1. Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs)
Introduction

2. BACKGROUND What are MEAs ?
Many global environmental issues don’t stop at the border:
> they are caused by sources thousands of kilometers away;
> they can have a regional or even a global impact.
MEAs are international legal instruments that:
> have a goal of environmental protection (sustainable development);
> take measures to remedy, mitigate or otherwise deal with global and/or regional environmental concerns;
> are concluded between a large number of states or international organizations as Parties;
> can be embodied in a single instrument or more related instruments;
> are governed by international law;
> are concluded in written form.
Slide 3 – What are MEAs ?
Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA) are international agreements, between three or more countries (agreements between two countries are referred to as “bilateral agreements”) on how to jointly address environmental problems of cross-border nature. There exists a large number of examples of such cross-border environmental problems, including pollution of rivers and seas that are part of several countries (e.g. the Mediterranean sea or the Great Lakes in USA/Canada), and air pollution that is dispersed from one or several countries over several other countries (e.g. sulphur dioxide and dust from power plants in Europe).
Because of their cross-border nature, these kind of environmental problems often require action in several countries to be dealt with, and MEA provides the rules for what each country is required to do to deal with the problems.
The best known MEA are those that deals with global problems, affecting more or less all countries in the world. Among these are the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) with the Kyoto Protocol, the Stockholm Convention of elimination of persistent organic pollutants, and the Basel Convention of hazardous waste.
Key features of MEA include that:
- They have a specific aim to address one or several clearly defined environmental problems. Often the MEA also have secondary objectives to support other development goals, e.g. poverty reduction or sustainable development, so as to be more attractive.
- They are expressed in written form in a document that is approved (“ratified”) by the parliament (or similar) of each country
- That they are goverened by international law.

3. BACKGROUND Transboundary Problems
Transboundary environmental problems can be solved only by multilateral environmental agreements
Most UN Agencies work on transboundary issues using MEAs
Transboundary Environmental Issues
Multilateral Environmental Agreements
PROBLEM
SOLUTION
Slide 3 – What are MEAs ?
Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA) are international agreements, between three or more countries (agreements between two countries are referred to as “bilateral agreements”) on how to jointly address environmental problems of cross-border nature. There exists a large number of examples of such cross-border environmental problems, including pollution of rivers and seas that are part of several countries (e.g. the Mediterranean sea or the Great Lakes in USA/Canada), and air pollution that is dispersed from one or several countries over several other countries (e.g. sulphur dioxide and dust from power plants in Europe).
Because of their cross-border nature, these kind of environmental problems often require action in several countries to be dealt with, and MEA provides the rules for what each country is required to do to deal with the problems.
The best known MEA are those that deals with global problems, affecting more or less all countries in the world. Among these are the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) with the Kyoto Protocol, the Stockholm Convention of elimination of persistent organic pollutants, and the Basel Convention of hazardous waste.
Key features of MEA include that:
- They have a specific aim to address one or several clearly defined environmental problems. Often the MEA also have secondary objectives to support other development goals, e.g. poverty reduction or sustainable development, so as to be more attractive.
- They are expressed in written form in a document that is approved (“ratified”) by the parliament (or similar) of each country
- That they are goverened by international law.

4. BACKGROUND What are MEAs ? International legal instruments that:
have a goal of environmental protection
are concluded between a large number of states or international organizations as parties
concluded in written form
governed by international law
can be embodied in a single instrument or in two or more related instruments (framework agreements)
Slide 3 – What are MEAs ?
Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA) are international agreements, between three or more countries (agreements between two countries are referred to as “bilateral agreements”) on how to jointly address environmental problems of cross-border nature. There exists a large number of examples of such cross-border environmental problems, including pollution of rivers and seas that are part of several countries (e.g. the Mediterranean sea or the Great Lakes in USA/Canada), and air pollution that is dispersed from one or several countries over several other countries (e.g. sulphur dioxide and dust from power plants in Europe).
Because of their cross-border nature, these kind of environmental problems often require action in several countries to be dealt with, and MEA provides the rules for what each country is required to do to deal with the problems.
The best known MEA are those that deals with global problems, affecting more or less all countries in the world. Among these are the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) with the Kyoto Protocol, the Stockholm Convention of elimination of persistent organic pollutants, and the Basel Convention of hazardous waste.
Key features of MEA include that:
- They have a specific aim to address one or several clearly defined environmental problems. Often the MEA also have secondary objectives to support other development goals, e.g. poverty reduction or sustainable development, so as to be more attractive.
- They are expressed in written form in a document that is approved (“ratified”) by the parliament (or similar) of each country
- That they are goverened by international law.

5. Example: The “Big Three” MEAs
BACKGROUND
What are MEAs ?
Example: The “Big Three” MEAs
Climate Change: UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
Biodiversity: UN Convention on Biological Diversity
Desertification: UN Convention to Combat Desertification
Slide 3 – What are MEAs ?
Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA) are international agreements, between three or more countries (agreements between two countries are referred to as “bilateral agreements”) on how to jointly address environmental problems of cross-border nature. There exists a large number of examples of such cross-border environmental problems, including pollution of rivers and seas that are part of several countries (e.g. the Mediterranean sea or the Great Lakes in USA/Canada), and air pollution that is dispersed from one or several countries over several other countries (e.g. sulphur dioxide and dust from power plants in Europe).
Because of their cross-border nature, these kind of environmental problems often require action in several countries to be dealt with, and MEA provides the rules for what each country is required to do to deal with the problems.
The best known MEA are those that deals with global problems, affecting more or less all countries in the world. Among these are the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) with the Kyoto Protocol, the Stockholm Convention of elimination of persistent organic pollutants, and the Basel Convention of hazardous waste.
Key features of MEA include that:
- They have a specific aim to address one or several clearly defined environmental problems. Often the MEA also have secondary objectives to support other development goals, e.g. poverty reduction or sustainable development, so as to be more attractive.
- They are expressed in written form in a document that is approved (“ratified”) by the parliament (or similar) of each country
- That they are goverened by international law.
Climate Change
Biodiversity
Desertification

6. BACKGROUND Milestones in the evolution of MEAs
Stockholm Conference on the Human Development
> First attempt to address relationship between environment and development at global level;
> Adopted first global action plan for the environment;
> Established UNEP.
Rio Conference on Environment and Development
> National and international policies redirected towards integration of environmental, economic and social objectives;
> 2 main outputs: Rio Declaration and Agenda 21;
> Accelerated the development of modern MEAs: more than 60% of present MEAs established after 1992.
Slide 4 - Milestones in the evolution of MEAs
The early MEAs from the mid 20:th century were mainly sectoral agreements on how to exploit and share natural resources, and only had environmental protection as a secondary objective. , primarily focused on the exploitation and maintaining economic usefulness of natural resources, rather than at protection for their own sake.
The Stockholm Conference spurred development of modern MEAs. Modern MEAs are more holistic, system oriented and trans-sectoral agreements.
The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio (1992), was an important landmark for new generation of MEAs. The Conference adopted the Rio Declaration and Agenda 21, documents that set out principles and action plan for sustainable development and further stimulated development of MEAs addressing complex inter-linked environmental problems. Two UNCED Conventions (the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change) were the first agreements that clearly established interdependence of social, economic development.

7. BACKGROUND Number of parties to MEAs Stockholm Conference (1972)
Slide 5 - Number of parties to MEAs
Source: GEO Data Portal, compiled from MEA Secretariats
This slide shows the increasing numbers of parties (signatories) to some of the major global MEAs. It is noteworthy that there are today a little over 200 countries recognized by the UN. Many MEA have well over 50% of the countries in the world as members.
Today there are over 500 MEAs, of which around 320 are regional agreements. Nearly 60% are adopted after the UN Stockholm Conference (1972), an important milestone in history of MEAs. The Conference indicated that a majority of people had realized that industrialization and economic development were posing an ever-increasing threat to the global environment, and that complex environmental problems have to address multiple aspects of interaction of society and environment.
In the next slides an overview / classification is given of the types of MEAs we can distinguish
Stockholm Conference (1972)
Rio Conference (1992)

8. BACKGROUND A Sample of International MEAs
MEA = Multilateral Environmental Agreement
(for example, Kyoto Protocol)
Framework Convention on Climate Change
Convention on Biological Diversity
Convention to Combat Desertification
Montreal Protocol on substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
Convention on Wetlands (RAMSAR)
Law of the Sea
Forestry Principles
Basel Convention on Hazardous Wastes
Convention on prevention of Marine Dumping
Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution
International Tropical Timber Agreement
Slide 5 - Number of parties to MEAs
Source: GEO Data Portal, compiled from MEA Secretariats
This slide shows the increasing numbers of parties (signatories) to some of the major global MEAs. It is noteworthy that there are today a little over 200 countries recognized by the UN. Many MEA have well over 50% of the countries in the world as members.
Today there are over 500 MEAs, of which around 320 are regional agreements. Nearly 60% are adopted after the UN Stockholm Conference (1972), an important milestone in history of MEAs. The Conference indicated that a majority of people had realized that industrialization and economic development were posing an ever-increasing threat to the global environment, and that complex environmental problems have to address multiple aspects of interaction of society and environment.
In the next slides an overview / classification is given of the types of MEAs we can distinguish

9. BACKGROUND
Core MEAs
MEAs of global significance
negotiation, development or activities are associated with UN work
Shared Goal:
Sustainable Development
Cross-cutting issue:
pollution/waste management
Slide 5 - Number of parties to MEAs
Source: GEO Data Portal, compiled from MEA Secretariats
This slide shows the increasing numbers of parties (signatories) to some of the major global MEAs. It is noteworthy that there are today a little over 200 countries recognized by the UN. Many MEA have well over 50% of the countries in the world as members.
Today there are over 500 MEAs, of which around 320 are regional agreements. Nearly 60% are adopted after the UN Stockholm Conference (1972), an important milestone in history of MEAs. The Conference indicated that a majority of people had realized that industrialization and economic development were posing an ever-increasing threat to the global environment, and that complex environmental problems have to address multiple aspects of interaction of society and environment.
In the next slides an overview / classification is given of the types of MEAs we can distinguish

10. MAIN CLUSTERS Scope of MEAs: 5 topics CHEMICALS & HAZARDOUS WASTE
Slide 6 – Scope of MEAs
The core MEAs are basically divided into five categories based on the issue they primarily deal with. MEAs can be either self-contained conventions (working through annexes or appendixes) or operate as the framework conventions that can develop protocols for addressing specific subjects requiring more detailed and specialized negotiations (UNFCCC with the Kyoto protocol is an example of the latter).
The objectives and goals of MEA vary significantly even within a cluster. The common aspects include the sustainable development, the sustainable use of natural resources and the environment, or the protection of the environment in such a way as to ensure its sustainable use. None of the core environmental agreements are exclusively oriented to protection and conservation, but all of them share a common goal of sustainable development.
Assessment and management of pollution is also an important cross-cutting thematic issue, which cuts across the chemicals and hazardous waste conventions, some biodiversity-related conventions, and the regional seas conventions and related agreements. It means that all of those conventions in one or another way address the need for pollution prevention.
CHEMICALS & HAZARDOUS
WASTE
BIODIVERSITY
LAND
SEAS
ATMOSPHERE

11. MEA Clusters Biodiversity
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MEA Clusters
Biodiversity
Consists of MEAs related to protection and conservation of biodiversity.
Main MEA - The Biodiversity Convention
Others include CITES, CMS, Ramsar Convention on Wetlands etc
Protection of biodiversity is directly relevant to pollution management and efficient use of resources,
Slide MEAs clusters: Biodiversity-related cluster
Protection of biodiversity is directly relevant to pollution management and efficient use of resources, and, therefore, to Cleaner Production as a strategy to minimise pollution. Although text of the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) – the key convention of the cluster – does not explicitly refer to Cleaner Production, it encourages one of Cleaner Production components - transfer of technologies “relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and do not cause significant damage to the environment”. Cleaner Production is also recognised as a key issue for implementation of the Convention in some areas, such as inland waters biodiversity: the Parties to CBD are requested to develop “preventative strategies such as Cleaner Production, continual environmental improvement, corporate environmental reporting, product stewardship and environmentally sound technologies to avoid degradation and promote restoration of inland water ecosystems” (CBD, COP-4, Decision IV/4).
BIODIVERSITY

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MEA Clusters
Land
MEAs focussing on protecting LAND from “negative altering”.
Includes –
UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
Other MEAs linked to climate change and biodiversity.
Slide MEAs clusters: Biodiversity-related cluster
Protection of biodiversity is directly relevant to pollution management and efficient use of resources, and, therefore, to Cleaner Production as a strategy to minimise pollution. Although text of the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) – the key convention of the cluster – does not explicitly refer to Cleaner Production, it encourages one of Cleaner Production components - transfer of technologies “relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and do not cause significant damage to the environment”. Cleaner Production is also recognised as a key issue for implementation of the Convention in some areas, such as inland waters biodiversity: the Parties to CBD are requested to develop “preventative strategies such as Cleaner Production, continual environmental improvement, corporate environmental reporting, product stewardship and environmentally sound technologies to avoid degradation and promote restoration of inland water ecosystems” (CBD, COP-4, Decision IV/4).
BIODIVERSITY

13. MEA Clusters Atmosphere
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MEA Clusters
Atmosphere
MEAs aimed at protection of atmosphere from pollutants. For example:
Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete Ozone Layer
The Paris Agreement to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
Implementation of the atmosphere cluster MEAs requires effective pollution management
Slide MEAs clusters: Athmosphere cluster
Several agreements of the cluster encourage Cleaner Production, including the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Under the Montreal Protocol, Cleaner Production strategies for safer alternatives are a cornerstone of compliance with the control measures to eliminate ozone-depleting substances. The Protocol requires information exchange on “possible alternatives to controlled substances, to products containing such substances, and to products manufactured with them”. Parties are also required to ensure transfer to the Parties in the need for assistance “the best available, environmentally safe substitutes and related technologies”. Implementation of the Protocol involved practical application of Cleaner Production, including UNIDO assistance in technology transfer and training on Cleaner Production.
The Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change – one of the most far-reaching agreements on environment and sustainable development affecting all sectors of the society – also strongly encourages Cleaner Production. It sets out the goals of reducing emission of the greenhouse gases that, without compromising economic or social needs, can be only achieved via Cleaner Production-based “win-win” strategies. There are merely no end-of-pipe technologies feasible for eliminating carbon dioxide emissions. The Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) will provide credit for financing emissions-reducing or emissions-avoiding projects in developing countries, and can become an efficient vehicle for transferring clean technologies and Cleaner Production practices.
ATMOSPHERE
SEAS

14. MEA Clusters Marine Environment
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MEA Clusters
Marine Environment
Conventions relevant to marine environment:
Law of the Sea
17 Regional Seas Conventions and A number of Protocols on land-based sources of pollution of marine environment
Global Program of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities (GPA)
Most MEAs in the marine cluster are multi-sectoral agreements and target many different problems related to Oceans,
Slide MEAs Clusters: Marine Environment Cluster
Conventions relevant to marine environment represent the largest cluster of MEAs. It includes, among others, 17 Regional Seas conventions and action plans and the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities (GPA). GPA provides a conceptual and practical guidance for protection of marine environment from land-based sources of pollution, and is founded on “the precautionary, preventative and anticipatory approaches”. Actions recommended by GPA cover the most, if not all, components of Cleaner Production: policies aimed at encouraging prevention, use of substitutes for hazardous chemicals, use of BAT and BEP, Cleaner Production processes, etc.
The Regional Seas conventions and action plans are multi-sectoral agreements, most of which incorporate the precautionary principle and a high-priority aim to prevent and eliminate pollution of a respective sea as highest priority. They strongly emphasise the role of Cleaner Production in implementation through the provisions on implementation, including those on international co-operation and technological assistance. The subsequent to the Regional Seas protocols on land-based sources of pollution are in accordance with GPA’s mandate also contain provisions requiring applying Cleaner Production. The Contracting Parties are required, inter alia, to define pollution prevention criteria, promote environmental education and awareness on the need to prevent pollution, and implement programs of technological and scientific assistance with a view to preventing pollution.
SEAS

15. MEA Clusters Chemicals and Hazardous Wastes
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MEA Clusters
Chemicals and Hazardous Wastes
Deal with hazardous impacts of wastes and chemical pollution
Main treaties of the cluster:
Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal
Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade
Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
Slide MEAs clusters: Chemicals and hazardous waste cluster
The MEAs in this cluster are all dealing with management of pollution and are directly relevant to Cleaner Production. The main treaties of the cluster are the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). These Conventions are complemented by a number of other legal documents and regional agreements.
The Basel and Stockholm Convention are the most relevant to Cleaner Production treaties, both contain strong language on Cleaner Production. Those conventions are in details covered in the section 2 and 3 respectively of the present training kit. The Rotterdam Convention aims to contribute to environmentally sound use of chemicals. Thus, the treaty’s requirements on information exchange cover certain aspects of Cleaner Production, such as safer alternatives to the hazardous chemicals; cleaner technology, and developing infrastructure to manage chemicals throughout their life cycle.
The overview demonstrates that Cleaner Production is relevant to all Conventions of the cluster and, therefore, could not only contribute to the goals of each treaty, but also enhance synergies among them.
CHEMICALS & HAZARDOUS
WASTE

16. MEA Clusters Key Concepts Legally-binding agreements
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MEA Clusters
Key Concepts
Legally-binding agreements
set commitments in form of legally-binding targets and time-tables
Non-binding instruments
set out important issues and priorities, foster discussion and attention, and stimulate new thinking and development of legally-binding instruments
Legally Binding
Treaties
Conventions
Agreements
Protocols
Accords
Pacts
HARD LAW
Non- Legally Binding
Resolutions
Decisions
Declarations
Recommendations
Slide Key concepts
MEAs are seeking to change the behavior of target groups - for instance, traders of endangered species or generators of hazardous wastes - leading to improvement in state of environment.
Most of the core MEAs are legally-binding agreements, but there are non-binding, so called “soft law”, instruments (e.g. Global Program of Actions for Protecting Marine Environment from Land-Based Sources of Pollution). Non-biding instruments help to set out priorities and sometimes lead to development of consequent legally-binding MEAs.
MEAs are not self-executing and implemented via national legislation and regulatory measures. It is important to appreciate the meaning and difference of three key concepts pertaining to MEAs: implementation of a MEAs is “a long term process of converting international commitments and behavioral change of target groups, i.e. those actors causing the problem in question”. It means that to implement MEAs, Parties have to adopt their national legislation and undertake specific programs and activities. Sometimes there may not be adequate resources to do so.
Compliance with treaties refers to whether the countries in fact adhere to the agreements provisions and to the implementing measures that they have implemented, including procedural measures (e.g. national reporting) and substantive measures (e.g. actual elimination of POPs). Some MEAs cover complex activities that make monitoring and measuring compliance extremely difficult. In such cases, achieving compliance is a matter of developing self-implementing rules and incentives, because it is hard or virtually impossible to enforce compliance with such MEAs.
SOFT LAW

17. ORGANISATION From negotiation to ratification
How are MEA’s developed ?
> A negotiation process between countries involved;
> Often initiated and facilitated/moderated by UNEP;
> Resulting in a mutual agreed and signed protocol during a high-level tailored conference.
How do MEAs come into force ?
> Initial agreement (international legal instrument) are signed between the signatories (states);
> MEAs include provision on number of ratification from signatories needed to come into force;
> Once a country (or “Party”) ratifies, accepts, approves or accedes an MEA, it is subject to the provisions under the MEA.
Slide 9 - From negotiation to ratification
Development of MEA are time consuming. They are often triggered by concerned scientists that show initial evidence of the scale of the problem and policy debates. UNEP has often had a crucial role in bringing international consensus on the need to address the problems through MEA.
Countries normally become bound by the rules of the convention through the following process:
The country signs the convention, often by a government representative. This signals the intention of the country to become a member but is not yet binding for the country.
Then the Parliament (or equal elected body) of the country ratifies (approves the signing of) the convention, at what time the rules of the convention in principle becomes binding for the country.
However, in most MEAs a minimum number of countries have to ratify the convention before it comes into effect.
The Kyoto protocol is an outstanding example, where the convention was launched in 1997, was signed and ratified by a majority of countries by 1999, but only came into effect in 2005 when Russia ratified the protocol, bringing the amount of GHG emissions covered by the parties to the convention above a defined threshold for the convention to come into effect.
From initial agreement (signatories) towards legal binding commitment (ratification):

18. ORGANISATION How do MEAs work ? IMPLEMENTATION COMPLIANCE ENFORCEMENT
> Converting international commitments into national measures.
COMPLIANCE
> Countries adhere to the agreement provisions and undertake implementation measures (e.g. national reporting).
ENFORCEMENT
> Formal (national or international) procedures and actions by which compliance is compelled or noncompliance deterred.
Slide 11 – How do MEAs work ?
Highlight especially the translation of MEA’s into national measures (and national legislation)
1- IMPLEMENTATION
Process of converting international commitments and requirements into effective national measures (at least law and policy) in order to induce behavioral change of target groups, i.e. those actors causing the problem in question.
2- COMPLIANCE
Refers to whether the countries adhere to the agreement provisions and undertake implementation measures, including procedural measures (e.g. national reporting).
3- ENFORCEMENT
Formal (national or international) procedures and actions by which compliance is compelled or noncompliance deterred.
4- EFFECTIVENESS
Whether a MEA resolves a problem that caused its creation. Depending on, among others the broadness of the focus of the MEA, consensus amongst major players (related to the implication of requested changing of behavior) and existence of implementation tools and financial mechanisms.
The ‘weakest’ point of MEA’ is its limited power of enforcement; While countries do commit themselves when ratifying an MEA to meet certain goals set out in the MEA it is not always possible to translate these commitments to action at the national level. There are then two problems to address: What can the national government do to take action to comply with the MEA, and what can the international community do to put pressure on the national government to comply? International law leaves very limited options for the international community to enforce MEA, and most MEA are based on the assumptions that parties to the convention will do their outmost to meet their commitments. In some (rare) cases trade measures are taken to “punish” a country for not following the rules of the convention they have ratified.
Effectiveness of MEA’s is quite diverse, often depending on the existence of adequate measures / alternatives to comply with the targets, the implementation tools (does not require always regulatory but very important also financial !). A good example is the Montreal Protocol: which is an MEA with a very focused objective, has clear alternatives available, and excellent financial mechanism with strong multilateral support.
EFFECTIVENESS
> Whether a MEA resolves a problem that caused its creation.

19.   IMPLEMENTATION Strengths & weaknesses of MEA’s STRENGTHS
> Joint strategy to deal with global issues;
> Clearly defines who should do what;
> Conflict settlement instruments;
> Provides increased attention to preventive - precautionary approach.
WEAKNESSES 
> Lack of synergy among MEAs;
> Inadequate funding for many MEAs;
> Lack of performance indicators;
> Inadequate coordination among MEA’s at national level;
> No international enforcement mechanisms in most MEAs.
Slide 14 - Strengths and weaknesses of MEAs
In order to understand how Cleaner Production can improve effectiveness of MEAs, it is important to understand their current weaknesses and strengths.
Weaknesses (These are the generic and global weaknesses, each MEA has its specific weaknesses, and also each country has its own problems and barriers):
> Lack of cooperation among MEAs. Despite to the large number of existing MEAs, the desirable level of global environmental protection has not been achieved. Many MEAs have overlapping objectives and requirements, but often they work in isolation from each other and wider national policy framework, lack effective means of coordinating information and activities, or even simply communicating, with other actors. Finding synergies among MEAs, including synergies in capacity building efforts, scientific research, reporting requirements, data collection, etc, is the main task that global environmental governance is currently facing.
> Lack of coordination of MEAs at national level. Often a country is a party to numerous MEAs, but does not have capabilities and resources to implement them successfully. The implementation of some conventions is often spread out among different national institutions, sometimes resulting in conflicting priorities in national governments, and human and financial resources are often inadequate for implementation.
> Inadequate compliance and enforcement. Often MEAs are lacking mechanisms for monitoring and verification of compliance, and for enforcement of law. Compliance depends on a nation’s capability and willingness to comply, and a nation cannot be forced to follow environmental requirements unless it decides to do so itself. That is why more than ever attention is needed to providing positive incentives for compliance, ensure appropriate financiing, access to technical expertsise and skills within nations.

20. IMPLEMENTATION Problems with MEAs
While MEAs are legally binding, they suffer from the inability or unwillingness of Parties (or countries) to implement and enforce them:
lack of financial and human resources
the sheer volume and complexity of associated obligations and responsibilities
inconsistency in implementation regimes between countries,
and occasionally a lack of political will.
Slide 14 - Strengths and weaknesses of MEAs
In order to understand how Cleaner Production can improve effectiveness of MEAs, it is important to understand their current weaknesses and strengths.
Weaknesses (These are the generic and global weaknesses, each MEA has its specific weaknesses, and also each country has its own problems and barriers):
> Lack of cooperation among MEAs. Despite to the large number of existing MEAs, the desirable level of global environmental protection has not been achieved. Many MEAs have overlapping objectives and requirements, but often they work in isolation from each other and wider national policy framework, lack effective means of coordinating information and activities, or even simply communicating, with other actors. Finding synergies among MEAs, including synergies in capacity building efforts, scientific research, reporting requirements, data collection, etc, is the main task that global environmental governance is currently facing.
> Lack of coordination of MEAs at national level. Often a country is a party to numerous MEAs, but does not have capabilities and resources to implement them successfully. The implementation of some conventions is often spread out among different national institutions, sometimes resulting in conflicting priorities in national governments, and human and financial resources are often inadequate for implementation.
> Inadequate compliance and enforcement. Often MEAs are lacking mechanisms for monitoring and verification of compliance, and for enforcement of law. Compliance depends on a nation’s capability and willingness to comply, and a nation cannot be forced to follow environmental requirements unless it decides to do so itself. That is why more than ever attention is needed to providing positive incentives for compliance, ensure appropriate financiing, access to technical expertsise and skills within nations.

21. IMPLEMENTATION What can Environmental Policy do ?
What environmental policies can support implementation of MEAs?
> Policy advice;
> Technical and financial assistance;
> Assessment and management of pollution;
> Education and awareness;
> Information exchange;
> Strengthened participation of all stakeholders in the decision-making;
> International partnership.
Slide 16 - What Cleaner Production can do?
Implementation of most of the MEAs requires conducting a number of activities aimed at capacity building of Parties to implement international agreements: policy advice, technical and financial assistance, education and awareness, information exchange, strengthening stakeholders dialogue, and international partnership. Most of the existing Cleaner Production initiatives, in their turn, conduct similar activities with the aim to built capacities worldwide to apply preventative strategies.
As the most of MEAs and Cleaner Production share the same goal and tackle the cross-cutting issue of managing pollution, it is very logical to link also the cross-cutting capacity building activities under MEAs and Cleaner Production initiatives on capacity building. That will allow the most efficient use of limited resources available for environmental protection.

22. IMPLEMENTATION MEAs and SDGs – Climate Change
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere; prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system
GOAL 2: Zero Hunger
GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
GOAL 13: Climate Action
GOAL 14: Life Below Water
GOAL 15: Life on Land
GOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions
GOAL 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal
Slide 16 - What Cleaner Production can do?
Implementation of most of the MEAs requires conducting a number of activities aimed at capacity building of Parties to implement international agreements: policy advice, technical and financial assistance, education and awareness, information exchange, strengthening stakeholders dialogue, and international partnership. Most of the existing Cleaner Production initiatives, in their turn, conduct similar activities with the aim to built capacities worldwide to apply preventative strategies.
As the most of MEAs and Cleaner Production share the same goal and tackle the cross-cutting issue of managing pollution, it is very logical to link also the cross-cutting capacity building activities under MEAs and Cleaner Production initiatives on capacity building. That will allow the most efficient use of limited resources available for environmental protection.

23. IMPLEMENTATION MEAs and SDGs - Biodiversity
United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity
Conservation of biodiversity; sustainable use of natural resources; fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of natural resources
GOAL 1: No Poverty
GOAL 2: Zero Hunger
GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being
GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
GOAL 13: Climate Action
GOAL 14: Life Below Water
GOAL 15: Life on Land
GOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions
GOAL 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal
Slide 16 - What Cleaner Production can do?
Implementation of most of the MEAs requires conducting a number of activities aimed at capacity building of Parties to implement international agreements: policy advice, technical and financial assistance, education and awareness, information exchange, strengthening stakeholders dialogue, and international partnership. Most of the existing Cleaner Production initiatives, in their turn, conduct similar activities with the aim to built capacities worldwide to apply preventative strategies.
As the most of MEAs and Cleaner Production share the same goal and tackle the cross-cutting issue of managing pollution, it is very logical to link also the cross-cutting capacity building activities under MEAs and Cleaner Production initiatives on capacity building. That will allow the most efficient use of limited resources available for environmental protection.

24. IMPLEMENTATION MEAs and SDGs - Desertification
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
Combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought through national action programmes with support from UN and other international organizations
GOAL 1: No Poverty
GOAL 2: Zero Hunger
GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
GOAL 13: Climate Action
GOAL 15: Life on Land
GOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions
GOAL 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal
Slide 16 - What Cleaner Production can do?
Implementation of most of the MEAs requires conducting a number of activities aimed at capacity building of Parties to implement international agreements: policy advice, technical and financial assistance, education and awareness, information exchange, strengthening stakeholders dialogue, and international partnership. Most of the existing Cleaner Production initiatives, in their turn, conduct similar activities with the aim to built capacities worldwide to apply preventative strategies.
As the most of MEAs and Cleaner Production share the same goal and tackle the cross-cutting issue of managing pollution, it is very logical to link also the cross-cutting capacity building activities under MEAs and Cleaner Production initiatives on capacity building. That will allow the most efficient use of limited resources available for environmental protection.

25. Most important question to ask about MEAs:
IMPLEMENTATION
Core question
Most important question to ask about MEAs:
So What ??!
Slide 16 - What Cleaner Production can do?
Implementation of most of the MEAs requires conducting a number of activities aimed at capacity building of Parties to implement international agreements: policy advice, technical and financial assistance, education and awareness, information exchange, strengthening stakeholders dialogue, and international partnership. Most of the existing Cleaner Production initiatives, in their turn, conduct similar activities with the aim to built capacities worldwide to apply preventative strategies.
As the most of MEAs and Cleaner Production share the same goal and tackle the cross-cutting issue of managing pollution, it is very logical to link also the cross-cutting capacity building activities under MEAs and Cleaner Production initiatives on capacity building. That will allow the most efficient use of limited resources available for environmental protection.

26. So what is its impact on me?
IMPLEMENTATION
Core question
So What ??!
So what is happening?
So what can I do?
So what is its impact on me? 1 3 2
Slide 16 - What Cleaner Production can do?
Implementation of most of the MEAs requires conducting a number of activities aimed at capacity building of Parties to implement international agreements: policy advice, technical and financial assistance, education and awareness, information exchange, strengthening stakeholders dialogue, and international partnership. Most of the existing Cleaner Production initiatives, in their turn, conduct similar activities with the aim to built capacities worldwide to apply preventative strategies.
As the most of MEAs and Cleaner Production share the same goal and tackle the cross-cutting issue of managing pollution, it is very logical to link also the cross-cutting capacity building activities under MEAs and Cleaner Production initiatives on capacity building. That will allow the most efficient use of limited resources available for environmental protection.
LOCAL ACTION