Implementation of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) in Ethiopia

Degefa, Ashenafi Haile (2015) Implementation of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) in Ethiopia. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.

PDF (Implementation of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) in Ethiopia) Degefa, Ashenafi Haile.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (929kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

The development of international environmental law has been part of a larger transformation in the subject matter of international law. In the twentieth century, international law expanded in two directions to include (1) how states treat their own citizens (i.e., human rights law) and (2) how states and other international actors cooperate to achieve common ends such as economic development and social welfare. The development of international environmental law has been part of this second transformation and is founded on the common interest of humankind in protecting the natural environment. On the international level the United Nations Conference on Human Environment held in Stockholm in 1972, the Stockholm Declaration contains 26 principles, an action plan consisting of 109 separate recommendations, and a resolution dealing with institutional and financial arrangements, the 1987 Brundtland Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development which reexamined environmental and development issues. And the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) that was held in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 Thus, the UNCED adopted the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, Agenda 21 (a blueprint for managing the environment in the 21st century), the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and a statement of principles on forests which are the major events and agreements concerning environmental issues and development. As a member of the international community Ethiopia has been part of several policies and binding legal instruments on environmental issues. Ethiopia has adopted and ratified many multilateral environmental agreements; which according to the FDRE Constitution become integral part of the law of the land. In terms of geographical location, Ethiopia is situated in the northern part of the tropical zone, with extreme variety in the altitude of its territory. It has different rainfall patterns, and a wide variety of biological diversity. The country’s topography includes extremely low elevations such as Dalol which is at 110 meters below sea level and on the opposite end of the spectrum, Mount Ras Dashen 4,620 meters above sea level. The Ethiopian economy is predominantly based on agriculture, which constitutes about 50 per cent of the GDP and 90 per cent of exports as well as 84 per cent of total employment.8 However, the state has been trying to transform its agrarian economy to an industrial one and has been undertaking preliminary projects targeted to bring to such a transformation. Furthermore, due to the market liberalization since 1991, private capital has increasingly been invested in some modest industries and agro-industry sectors. Needless to say that these and other similar development interventions have had important repercussions on the environment.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences J Political Science > JA Political science (General) J Political Science > JX International law
Divisions:	Africana
Depositing User:	Tim Khabala
Date Deposited:	24 May 2018 14:19
Last Modified:	24 May 2018 14:19
URI:	http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/4060

Actions (login required)

View Item