. Agenda-21, a massive document containing a detailed action-plan for sustainable development. Legally Non-Binding Principles of Forestry. Convention on Climate Change and Convention on Biodiversity.
The Rio Declaration (1992)	United Nation	It is a statement of 27 principles for the guidance of national environmental behaviour and enlisting general rights and obligations on environmental protection. Rio principles placed human beings at the centre of sustainable development concerns.
Agenda - 21 (1992)	United Nation	The United Nations' Agenda 21 is a non-binding action plan for sustainable development. It is a result of the 1992 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Earth Summit, a United Nations conference on environment and development. It is an action plan that may be carried out at the local, national, and international levels by the UN, other multilateral organisations, and various sovereign governments. Every local government should create its own local Agenda 21 as one of the project's main goals. The initial goal of Agenda 21 was to achieve global sustainable development by the year 2000; the "21" in the name refers to the intended year of the 21st century.
Global Environment Facility-GEF (Established on the eve of the 1992 Rio Earth Summit)	It is a unique partnership of 18 agencies — including United Nations agencies, multilateral development banks, national entities and international NGOs	The GEF provides grants for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent organic pollutants. The GEF also serves as financial mechanism for the following conventions: Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Minamata Convention on Mercury
National Greenhouse Gas Inventories Programme (1991)	Established by IPCC	To provide methods for estimating-national inventories of greenhouse gas emissions to, and removals from, the atmosphere.
Alliance of Small Island States (Established in 1990)	AOSIS has a membership of 44 states India is not a member.	It is an intergovernmental organisation of low lying coastal and small island nations. Purpose of the alliance is to consolidate the voices of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to address global warming As the existence of many AOSIS states are put at risk by climate change AOSIS has threatened lawsuits. In Indian ocean 4 states are member: Comoros Maldives Mauritius Seychelles
Montreux Record (1990)	The Montreux Record was established by Recommendation of the Conference of the Contracting Parties . It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.	Montreux Record under the Convention is a register of wetland sites It is a list of Wetlands of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference. Sites may be added to and removed from the Record only with the approval of the Contracting Parties in which they lie. In India – Keoladeo National Park and Loktak Lake. Chilka lake was removed from the list
Basel Convention (1989 Came into action in 1992)	Multilateral Environmental Agreement	The Basel Convention directs a “Prior Consent Approval” method to control the transboundary movements of harmful and other wastes to reduce their adverse effects on the environment.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (1988)	World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).	The IPCC produces reports that support the UNFCCC. IPCC reports cover all relevant information to understand the risk of human-induced climate change, its potential impacts and options for adaptation and mitigation. The IPCC does not carry out its own original research.
Montreal Protocol (Signed in 1987 Came into force in 1989)	Multilateral Environmental Agreement	The protocol set targets for reducing the consumption and production of a range of ozone depleting substances. The 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and its succeeding amendments were subsequently negotiated to control the consumption and production of anthropogenic ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) and some hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). ODSs include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), bromine containing halons and methyl bromide, HCFCs, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), and methyl chloroform.
World Commission on Environment and Development (1987)	UN General Assembly	It developed the theme of sustainable development. It was the first time Sustainable Development was officially defined; This commission is also called the Brundtland commission.
Brundtland Report (1987)	Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development	Gave concept of "sustainable development" The concept of sustainable development focused attention on finding strategies to promote economic and social development in ways that avoided environmental degradation, over-exploitation or pollution, and side lined less productive debates about whether to prioritise development or the environment.
International Tropical Timber Organisation(ITTO) (1986)	ITTO is an intergovernmental organisation, under UN	It works to promote the conservation and sustainable management, use and trade of tropical forest resources.
Vienna Convention (Adopted on 22nd March, 1985)	Multilateral Environmental Agreement	It is a multilateral environmental agreement that provided frameworks for international reductions in the production of chlorofluorocarbons due to their contribution to the destruction of the ozone layer, resulting in an increased threat of skin cancer
World Charter for Nature (1982)	United Nation	It proclaims five “principles of conservation by which all human conduct affecting nature is to be guided and judged.” Nature shall be respected and its essential processes shall not be impaired. The genetic viability on the earth shall not be compromised; the population levels of all life forms, wild and domesticated, must be at least sufficient for their survival, and to this end necessary habitats shall be safeguarded. All areas of the earth, both land and sea, shall be subject to these principles of conservation; special protection shall be given to unique areas, to representative samples of all the different types of ecosystems and to the habitats of rare or endangered species. Ecosystems and organisms, as well as the land, marine and atmospheric resources that are utilized by man, shall be managed to achieve and maintain optimum sustainable productivity, but not in such a way as to endanger the integrity of those other ecosystems or species with which they coexist. Nature shall be secured against degradation caused by warfare or other hostile activities.
Nairobi Declaration (1982)	International conference	It was adopted at Nairobi for celebrating the 10thAnniversary of the Stockholm conference on human Environment in 1972. It envisaged the creation of a special commission to frame long term environment strategies for achieving sustainable developments upto the year 2000 and beyond.
World Conservation Strategy (1980)	IUCN	It set out fundamental principles and objectives for conservation worldwide, and identified priorities for national and international action.
Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) or Bonn Convention (1979 It came into force in 1983)	United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP)	It provides a global platform for the preservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats as a United Nations environmental treaty. Convention has two Appendices: Appendix I lists migratory species that are endangered or threatened with extinction. Appendix II lists migratory species which have an unfavourable conservation status and which require international agreements for their conservation and management.
UN World Water Conference (1977)	United Nation	The Conference took place after a 46-year. It coincided with the evaluation of the implementation of the UN Decade of Action for Water and Sanitation. (2018-2028). The evaluation was prompted by the reality that we are not on pace to fulfil the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) no. 6 for water: "Ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all." The subject was "Our watershed moment: uniting the world for water." The first water conference was conducted in 1977 at Mar de Plata, Argentina. It culminated in the first worldwide 'Action Plan,' which stated that "all peoples have the right to drinking water in quantities and of adequate quality to meet their basic needs."
The Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network (TRAFFIC) (Founded in 1976)	Joint programme of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)and IUCN Complimentary to CITES	It is a non-governmental organisation working globally on trade in wild animals and plants in the context of both biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. It investigates and analyses wildlife trade trends, patterns, impacts and drivers to provide the leading knowledge base on trade in wild animals and plants.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES) (1973, Entered into force in 1975)	International Agreement	It is an international agreement between governments to ensure that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species. The CITES works by subjecting international trade in specimens of selected species to certain controls. All import, export, re-export and introduction from the sea of species covered by the Convention has to be authorized through a licensing system. Each Party to the Convention must designate one or more Management Authorities in charge of administering that licensing system and one or more Scientific Authorities to advise them on the effects of trade on the status of the species. Appendices I, II and III to the Convention are lists of species afforded different levels or types of protection from over-exploitation. It is legally binding on the Parties
United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (1972)	International conference	It was the first world conference to make the environment a major issue. The participants adopted the Stockholm Declaration and Action Plan for the Human Environment and several resolutions. It marked the start of a dialogue between industrialized and developing countries on the link between economic growth, the pollution of the air, water, and oceans and the well-being of people around the world. One of the major results of the Stockholm conference was the creation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The World Heritage Convention (1972)	International convention	It recognizes the way in which people interact with nature, and the fundamental need to preserve the balance between the two. It defines the kind of natural or cultural sites which can be considered for inscription on the World Heritage Listed Under UNESCO
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) (1972)	It is an UN agency HQ : Nairobi, Kenya	It was founded as a result of the UN Conference on the Human Environment (Stockholm Conference) UNEP has also been active in funding and implementing environment related development projects UNEP has aided in the formulation of guidelines and treaties on issues such as the international trade in potentially harmful chemicals, transboundary air pollution, and contamination of international waterways The International Cyanide Management Code, a program of best practice for the chemical’s use at gold mining operations, was developed under UNEP’s aegis.
Ramsar Convention (1971 Came into force in 1975)	International convention	The objective of the mission is to conserve and use all wetlands wisely through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world. The convention works on three pillars that define the purpose of the Ramsar Convention: Wise Use: To work towards the wise use of all wetlands List of Wetlands of International Importance: Designate suitable wetlands under the Ramsar List to effectively manage those International Cooperation: To bring cooperation internationally over the transboundary wetlands, shared wetland systems and shared species.
World Wide Fund for Nature (Founded on 29th April 1961)	Its precursor organisation was the Conservation Foundation. Its original name was World Wildlife Fund. WWF Headquarters – Gland, Switzerland.	It is an international non-profit organisation dedicated to the preservation and conservation of nature and its different species. It is the world’s biggest conservation organisation. It supports more than 1000 projects all over the world. It works in the field of wilderness preservation, and the reduction of humanity’s footprint on the environment.
World Mmetrological Organisation (WMO) (Established by the ratification of the WMO Convention on 23rd March 1950)	It is an intergovernmental organisation with a membership of 192 Member States and Territories. India is a member of WMO.	WMO provides a framework for international cooperation in the development of meteorology and operational hydrology and their practical application.
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (Founded in 1948)	IUCN has observer and consultative status at the United Nations	It is involved in data gathering and analysis, research, field projects, advocacy, lobbying and education. HQ : Gland, Switzerland Over the past decades, IUCN has widened its focus beyond conservation ecology and now incorporates issues related to gender equality, poverty alleviation and sustainable business in its projects. It publishes the IUCN Red List which assesses the conservation status of species worldwide.
International Whaling Commission (Signed in Washington, 1946)	Intergovernmental organisation	In 1982 the IWC adopted a moratorium on commercial whaling. Japan, Russia etc. oppose this moratorium Aims to provide for the proper conservation of whale stocks and thus make possible the orderly development of the whaling industry The IWC allows non-zero whaling quotas for aboriginal subsistence and also member nations may issue designate specific areas as whale sanctuaries; prohibit the capture of suckling calves and female whales accompanied by calves.
Birdlife International (1922)	It is the world's largest conservation partnership for conservation of birds and their habitats. It was earlier known as International Committee for Bird Preservation	It publishes a quarterly magazine, World Birdwatch, which contains recent news and authoritative articles about birds, their habitats, and their conservation around the world. It is the official Red List authority for birds, for the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It also published important bird areas (IBA) inventory.

Conclusion

International conferences, conventions, NGOs and laws on Environment depend on the wellbeing of its people, and active involvement must result in surrender to monocracy. This may harm the ecosystem and produce ecological imbalance. Affirmative judicial actions and legal activities, notwithstanding adversarial concerns, are essential to educate environmental law. Human existence is dependent on crises of harmful levels of pollution. It is critical to emphasise the importance of achieving growth in the economic and social well-being of people all over the world within the framework of a sustainable development base.

FAQs

Question: What is the Minamata Convention?

Answer:

The Minamata Convention on Mercury is an international environmental convention aimed at safeguarding human health and the environment from the negative effects of mercury and its derivatives. It focuses on certain human activities that contribute to widespread mercury contamination. The adoption of this Convention is intended to minimise mercury pollution over the next few decades. It is a United Nations treaty administered by the United Nations Environment Programme. (UNEP).

Question: What is the Global Climate Fund?

Answer:

The Global Climate Fund (GCF) was established to assist developing nations with climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts. The notion was first mentioned in the Copenhagen Accord in CoP-15. Formally in Cancun for CoP-16. The World Bank has been appointed as the fund's provisional trustee.

Question: What is the Ramsar Convention?

Answer:

The Ramsar Convention, commonly known as the Wetland Convention, is an environmental treaty signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. The discussions for this treaty began in the 1960s in order to safeguard internationally significant wetlands and encourage their sustainable usage. The Ramsar Convention entered into force in 1975. There will be 49 Ramsar areas under the Wetland Convention by 2022.

UPSC Mains Practice Question: 1. Should the pursuit of carbon credits and clean development mechanisms set up under UNFCCC be maintained even though there has been a massive slide in the value of a carbon credit? Discuss with respect to India’s energy needs for economic growth. (UPSC 2014) 2. What are the main recommendations of the Montreal Protocol to protect the Ozone layer? What are the implications for India of the latest convention held at London? (UPSC 1990)

MCQs

Question: The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), a UN mechanism to assist countries transition towards greener and more inclusive economies, emerged at (UPSC 2018)

(a) The Earth Summit on Sustainable Development 2002, Johannesburg.

(b) The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development 2012, Rio de Janeiro.

(d) The World Sustainable Development Summit 2016, New Delhi

Answer: (b) See the Explanation

Rio+20 (the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development) took place in Brazil in 2012.
The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (FAGE) was established in 2013 in response to the Rio+20 appeal to assist nations seeking to start on greener and more equitable economic paths.
PAGE is a UN body for coordinating green economy initiatives and assisting nations in implementing and monitoring the upcoming Sustainable Development Goals.
Initially, four UN bodies, including the ILO, UN Environment, UNIDO, and UNITAR, joined together to give nations comprehensive and targeted assistance.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Question: Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2017)

Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) to reduce Short Lived Climate Pollutants is a unique initiative of the G20 group of countries.
The CCAC focuses on methane, black carbon and hydrofluorocarbons.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (b) See the Explanation

In 2012, the governments of Bangladesh, Mexico, Sweden, Ghana, Canada, and the United States joined forces with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to launch efforts to address short-lived climate emissions as a joint and pressing issue.
They established the Climate & Clean Air Coalition to advocate for immediate action on climate change, agricultural security, public health, and energy economy. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
After carbon dioxide, the most significant contributors to the man-made global greenhouse effect are short-lived climate pollutants such as methane, tropospheric ozone, black carbon, and hydrofluorocarbons. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
They contribute up to 45% of present global heat.
If no action is made to limit these pollutants' emissions, they are anticipated to cause half of the warming caused by human activities.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

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