In environmental matters, trans-boundary cooperation and liaison between the African governments and institutions is limited.

UNESCO: EARTH SCIENCES FOR SOCIETY

The new agreement also includes plans for closer cooperation on environmental matters, including carbon trading schemes.

BBC: Second open skies deal signed

Mr Cann, the North Devon councillor responsible for environmental matters, said better contingency plans were needed in the short-term.

BBC: Braunton 'needs more flooding solutions'

The NI assembly has had the power to regulate expeditions and environmental matters in Antarctica - and the Foreign Office wants it back.

BBC: Northern Ireland assembly to put Antarctic powers on ice

On environmental matters, the summiteers agreed to do more to conserve and restore fish stocks, in part by promising to guard ocean areas already designated as protected with 2015 chosen, once again, as the date for achieving success.

ECONOMIST: So what was achieved by ten days of talking?

Instead of encouraging farmers to produce ever more, regardless of demand, they are to be persuaded in line with current thinking in Brussels to tend to environmental matters, such as clipping hedges, clearing ditches, farming in organic ways and, wherever possible, preserving jobs.

ECONOMIST: Many French farmers still struggle to survive

International treaties constitute a major source of international law and are critical to establishing the respective rights and obligations of states in relation to many political, economic, military, environmental and other matters.

BBC: Scotland politics

But, as is often the case in such difficult matters, Congress left the hard work to the regulators: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was told to write rules describing exactly what steps developers had to take to gain this valuable liability protection.

FORBES: Buying Into Brownfields