Download Negotiating Transgovernmentalization of Environmental

Negotiating in the context of a region
in conflict
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No direct dialogue
Different values and frames
Differences in narratives
Distrust
Lack of political support
Context of the Middle East
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Differences of religion
Differences of culture and language
Different levels of economic development
Different government structures and levels of
democracy
Different levels of freedom of the media
Little trade between the parties
Environmental issues
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Water, water, water
Spatial aspects of land
Supply of environmental infrastructure
Inadequate pollution control of industry
Marine and coastal management
Natural and cultural resource protection
Global environmental responsibilities
Drawbacks of an ‘island’ situation
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Management of shared resources eg. Aquifers
Cross boundary pollution, eg. Downstream
Protection of cross boundary habitats
Duplication of infrastructure
Barriers to cooperation
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Claims of historical rights
Allocation of blame
Claims for compensation
Lack of taking responsibility
Division by borders and fences
Neglect of frontier zones
Barriers to negotiation
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Lack of appropriate frameworks
Lack of common conceptual language
Internal opposition
Intensified distrust if previous agreement
failed to materialize
Role of transgovernmentalization
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Removes environment from political context
Transforms language to common professional
conceptual framework
Transforms attitudes to achieving common
goals
Allocates joint or separate responsibility
Encourages transparency and accountability
Opportunities for
transgovernmentalization at
government level
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International
Regional
Multi lateral
Bilateral
Role of facilitators
Role of donors
Opportunities for
transgovernmentalization outside
government
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Between local authorities
Through non governmental organizations
Through academic research
Through the private sector
Types of agreements
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Ratification of international conventions
Bilateral agreements
Decisions by international organiztions eg.
UNEP
Conditions on funding by investors or donors
Difficulties of implementation
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No real interest
Lack of resources
Lack of professional expertise
Lack of valid, accepted joint data base
Lack of contingency mechanisms
Lack of compliance mechanisms
Characteristics of a
transgovernmentalization
mechanism
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Trusted as neutral by both parties as above and
outside the conflict
Professional respect by the parties
Proactive, capable of introducing innovative
ideas and opportunities
Proactive in enabling implementation
Found (and lost) opportunities in the
Middle East
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Multilaterals (Madrid) included environment
working group (led by Japan)
EEC environmental experts committee under
the Israeli-Palestinian interim agreement
UNEP Desk study (see simulation exercise)
Jordan Rift Valley (under Jordan-Israel peace
agreement)
Missed opportunities in the Middle
East
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Barcelona Convention for Mediterranean
Jeddah convention for Red Sea
West Asia/WEOG regional groups in UN
Great Rift Valley in UNESCO and UNEP
Dead Sea – lowest park on earth