ABSTRACT
In the preparatory phase of the Montreal Protocol the participants found themselves in a deadlock: on the one side were countries willing to take action, on the other were countries against. Both based their positions on principled opinions, the precautionary and wait-and-see approach. How could the deadlock between the two camps be overcome? By 1987, industry representatives had lost their status in many delegations as unofficial spokespersons for their respective governments, while representatives from environmental organisations gained influence (Benedick 1991)—a clear sign that well-organised interests were on the decline and that diffuse interests were gaining more weight. When the formal negotiating meeting began on 1 December 1986, there were four environmental NGOs attending, as well as representatives from industry and business. During the second round in February 1987 there were more NGOs attending and even more during the April meetings. NGOs and the media demanded action.
