Many factors enter into the making of international environmental policy.
An environmental problem is usually identified by the scientific community and is brought to the attention of the public and government by NGOs and the media. The science is debated and the economic and legal implications are assessed as individual governments and the international community decide whether or not a particular issue will be addressed. Many complex legal and cultural factors come into play at every stage as policy prescriptions evolve and negotiations ensue. Finally, an international agreement may be reached which becomes part of the international legal regime. At the present time, more than 900 bilateral and multilateral environmental treaties are in force.