THE CHALLENGES OF THE ANTHROPOCENE: FROM INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS TO GLOBAL GOVERNANCE

FRANCHINI, MATÍAS; VIOLA, EDUARDO; BARROS-PLATIAU, ANA FLÁVIA

doi:10.1590/1809-4422ASOC214V2022017

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Articles • Ambient. soc. 20 (03) • Jul-Sep 2017 • https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-4422ASOC214V2022017 copy

THE CHALLENGES OF THE ANTHROPOCENE: FROM INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS TO GLOBAL GOVERNANCE

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

Abstract :

This article proposes a reflection on the challenges of global environmental policy in the Anthropocene. Firstly, the inconsistency between the institutions of international environmental policy and the progressive degradation of the planetary boundaries is highlighted.

Secondly, it is stated that, since the transition to Anthropocene requires the conscious construction of a new space of safe operation for humanity, it is necessary to radically modify the institutional structure of cooperation, based on international regimes: the transition from environmental politics to global governance. The fundamental milestone of this path is the overcoming of the international system of conservative hegemony, that is, the abandonment of the sovereignist tendencies - egotistical and short-term - on the part of its actors, particularly the great powers.

Finally, a series of premises for the governance of the Anthropocene is proposed from the point of view of International Relations, with the post-sovereign transition as the main pillar.

Key words :
Global Environmental Governance - Anthropocene - International Environmental Politics - Planetary Boundaries - International Relations.

Boundary	Instrument	Year	Goal	Outcome
ClimateChange	UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)	1992	The stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system	Failure: global emissions grew fast enough to transgress the boundary, making dangerous climate change almost unavoidable¹
	Kyoto Protocol	1997	Annex 1² countries have an average emission reduction target of 5.2% by 2012 relative to 1990 levels.	Most countries met the target.
	Kyoto Protocol 2	2012	Average emission reduction target of 18% in 2020 compared to 1990.	Minimum relevance: participating countries account for only about 12% of global emissions.
	Paris Agreement	2015	Reduce global GHG emissions, with the participation of all countries, but without a specific mitigation target.	Each country has committed mitigation targets for 2030, which are insufficient to stabilize the system. There are no enforcement or monitoring mechanisms for national targets.
Ozone Layer	Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer	1985	To protect human health and the environment against adverse effects resulting or likely to result from human activities which modify or are likely to modify the ozone layer (Art. 2)	Success: progressive reduction of CFC (Chlorofluorocarbons) emissions.
Ozone Layer	Montreal Protocol	1987	Control emissions of ozone-depleting substances	Success: progressive reduction of CFC (Chlorofluorocarbons) emissions.
Biodiversity	Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)	1973	Trade must be subject to particularly strict regulation in order not to endanger further their survival and must only be authorized in exceptional circumstances (Art. 2).	Heterogeneous impact on various regions of the world and significant increase in the visibility of the problem.
	Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)	1992	Conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits derived from the utilization of genetic resources.	Failure: The biodiversityboundary has been surpassed to the point where humanity is creating the sixth mass extinction in Earth’s history.
	Nagoya Protocol	2010	Regulate access to genetic resources and the sharing of benefits derived from their utilization.	It entered into force in October 2014. The limited information available so far shows no progress in implementation.
Land-system change	UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)	1994	Combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought in countries affected by severe drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa	Ambivalent effects: The desertification process continued on a large scale, but in some regions there was positive change.
Chemical Pollution	Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants	2001	Eliminate and restrict the production and trade of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).	In force since 2004. The issue is one of extreme complexity and geographical heterogeneity. There is notyet a system ice valuation of effectiveness.
	Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal	1989	Control the movement of hazardous waste under the principles of prior and explicit consent for import, export and transit.	Success: the international trade in toxic waste progressively decreased and became more regulated and transparent.
	UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)	1982	It establishes the legal regime for seas and oceans, including protection and sanctions against pollution.	Failed: to date there has been no progress in reducing ocean pollution.

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