Module Identifier | LAM1820 | |||||||||||
Module Title | REGULATING THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT | |||||||||||
Academic Year | 2003/2004 | |||||||||||
Co-ordinator | Professor Lynda Warren | |||||||||||
Semester | Intended for use in future years | |||||||||||
Next year offered | N/A | |||||||||||
Next semester offered | N/A | |||||||||||
Other staff | Mrs Marion I Arnold, Paul K Street | |||||||||||
Course delivery | Seminars / Tutorials | 2 Hours Seminar. See timetable for times and rooms. | ||||||||||
Assessment |
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On the other hand, longer-term threats to the global environment (e.g. climate change, depletion of natural resources) have only
recently been addressed with any seriousness by the international community, and here much remains at the level of rhetoric.
Underlying the whole subject is the tension between development needs (especially third world aspirations) and policies of
environmental protection, the latter being traditionally led by the more affluent countries.
Sources of international law; environmental law as a means of addressing environmental questions; the evolution of rule-making
and standard-setting from bilateral to regional and global mechanisms; the principle international fora and agencies involved in
policy-making and standard setting; the problems of translating rhetoric and 'soft law' into enforceable standards; the choice
between international agencies of enforcement and delegation of enforcement to national authorities and procedures; arbitration
devices and the role of the International Court of Justice; the role of the International Court of Environmental Arbitration and
Conciliation.
2. International Environmental Law after UNCED
UNCED including the Rio Declaration; the development of general concepts of environmental law, such as the common
heritage of mankind, sustainable development and intergenerational equity; the problem of balancing the needs of development
and those of environmental protection; the special problems of global commons and the so-called 'tragedy of the commons'.
3. Protecting the Global Commons
Special regimes have been established to regulate use of various global commons such as the atmosphere and the sea. Several of these regimes will be analysed to consider their history and effectiveness.
4. The Use of Natural Resources
It is now accepted that the international community has an interest in the conservation of natural resources whether these are in global commons or in state territory. Particular emphasis will be placed on the conservation of biodiversity.
5. Environmental Security
The impact of warfare on the environment; the environment as a potential issue for armed conflict.
This module is at CQFW Level 7