Abstract

This study focuses on the involvement of non-Party observers, primarily NGOs, within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the ways in which environmental norms help to promote acts of coordination among them. It is my expectation that the more established a norm is, the more likely it is to inspire meaningful acts of coordination among environmental NGOs, which will in turn enhance their legitimacy in the eyes of the Parties to the UNFCCC. A review of the relevant literature on norm evolution, framing, transnational advocacy coalition building, and the role of NGOs in international politics helps to establish my argument. I then explain how I designed my in-depth case study of the UNFCCC and the ways in which I operationalized norm establishment, interorganizational coordination, and legitimacy. I relied heavily on primary documents, media reports, and other case studies to help support my argument. I conclude that the establishment of norms does have a positive effect on coordination among ENGOs and their ability to affect international policy decisions, but it is difficult to discern the magnitude. A few issues related to my research, namely access to documents and involved actors, highlight areas of improvement for further case studies on similar subjects.

Advisor

Krain, Matthew

Department

Political Science; Global and International Studies

Disciplines

Environmental Studies

Publication Date

2019

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2019 Ethan Scully