Credits: 2

Over the last 35 years, international environmental law has undergone a dramatic expansion. In 1972, when the first worldwide environmental conference took place in Stockholm, there were only very few international environmental treaties, primarily concerning wildlife conservation and the protection of the marine environment from oil pollution. Since the 1970s the world has witnessed a proliferation of international legal regimes and related efforts to manage sustainability issues that reach beyond national borders. Literally, hundreds of multilateral agreements have been negotiated, covering such diverse topics as acid rain, depletion of the ozone layer, protection of biological diversity, desertification, control of toxic chemicals, transboundary shipment of hazardous wastes and chemicals, and climate change.

The overarching question we will examine throughout the course is: What role can law play in addressing international environmental problems? This course will provide a general introduction to the basic concepts and mechanisms of international environmental law. As we will not be able to cover the entire field, the course will focus on a few case studies that illustrate the basic types of international environmental regimes, problems and issues. Among the issues the course will examine are: Why do states cooperate in developing international environmental norms? What factors promote or hinder cooperation? What incentives and disincentives do states have to comply with international environmental standards? What are the comparative strengths and weaknesses of national, regional and multilateral institutions in the design and implementation of environmental regimes? What types of international environmental standards are most effective? How do we evaluate effectiveness?

The purpose of the course is to provide students with knowledge about existing international environmental regimes and equip them with theoretical tools to analyze and evaluate them.

Grade: Final Exam 90%; Participation 10%