• Typically a document is termed a treaty if signed by a small number of nations, and a convention if signed by many.
• Accords and agreements can describe almost any document, more or less important, multilateral or bilateral.
• A protocol is generally an addition or supplement to an already existing accord.

Development of international treaties

In addition to actively observing the treaties to which Norway is party we also seek to widen their scope and effect. Existing accords can be expanded to embrace further signatories, or their provisions can be tightened up or made to work more efficiently. Advances in international environment cooperation also mean in some cases that existing treaties need to be revised or replaced. In such a process Norway's position is that emissions and impacts must not exceed the levels that the environment can sustain. We also emphasise that these accords should be made cost-effective across national boundaries.