APPLYING THE TINBERGEN RULE TO MULTILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS. Comparative case study on the effects of the Tinbergen rule on implementation and compliance of Multilateral Environmental Agreements.

Abstract

Multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) have a critical role in addressing global environmental challenges, yet their effectiveness depends on implementation and compliance. MEAs call for universal implementation and compliance among states to achieve their goals in tackling environmental issues. With different goals that they aim to address, multiple policy targets are defined in their policy design to achieve those goals. Dutch economist Jan Tinbergen, set a more economically efficient way to address the targets, by matching it with one policy instrument, i.e. the Tinbergen rule. The Tinbergen rule is more economically efficient and offers easier implementation and compliance. This thesis aims to contribute to the knowledge about the importance of policy design for the effectiveness of MEAs. Departing from the Tinbergen rule, this thesis also addresses the importance of Policy target design in MEAs. To achieve the aim of this thesis, a qualitative comparative case study is done on two conventions and two protocols. This thesis confirms that MEAs that follow the Tinbergen rule, with clearly defined targets and a structured reporting system, have higher implementation and compliance rates among states.