Environmental Conventions Index: Measuring and explaining the implementation of global environmental conventions

Environmental conventions are created to address global environmental problems. Assessments of the achievement of environmental goals, however, indicate that there is room for progress and for stronger collective action. There are, however, no systematic empirical instruments to measure implementation and to determine the factors behind countries’ results. It is therefore necessary to expand existing analytical frameworks and data on environmental conventions and their role as global governance instruments. This study develops an empirical instrument–the Environmental Conventions Index– to assess the implementation of these conventions and to track main trends for countries and conventions. Using a mixed methods approach, it analyzes the implementation of six conventions in three clusters–pollution, conservation and heritage–by all member states and illustrates trends over time (15 years). The study also examines the underlying reasons for countries’ performance and explains the governance mechanisms of the environmental agreements. As the international community is at a crossroads in the solution of global challenges and the implementation of sustainable development, countries’ commitment to international environmental goals should occupy center stage. Understanding how obligations are being implemented will strengthen global governance and contribute to the creation of capacity building mechanisms that would eventually result in improved solutions to environmental problems.