Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
hypothetical situation of the absence of a regime, and Mitchell's econo-
metric approach depends heavily on the availability of data, which renders
it dii cult to apply. Therefore a new approach, which would take into
account both institutional and environmental parameters using comple-
mentary qualitative and quantitative techniques would be ideal to assess
the ef ectiveness of regimes.
Looking at the case of the Mediterranean Action Plan, the handful of
important studies on its ef ectiveness show a varied set of opinions, dem-
onstrating that assessing ef ectiveness depends primarily on dei ning the
criteria used for this process. Haas's prominent study on 'epistemic com-
munities' found the regime successful and argued enthusiastically that it
would introduce a new concept in international environmental cooperation.
His theory can provide a satisfactory explanation for the role of scientii c
groups in the creation of MAP, but its continued success was mostly politi-
cal. It remains highly questionable whether these scientii c groups are the
power behind its implementation, or if these groups are instigating such
processes in other international environmental regimes as well. On the
contrary, the study of Skjaerseth is more critical about the achievements
of MAP. Even though he recognizes its political contributions to coopera-
tion and its overall enhancement of general environmental awareness, he
notes that the desired change in behaviour of the actors is not very evident.
Finally, Kütting, distinguishing between institutional and environmental
ef ectiveness, concludes that unfortunately MAP was not successful in the
long term in either of the two aspects. According to her criteria, its only real
achievement is the instigation and continuation of a cooperation ef ort in
a politically very dii cult region of the world. Drawing from the previous
three studies, and their dif erent outcomes on the same case, it is essential
to dei ne ef ectiveness before any attempt to assess it.
Undoubtedly, for a scientist, only improvement of the environment is
the raison d'être of an environmental regime. However, the regime's insti-
tutional performance is equally important as an indirect way to achieve
this as a means to an end and not as an end per se. Hence, the institutional
and environmental aspects of ef ectiveness do not need to be separated,
but rather integrated in order to provide a holistic view. The need for an
interdisciplinary approach is the i rst and foremost rule in that respect. So
far academics that study environmental regime ef ectiveness have come
mainly from a political science background rather than a scientii c one.
On the other hand scientists might not rigorously research international
relations issues. 'Epistemic communities' drawing expertise from all dis-
ciplines and using both qualitative and quantitative methods of analysis
might prove useful in order to design and implement these regimes. For
instance, in the Mediterranean Action Plan the i rst question would be: is
