State Delegations and the Influence of COP Decisions

Goodwin, Edward J

Abstract

This paper concerns the likelihood that decisions adopted at plenary meetings of the parties to multilateral environmental agreements will influence the behaviour of States Parties. Relying upon a theory emphasising the importance of rational persuasion of decisions and the legitimacy of decision-making processes, the paper explains how choices concerning the preparation of delegates and then participation of delegations at plenary meetings of the parties to environmental treaties might enhance the likelihood of those decisions having a positive effect upon the actions of States Parties. This is done using a case study of the UK delegation to a recent meeting of the parties to the 1971 Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. That case study also provides examples of potentially positive modalities adopted by the UK, whilst also revealing suspected concerns for the future surrounding retention of experienced delegates and the impact of Brexit.

Citation

Goodwin, E. J. (2019). State Delegations and the Influence of COP Decisions. Journal of Environmental Law, 31(2), 235-263. https://doi.org/10.1093/jel/eqz007

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 16, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Apr 1, 2019
• Publication Date: Jul 1, 2019
• Deposit Date: Apr 18, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 2, 2021
• Journal: Journal of Environmental Law
• Print ISSN: 0952-8873
• Electronic ISSN: 1464-374X
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 31
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 235-263
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jel/eqz007
• Keywords: Law; Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/920194
• Publisher URL: https://academic.oup.com/jel/article/31/2/235/5424092
• Additional Information: This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in Journal of Environmental Law following peer review. The version of record Edward J Goodwin, State Delegations and the Influence of COP Decisions, Journal of Environmental Law, Volume 31, Issue 2, July 2019, Pages 235–263, https://doi.org/10.1093/jel/eqz007 is available online at: https://academic.oup.com/jel/article/31/2/235/5424092