2. UNCLOS III
United Nations Conference on the Law of the
Sea
Opened for signature December 10, 1982 in
Jamaica
Entered into force November 16, 1994
Conditions for entry into force: 60 ratifications
Parties:158
United States has not ratified
1.15 statute miles equals 1 nautical mile
3. UNCLOS III
Territiorial Waters
Up to 12 nm from the
baseline
Coastal state is free to
set laws, regulate use,
use any resource
Foreign vessels given the
right of ‘innocent
passage’
Baseline refers to the low
water line along the coast
4. UNCLOS III
Contiguous Zone
State could continue to
enforce laws regarding
activities such as
pollution, customs,
taxation, smuggling or
illegal immigration for up
to 12 additional nm
6. UNCLOS III
Exclusive Economic Zone
200 miles from baseline
Coastal nation has sole
exploration and exploitation
rights over all natural
resources in water, seabed
and subsoil
fishing
oil
If the continental shelf lies
beyond 200 nm from shore,
the coastal state has
exclusive rights to the
resources up to 350 nm
away
7. UNCLOS III
Median Line Principle
When two countries lie
closer than 400 nautical
miles apart, the EEZ
boundary must be drawn
between the two
countries
Countries closer than 24
nm draw a median line
between each other’s
territorial waters
8. UNCLOS III
High Seas
Subject to UN management
US originally withheld approval because of this
Meant to provide landlocked states with rights to benefit
from Earth’s marine resources
9. What is a frontier?
A frontier is a zone where no state exercises
complete political control
Geographic area, not a boundary
Uninhabited or sparcely settled by a few
isolated pioneers seeking to live outside
organized society
10. The Antarctic Treaty
The main treaty was opened
for signature on December 1,
1959, and officially entered
into force on June 23, 1961.
The original signatories were
the 12 countries active in
Antarctica during the
International Geophysical Year
of 1957-58 and willing to
accept a US invitation to the
conference at which the treaty
was negotiated. These
countries were Argentina,
Australia, Belgium, Chile,
France, Japan, New Zealand,
Norway, South Africa, the
USSR, the United Kingdom
and the United States
11. The Antarctic Treaty
Area used for peaceful purposes only
Freedom of scientific exploration
Free exchange of information
Does not recognize territorial claims
Prohibits nuclear explosions or waste
Disputes to be settled peacefully or through
the International Court of Justice (UN)
Madrid Protocol (1991) bans mining and is up
for review in 2041
12. The Kyoto Protocol
“The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement
setting targets for industrialised countries to cut their
greenhouse gas emissions.”
TARGETED GASES
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Methane (CH4)
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4269921.stm
13. The Kyoto Protocol
The protocol was agreed to in 1997, based on principles set out in a
framework convention signed in 1992.
The Kyoto Protocol became a legally binding treaty on 16 February
2005. It could only come into force after two conditions had been
fulfilled:
It had been ratified by at least 55 countries
It had been ratified by nations accounting for at least 55% of
emissions 38 industrialised countries given targets for reducing
emissions
The first target was met in 2002. But following the decision of the
United States and Australia not to ratify, Russia's position became
crucial for the fulfilment of the second condition. It finally did ratify on
18 November 2004, and the Kyoto Protocol came into force 90 days
later - on 16 February 2005.
14. The Kyoto Protocol
US President George W Bush pulled out of
the Kyoto Protocol in 2001, saying
implementing it would gravely damage the
US economy.
His administration dubbed the treaty "fatally
flawed", partly because it does not require
developing countries to commit to emissions
reductions.
China and India are two of these countries
