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

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