Planetary boundaries and international environmental treaties

how does international environmental law embrace the transformations of the Earth System?

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15448/2178-5694.2024.1.46552

Keywords:

Planetary boundaries, Multilateralism, International environmental politics.

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between the scientific consensus on global environmental challenges and the political consensus, established through international agreements, to address these issues. The research maps international environmental treaties signed since 1920, categorizing them in relation to planetary boundaries. This framework was developed in 2009 in the ecological sciences to quantitatively assess the impact of human activities on Earth systems. The methodology employed in this article involved the selection and content analysis of environmental treaties. Given the need to intensify multilateralism to address these environmental challenges, the research concludes that integrating the contributions of planetary boundaries into the political consensus will need action by stakeholders in international environmental policy. There is a need to recognize the differences in the languages of ecological sciences and international politics to facilitate enhanced dialogue.

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Author Biographies

Jéssica Duarte, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

Graduated in Energy Engineering from UFRGS and ingénieur diplomé from IMT Mines Alès. Master in international policies from PPGEEI – UFRGS. Member of the Research Group on International Relations and Environment (GERIMA).

Alice da Cruz Busatto, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

Graduated in the Integrated Technical Course of Informatics from the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rio Grande do Sul, Charqueadas Campus. Undergraduate in International Relations at UFRGS. Scientific Initiation Scholarship holder of the Research Group in International Relations and Environment (GERIMA-UFRGS).

Laura Brusso Rossi, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

Undergraduate in International Relations at UFRGS, Scientific Initiation scholarship holder of the Research Group in International Relations and the Environment (GERIMA-UFRGS).

Thales Jéferson Rodrigues Schmitt, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

Graduated in International Relations (UFRGS) and currently studying for a Master's degree in International Strategic Studies (PPGEEI-UFRGS). Member of the Research Group on International Relations and the Environment (GERIMA).

Veridiana Dalla Vecchia, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

Journalist, master in Communication and Information (UFRGS) and PhD in International Strategic Studies (UFRGS). Member of the Research Group on International Relations and the Environment (GERIMA).

Leo Evandro Figueiredo dos Santos, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

PhD in International Strategic Studies (PPGEEI) from UFRGS and researcher linked to GERIMA-UFRGS.

Veronica Korber Gonçalves, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil and University of Brasilia, Brasilia, DF, Brazil.

Professor of the Undergraduate Course in International Relations and the Postgraduate Program in International Strategic Studies (PPGEEI). Leader of the Research Group in International Relations and the Environment (GERIMA). PhD in International Relations (UnB), Master in Law (UFSC) and Political Sociology (UFSC). Graduated in Law (UFSC).

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Published

2024-10-01

How to Cite

Duarte, J., Busatto, A. da C., Rossi, L. B., Schmitt, T. J. R., Vecchia, V. D., dos Santos, L. E. F., & Gonçalves, V. K. (2024). Planetary boundaries and international environmental treaties: how does international environmental law embrace the transformations of the Earth System?. Conversas & Controvérsias, 11(1), e46552. https://doi.org/10.15448/2178-5694.2024.1.46552

Issue

Section

Interdisciplinary Challenges in the Era of Climate Change