International Environmental Traties and Causes of (In)efficiency

Abstract

In the contemporary literature dealing with international environmental law a significant number of papers is devoted to criticism on account of efficiency of international environmental treaties. The purpose of this paper is to show the various factors and causes of (in) efficiency of these international treaties. In the first part of paper the importance of international environmental treaties, as a source of law, is emphasized. Other sources of the international environmental law are pointed out, too. In the main part of the paper methodological issues and criteria for measurements of effectiveness and the causes of (in) efficiency of international environmental treaties are discussed. Paper provides an overview of the problems that affect the achievement of goals. Some international treaties which achieved the prescribed objectives, as well as some which did not meet the objectives are mentioned. It is noted that there are several different factors that determine the possibilities of achieving the goals of international environmental treaties.