scholarly journals TEN GOOD PRACTICES IN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTITUTIONALISM: STRUCTURE, TEXT AND JUSTICIABILITY

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 964
Author(s):  
James R. May ◽  
Erin Daly
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Constitutional Law ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Environmental Law ◽  
The United States ◽  
Constitutional Courts ◽  
Good Practices ◽  
Structure Text ◽  
Proper Subject ◽  
The Relationship

Environmental constitutionalism is a relatively recent phenomenon at the confluence of constitutional law, international law, human rights, and environmental law. It embodies the recognition that the environment is a proper subject for protection in constitutional texts and for vindication by constitutional courts worldwide. This chapter posits ten “good practices” – those attributes that make effective outcomes more likely, but not assured – in environmental constitutionalism for advancing positive environmental outcomes considering energy, and governance and sustainability. Good practices in environmental constitutionalism can serve as a useful construct for considering the relationship between sustainability, energy and governance. Accordingly, Section A examines the ten practices that are consequential for effectuating environmental constitutionalism and positive environmental outcomes. Section B then explains how the Robinson Township decision out of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the United States provides a recent example just how good practices can have a positive impact on environmental outcomes in practice.

scholarly journals Constitutional law and international law at the turn of the century

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
JA Frowein
Keyword(s):  
World War Ii ◽  
World War I ◽  
International Law ◽  
Constitutional Law ◽  
The United States ◽  
Fundamental Rights ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
World War ◽  
Constitutional Courts ◽  
Constitution Making

Constitutional law and international law operate in simultaneous conjunction and reciprocal tension. Both fields seem to have overcome the great challenges of destruction and neglect in the course of the 20th century. Both after World War I and World War II the world experienced new waves of constitution making. In both cases the current German constitutions (the Weimar Constitution of 1919 and the Grundgesetz of 1949) were influential. Characteristic of constitution-making in this century, is the final victory of liberal constitutions based on the rule of law, the Rechtsstaat, fundamental rights, meaningful control of public powers and the establishment of constitutional courts. Following the destruction of World War II, the notion of the Sozialstaat emerged strongly in Germany. In contrast to the Constitution of the United States of America, the principle of the responsibility of the state for social justice has emerged in almost all new constitutions, including Russia, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Italy and Portugal. Where courts are given the mandate to interpret bills of rights, fundamental rights have been developed into foundation stones of the legal system. The presence in a Bill of Rights of restrictive clauses, is important for its analysis. Generally restrictive clauses in new constitutions try to limit the possibilities of restriction. The importance of constitutional rules establishing and legitimizing the political organs, must not be overlooked. Of particular importance is the degree of control over the head of state, a positive attitude among political actors towards the constitution and the protection of the interests of minorities in a democratic system. In the field of Public International Law much of Kant's ideal of an international confederation of peace has been realized. Since 1990 the United Nation's Security Council has shown the potential of becoming a directorate for the community ofnations. International law has also been instrumental in the worldwide recognition of human rights. Especially in Europe, Convention Law has had a strong impact. Furthermore, global and regional systems of regulation have tended to alter the legal attitude towards state sovereignty. It may be that the South African constitutional approach in terms of which international law is subject to constitutional and other national law, is not in line with international tendencies.

scholarly journals Die Staatenhaftung im Völkerrecht

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sahar Moradi Karkaj
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Environmental Law ◽  
State Responsibility ◽  
Investment Protection ◽  
Conflict Situations ◽  
Information Operations ◽  
State Obligations ◽  
State Liability ◽  
The Relationship

The necessity for state obligations to compensate transboundary harm becomes particularly evident in the virtual world. International law is predestined to address this issue but faces challenges due to the private character of information operations. Against this background, the author analyses the relationship between the established institute of state responsibility for internationally wrongful acts and the concept of state liability for non-prohibited dangerous activities. The contours of state liability are primarily derived from environmental law, WTO law, and investment protection. It is shown that state liability offers solutions to novel conflict situations. The findings can potentially be applied in various liability regimes.

The United States under President Trump: Gravedigger of International Law

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 645-668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Talmon
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
International Law ◽  
The United States ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Trump Administration ◽  
Do So

Abstract The United States’ recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Syrian Golan has been widely considered a flagrant breach of international law. This illegal act gives reason to examine the relationship between the United States under President Trump and international law more generally. Unlike its predecessors, the Trump administration has not just violated international law whenever U.S. economic, political, or strategic interests demanded it to do so, it has rather challenged international law and its institutions as such, and has actively undermined them. The attitude of the Trump administration towards international law and its institutions is marked by an unparalleled contempt or disdain. This article delivers a powerful “J’accuse” against this international law nihilism.

Part IX International Environmental Law in National/Regional Courts, Ch.65 North America

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Affolder Natasha
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
North America ◽  
International Law ◽  
Environmental Law ◽  
The United States ◽  
Private International Law ◽  
Human Rights Law ◽  
International Environmental Law ◽  
Indigenous Law

This chapter assesses international environmental law in the courts of North America. In particular, it explores the minimal engagement of US, Canadian, and Mexican courts with international environmental law. Environmental law cases in Canada, Mexico, and the United States are not immune to international law and international norms. However, international environmental lawyers may be forced to look to some unlikely and unusual places to find international environmental law's normative influence. Environmental law cases in North America seem poised to engage most significantly with international law not in the ‘bright lights’ but rather on the side-lines, where environmental law norms interface with climate law, private international law, Indigenous law, and human rights law.

Constitutional Law and the Jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights: An Attempt at a Synthesis

2001 ◽  
Vol 2 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Boštjan M. Zupancic
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Conflict Resolution ◽  
Constitutional Law ◽  
Complete Separation ◽  
Human Rights Law ◽  
Legal Process ◽  
Constitutional Courts ◽  
Resolution Process ◽  
European Court ◽  
The Relationship

There are a few premises underlying this discourse on the relationship between constitutional law and European human-rights law which I should reveal before we explore the relationship itself. I start with a functionalistic designation of the general legal process as being no more (and no less!) than a conflict-resolution process. From this perspective, the most important of my starting premises is what I consider to be an empirical fact, that is to say that the constitutional courts now produce jurisprudence(2) overtly and explicitly transcending the Enlightenment's illusion of complete separation between the competencies of the legislative and judicial branches of power.

From Autonomy to Integration? International Law, Free Trade and the Environment

2008 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 253-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Mehling ◽  
Anja Lindroos
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Environmental Law ◽  
Case Law ◽  
International Environmental Law ◽  
International Treaty ◽  
Trade Law ◽  
International Trade Law ◽  
Trade And The Environment ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractOur current understanding of so-called “self-contained regimes” is based on an overly simplistic appreciation of how such regimes interact with each other and with the larger body of international law. Drawing on an analysis of WTO case law, this article highlights two distinct normative relations, addressing the relationship of international trade law vis-à-vis general international law and international environmental law. As the analysis reveals, further differentiation of normative relationships is needed to better understand how such seemingly independent regimes operate in a fragmented legal system. It also shows that a recently proposed interpretative tool, systemic integration, raises new questions and challenges traditional conceptions of international treaty law.

Countering Anti-Constitutional Argument: The Reasons for the European Court of Justice’s Decision in Kadi and Al Barakaat

2009 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 15-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jo Eric Khushal Murkens
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Fundamental Rights ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Constitutional Courts ◽  
Public International Law ◽  
European Court ◽  
Un Security Council ◽  
Failure To Protect ◽  
Ec Law ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractThis chapter examines the recent decision by the European Court of Justice in Kadi and Al Barakaat International Foundation. It is a response to criticism that the ECJ’s judgment, in providing for the review of EC measures implementing UN Security Council resolutions, undermines the authority of public international law. Instead of committing itself to international law and institutions at all cost, the ECJ concerns itself with the constitutional repercussions from national constitutional courts (in the case of failure to protect fundamental rights). Important as the relationship between EC law and international law is, there is a clear sense that the ECJ is responsible to, and will ultimately be held to account by, the courts and constitutions of the Member States of the European Union.

scholarly journals Water Security and International Law

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuomas Kuokkanen
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Environmental Law ◽  
Water Security ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Water Law ◽  
Rules And Principles ◽  
International Water Law ◽  
International Water ◽  
The Relationship

The article explores water security from an international law point of view. The article argues that in order to better understand water security it is important to focus on the function of international water law. Even though water security is a relatively recent concept it was latent in the process of the evolution of international water law.  In addition, the article examines the relationship between man and water from the point of view of water security. The article seeks to answer the question: how does international water law deal with that relationship? Is water only an object to be utilized and protected or has the relationship become more complex and ambivalent through the occurrence of various extreme events. Furthermore, the article places the concept of water security into a historiographical and substantive context. It explores three broad approaches by international law to water issues: general international law, the regulatory approach and the management approach. The article argues that they are all relevant to water security. Finally, the article seeks to demonstrate that even though water security has emerged as a new notion, this does not mean that international law does not include rules and principles relevant for water security. Indeed, many general principles of international law are applicable in the context of water security. In addition, specific regulations dealing with water quantity and quality issues have been developed in international environmental law, although they are not necessarily labelled as water security rules. Moreover, various risk management methods have been elaborated to deal with water-related disasters and crises. Reciprocally, water security arguments are not necessarily new notions but rather reflect already existing concepts and principles. 

Environmental Law and Constitutional and Public Law

2019 ◽  
pp. 1072-1090
Author(s):  
Ole W. Pedersen
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Constitutional Law ◽  
Environmental Law ◽  
Public Law ◽  
Administrative State ◽  
Environmental Norms ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Law Making

This chapter examines the relationship of environmental law to public and constitutional law. More specifically, it considers ‘points of interactions’ between public and constitutional law and environmental law and shows that these points of interaction are found throughout the ‘life cycle’ of environmental law. The chapter explores the ways in which environmental law is shaped by rules and doctrines of public and constitutional law, first by discussing policy and law-making in the administrative state. It then analyses constitutional environmental norms and their functions, the local and domestic context of constitutional environmental provisions, the non-constitutional points of interaction between environmental law and public and constitutional law, and how the form and content of environmental law are shaped by domestic structures of government (and governance). The chapter concludes with an assessment of the impact of environmental law on public and constitutional law.

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