Grantee Research Project Results

International Environmental Law and Diplomacy

EPA Grant Number: U915187
Title: International Environmental Law and Diplomacy
Investigators: Sievers, Eric W.
Institution: Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Yale Law School
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: January 1, 1997 through January 1, 2000
Project Amount: $102,000
RFA: STAR Graduate Fellowships (1997) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: Academic Fellowships , Environmental Justice , Fellowship - Environmental

Objective:

The objective of this research project is to develop a methodology for international environmental diplomacy based on existing academic materials and my own case studies of five Eurasian states (Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan).

Approach:

This project diverges from existing research in its historical, sociological, and anthropological emphases. In its primary phase, in addition to relying on legal literature, international negotiations, and information provided by government officials, this research depends heavily on: (1) personally examining materials and conducting interviews in each state in native languages such as Russian and Uzbek; (2) examining the role of local scientists in policy formation; and (3) attending to the efforts of indigenous nongovernment organizations.

The result of the primary phase of research will be detailed case studies of the policy development and political decision making behind each state's recent history of international environmental cooperation. The second stage will consist of answering the question of whether these and other case studies support the development of a general methodology. A final stage of additional fieldwork in an international environmental organization will be used to place results into the context of the needs and activities of the leading international environmental cooperation states and organizations.

Supplemental Keywords:

fellowship, international environmental diplomacy, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, environmental law, environmental policy., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Geographic Area, Economic, Social, & Behavioral Science Research Program, Economics & Decision Making, International, decision-making, Ecology and Ecosystems, Environmental Law, international law, legal and policy choices, policy analysis, policy making, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, environmental decision making, developing countries, public policy, Eurasian States, decision analysis, environmental policy, decision making, diplomacy, Kazakstan

Progress and Final Reports:

1997

1998

Final