ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). Unlike other international policy fields such as trade, labor, or health, environmental problem solving is centered around a multiple number of multilateral environmental agreements and their institutions. Varying methodologies used for counting MEAs have resulted in different numbers, but many researchers and analysts agree that there is a proliferation of MEAs, constituting a key characteristic of the existing environmental governance system. One of the major reasons for utilizing the MEA approach to environmental problems arises from the very nature and complexity of the problems. Many of these MEAs have actually been effective at improving the environment by inducing states to change policies in a manner conducive to a cleaner environment. Generally speaking, the larger the number of MEAs, the more frequently they need to interact with each other. An MEA frequently influences the development and effectiveness of other MEAs, and in return, it is also influenced by other policy instruments.
