Chapter 2: An Overview of International Natural Resources Policies and Laws

The world’s natural resources are threatened by a range of factors. These risks are especially felt by the most vulnerable in society. This chapter provides an overview of key global policies and national laws that address the challenges faced by the unsustainable consumption of natural resources. It outlines key international organisations, such as the United Nations and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, as well as policies such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The chapter concludes by examining some of the approaches that have been employed in various countries to successfully implement natural resources legislation.