CSS Environmental Sciences Global Initiatives and Multilateral Agreements Syllabus

Global Initiatives and Multilateral Agreements syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Global Initiatives and Multilateral Agreements in CSS Environmental Sciences, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Biodiversity Conventions

   4 topics

   • Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
   • Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
   • CITES
   • Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)
2. 2

   Wetlands and Land Conventions

   2 topics

   • Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
   • UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
3. 3

   Atmosphere and Climate Treaties

   3 topics

   • UNFCCC
   • Kyoto Protocol
   • Montreal Protocol
4. 4

   Pakistan's Commitments

   2 topics

   • Multilateral Environmental Agreements Ratified by Pakistan
   • National Implementation and Reporting

Global Initiatives and Multilateral Agreements flashcards for CSS Environmental Sciences

23 of 51 cards from the Global Initiatives and Multilateral Agreements deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and when was it adopted and entered into force?

   A legally binding multilateral treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. It was opened for signature at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit (UNCED) and entered into force on 29 December 1993.

2. What are the three core objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)?

   (1) Conservation of biological diversity, (2) sustainable use of its components, and (3) fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources (access and benefit-sharing).

3. Name the two protocols adopted under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

   The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (2000) and the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing (2010).

4. What were the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, and under which framework were they set?

   A set of 20 targets under 5 strategic goals adopted in 2010 (Nagoya, COP-10) as the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 under the CBD, aimed at halting biodiversity loss.

5. What replaced the Aichi Targets after 2020 under the CBD?

   The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), adopted at COP-15 in 2022, including the '30x30' target to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030.

6. What is the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, and what does it regulate?

   A supplementary agreement to the CBD (adopted 2000, in force 2003) that governs the safe transfer, handling, and use of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs)/GMOs resulting from modern biotechnology, focusing on transboundary movement.

7. What key principle underpins the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety?

   The precautionary approach (precautionary principle), allowing countries to restrict imports of LMOs where there is insufficient scientific certainty about risks to biodiversity and human health.

8. What is the Advance Informed Agreement (AIA) procedure under the Cartagena Protocol?

   A procedure requiring exporters to notify and obtain prior consent from the importing country before the first intentional transboundary movement of an LMO intended for introduction into the environment.

9. What is the Biosafety Clearing-House (BCH) under the Cartagena Protocol?

   An information-exchange mechanism that facilitates the sharing of scientific, technical, environmental, and legal information on LMOs to assist Parties in implementing the Protocol.

10. What is CITES, and when did it enter into force?

    The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora; adopted in Washington in 1973 and entered into force on 1 July 1975. It regulates international trade to ensure it does not threaten species survival.

11. What do CITES Appendices I, II, and III each cover?

    Appendix I: species threatened with extinction; commercial trade prohibited. Appendix II: species not necessarily threatened but trade must be controlled. Appendix III: species protected in at least one country that has asked others for trade-control cooperation.

12. What permit system does CITES use to regulate trade?

    A system of import, export, re-export, and introduction-from-the-sea permits and certificates issued by national Management Authorities, with scientific input from Scientific Authorities.

13. What is the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), also known as the Bonn Convention?

    A UNEP treaty (adopted 1979, in force 1983) for the conservation of migratory species of wild animals and their habitats across national boundaries (terrestrial, aquatic, and avian migrants).

14. What do Appendices I and II of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) cover?

    Appendix I: endangered migratory species requiring strict protection. Appendix II: migratory species with unfavourable conservation status that would benefit from international cooperative agreements (e.g., AEWA).

15. Give one example of an agreement concluded under the CMS framework.

    The African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA); other examples include EUROBATS and the agreements on cetaceans (ACCOBAMS, ASCOBANS).

16. What is the Ramsar Convention, and when and where was it adopted?

    The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, adopted in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971 (in force 1975). It is the first modern global intergovernmental treaty on conservation and wise use of wetlands.

17. What is the central concept of the Ramsar Convention?

    The 'wise use' of wetlands, defined as maintaining their ecological character through sustainable, ecosystem-based management within the context of sustainable development.

18. What is the Ramsar List and the Montreux Record?

    The Ramsar List is the List of Wetlands of International Importance designated by Parties. The Montreux Record is a register of listed sites where ecological character has changed, is changing, or is likely to change due to human interference.

19. What criteria classify a wetland as internationally important under Ramsar?

    Nine criteria grouped into representative/rare wetland types and biodiversity importance, including the rule that a site qualifies if it regularly supports 20,000 or more waterbirds or 1% of a waterbird population.

20. What is the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and when was it adopted?

    A legally binding international agreement (adopted 1994, in force 1996) linking environment and development to sustainable land management, addressing desertification and drought, especially in Africa.

21. What is the central target/concept of the UNCCD post-2015?

    Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) — a state where the amount and quality of land resources remain stable or increase — linked to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15.3.

22. How is 'desertification' defined under the UNCCD?

    Land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various factors, including climatic variations and human activities.

23. What are the three 'Rio Conventions' that emerged from or are linked to the 1992 Earth Summit?

    The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

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