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Problems of Environmental Cooperation in Northeast Asia: The Case of Acid Rain
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Abstract
Chapter 10 supports and expands on the findings of preceding chapters with a case study of efforts to address the problem of acid rain in Northeast Asia. Wakana Takahashi points out that regional initiatives to combat acid rain in Northeast Asia have not been as successful as similar efforts in other regions. In fact, progress has been slow. As a basis for understanding the Northeast Asian efforts, this chapter first exposes the deficiencies of the cooperative mechanisms as a whole by surveying existing and ongoing major multilateral environmental program and plans, and by examining the actors involved. The chapter reviews major cooperative activities on acid rain and other environmental issues, and analyzes how the weaknesses and inadequacies of environmental cooperation mechanisms have influenced and hindered the progress of cooperation on acid rain. The chapter then considers whether and how regional cooperation on the acid rain issue may be promoted in Northeast Asia. Takahashi shows that there are institutional and political barriers to further cooperation. The question is whether and how the region can escape the existing stagnation.
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The key to improving the situation, according to Takahashi, lies in increased activity by international and nongovernmental organizations. Among other recommendations for improving international environmental cooperation on acid rain in the region are involvement of scientists and their epistemic communities, and ensuring that the research findings of high-quality international projects are reflected in regional policy-making processes. Although Northeast Asia needs to create a framework in which all parties in the region can participate, this cannot be easily achieved due to the political sensitivities and the security situation in this region. Only nongovernmental organizations can remedy this deficiency for the time being, according to Takahashi. At the same time, states in the region must improve their diplomatic relations and skills to handle the complex and difficult problems of different political systems and perspectives. This is particularly true for Japan and South Korea. Although the two countries have much in common (e.g., they are both willing to promote and lead various environmental initiatives), they are presently working in different directions, resulting in parallel institutions and policy stagnation. Both states need to develop strategies for regional cooperation that incorporate their own and other state's interests, as well as the common interests of the region. To be sure, states in the region are paying more attention to, and strengthening national laws and regulations on, controlling air pollution and acid rain. And a large amount of environmental investment toward this end has been given to China through both official development assistance and foreign private investment. Considering these facts, it might be said that a significant degree of collaboration has already taken place on the issue of acid rain in Northeast Asia. However, much of this collaboration is undertaken in a fragmented manner. Therefore, the region needs to form links between individual initiatives and financial mechanisms, between bilateral and multilateral aid programs, between donor agencies, and between regional cooperative institutions and financial aid mechanisms.