Successful application of environmental agreements in local communities: perspectives from environment and pollution control agreements in Japan

This chapter has three aims. The first is to investigate the reasons why EPCAs have been regarded as an essential tool for local communities, based on the author’s empirical research in Japan. The second aim is to gain an insight into the process of negotiation between stakeholders, which will help to explain the success of EPCAs. Third, the strengths and weaknesses of EPCAs will be described, focusing on their flexibility and ability to respond promptly to new situations. This chapter concludes by examining the features that contribute to the success of EPCAs.