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Environmental cooperation: contrasting international environmental agreements

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  • Todd Sandler

Abstract

This conceptual paper investigates two paired environmental treaties. At the global level, the effectiveness of the Montreal Protocol on reducing ozone depleters is contrasted with the ineffectiveness of the Kyoto Protocol on curbing greenhouse gases (GHGs). Even though curbing ozone shield depletion and reducing GHGs are quintessential global public goods, the outcomes of these treaties are drastically different. This paper explores why. At the regional level, the success of the Helsinki Protocol on reducing sulfur emissions is contrasted with the slower and less profound success of the Sofia Protocol on limiting nitrogen oxides. These paired comparisons demonstrate how effective international cooperation transcends the properties of public goods, thereby encompassing other identified drivers. The paper also contrasts the regional and global paired treaties. Concluding remarks indicate some useful insights for designing effective international environmental agreements.

Suggested Citation

  • Todd Sandler, 2017. "Environmental cooperation: contrasting international environmental agreements," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 69(2), pages 345-364.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:oxecpp:v:69:y:2017:i:2:p:345-364.
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    Cited by:

    1. Wolfgang Buchholz & Keisuke Hattori, 2021. "A Paradox of Coalition Building in Public Good Provision," CESifo Working Paper Series 9354, CESifo.
    2. Bellelli, Francesco S. & Scarpa, Riccardo & Aftab, Ashar, 2023. "An empirical analysis of participation in international environmental agreements," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    3. Kęstutis Biekša & Violeta Valiulė & Ligita Šimanskienė & Raffaele Silvestri, 2022. "Assessment of Sustainable Economic Development in the EU Countries with Reference to the SDGs and Environmental Footprint Indices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-18, September.
    4. Tibor Besedeš & Erik P. Johnson & Xinping Tian, 2020. "Economic determinants of multilateral environmental agreements," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 27(4), pages 832-864, August.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F53 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - International Agreements and Observance; International Organizations
    • H87 - Public Economics - - Miscellaneous Issues - - - International Fiscal Issues; International Public Goods
    • Q50 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - General

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