International Environmental Law and Policy

Catalog description

This course examines the legal and institutional frameworks developed to address some of the most wicked challenges facing humanity. The field of international environmental law, which regulates the behavior of nation-states, non-state actors, and international organizations with respect to the environment, is still young in many respects and is still developing the legal mechanisms to address the complexities of transboundary environmental issues. is a lot to cover, and we cannot cover it all in one semester, but we will learn about sustainable development, management of freshwater resources, oceans, and seas; protection of the atmosphere; species, ecosystems, and biodiversity; and management of chemicals, wastes and plastics. We will focus on the core domains of international environmental law and policy, and the dynamic nature of the international legal process, including environmental diplomacy and the critical role of non-state actors and institutions, politics, norms, and science in shaping international environmental law. What are the key environmental treaties that have been adopted, and what are the fundamental decisions by international courts or arbitrators that shape international environmental law? Finally, we will examine how international laws and policies have developed, their status, challenges and obstacles to effective implementation and enforcement, and how international legal regimes must evolve to be effective.