Posthuman international law and the rights of nature

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (0) ◽  
pp. 76-101
Author(s):  
Emily Jones
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Legal Theory ◽  
Environmental Law ◽  
The Other ◽  
International Environmental Law ◽  
Transformative Potential ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Rights Of Nature ◽  
Domestic Law

Both posthuman theory and the rights of nature (RoN) movement have the potential to challenge the anthropocentrism of international environmental law (IEL). Scholars have begun to document the transformative shifts that could occur through the application of posthuman legal theory to IEL, but these theories have yet to be applied to law in practice. On the other hand, RoN have been applied in domestic law but hardly in international law, while the question of what RoN includes and excludes remains contested. This article brings posthuman theory and RoN together, reflecting on how posthuman legal theory can contribute to the framing of RoN, with a focus on challenging the anthropocentrism of IEL. The article argues, first, that the next step for posthuman legal theory will be its application to existing law. Noting convergences between posthuman legal theory and the rights of nature (RoN), the article contends that those seeking to apply posthuman legal theory might find some interesting alliances by turning to RoN. Second, it is argued that using posthuman theory to frame RoN could help to ensure that RoN live up to their transformative potential.

An Economic Theory of International Environmental Law

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Barrett
Keyword(s):  
Economic Theory ◽  
International Law ◽  
Environmental Law ◽  
Customary Law ◽  
Trade Restrictions ◽  
International Environmental Law ◽  
State Behaviour ◽  
Asymmetric Countries ◽  
System States ◽  
Domestic Law

International law, of which international environmental law is a part, shapes and constrains state behaviour. Essentially, it tells states what they are permitted to do, what they are prohibited from doing, and what they are required to do. In this respect, international law is indistinguishable from domestic law. In other respects, however, domestic and international law could not be more different. Domestic law develops and is applied within a vertical system of governance, with a legislature that creates law, a judiciary that interprets law, and an executive that enforces law. International law, by contrast, is rooted to a horizontal system – states at once make, interpret, and enforce international law. This article presents an economic theory of international environmental law, showing how international law can restructure incentives, making it in the interest of states to change their behaviour, and so protect the environment. It examines customary law, theory of treaty design, treaty participation, minimum participation, compliance, narrow and deep versus broad and shallow treaties, tipping treaties, trade restrictions, asymmetric countries, and payment compensation.

scholarly journals The Politics of International Law and the Perils and Promises of Interdisciplinarity

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 503-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
TANJA E. AALBERTS
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
International Law ◽  
Legal Theory ◽  
The Other ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Plural Identity ◽  
Theory Section ◽  
The One ◽  
Academic Debate

In the previous editorial, Larissa van den Herik and Jean d'Aspremont referred to LJIL's ‘special plural identity’. On the one hand, this plurality shows in its table of contents; on the other hand, the plural identity is equally – if not even more – treasured in terms of appreciating the plurality of voices within the legal discipline, as the editors-in-chief also highlight. Diversity and heterogeneity are an asset for academic debate, and LJIL as such seeks to provide a forum for scholars from different ‘paradigms’. The appreciation of diversity and plurality is also reflected in the interest of LJIL to look beyond the confines of the legal discipline itself and engage with external perspectives to foster discussions about international law. It is in light of this open-mindedness and the wish to reach out to non-legal audiences, and to the international relations community in particular, that I was invited to join the LJIL team some years ago. Whereas there is a growing audience of IR scholars genuinely interested in (theorizing) international law, LJIL is not very well known as a journal with that profile for its International Legal Theory section. As a leading scholar in IR once remarked: ‘LJIL is the best kept secret in IR’. So when the request came for me to write an editorial, it seemed only apt to reflect upon some of the perils and promises of interdisciplinarity from my experience as an IR scholar within the LJIL editorial board.

PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW IMPLICATIONS OF ‘EQUAL CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS’

2019 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-173
Author(s):  
Máire Ní Shúilleabháin
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
International Law ◽  
The Other ◽  
Private International Law ◽  
Civil Partnership ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Human Rights Norms ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Domestic Law

AbstractThe Steinfeld and Keidan campaign for ‘equal civil partnerships’ is focussed on English domestic law. However, it also has profound implications from a private international law perspective. If the UK parliament extends civil partnership to include different-sex couples, this will close a long-standing gap in English private international law. If, on the other hand, it was decided to abolish civil partnership, this would extend the existing lacuna in English private international law, and might generate further collisions with human rights norms. This article explores these lacunae and associated human rights concerns—and suggests possible solutions.

Part II Analytical Approaches, Ch.14 Earth Jurisprudence

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cullinan Cormac
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Environmental Law ◽  
International Environmental Law ◽  
Philosophical Approach ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Governance Systems ◽  
Rights Of Nature ◽  
Healthy Functioning ◽  
Mother Earth ◽  
Analytical Approaches

This chapter assesses Earth jurisprudence, which is a philosophical approach to legal and governance systems at every level, rather than a theory of international environmental law. It refers to philosophies of law and governance which seek to guide humans to behave in ways that contribute to the integrity, healthy functioning, beauty, and ongoing evolution of the community of life known as ‘Earth’. This approach seeks to promote the flourishing of the Earth community and a ‘mutually enhancing human-Earth relationship’, rather than its subjugation and exploitation by humankind. The chapter explains the worldview that informs Earth jurisprudence, before looking at the essential concepts and principles that make this approach so distinctive. It then tracks the emergence of Earth jurisprudence and the rights of Nature/Mother Earth within the international sphere, and evaluates how this approach may affect the development of international law.

scholarly journals State’s Responsibility over Forest and Land Fires Causing Transboundary Haze Pollution in the Frame of ASEAN Agreement

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-81
Author(s):  
Fajar Khaify Rizky ◽  
Suhaidi Suhaidi ◽  
Alvi Syahrin ◽  
Jelly Leviza
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Environmental Law ◽  
Fundamental Principle ◽  
The Other ◽  
State Responsibility ◽  
International Environmental Law ◽  
Asean Member ◽  
Legal Method ◽  
Haze Pollution ◽  
The Impact

This article aims to analyze the state’s responsibility over forest and land fires causing transboundary haze pollution according to the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution. A normative legal method is applied to help answer the problems of transboundary pollution which has been an international concern. The impact of haze pollution resulted from forest and land fires has triggered protests against Indonesian government and urged the sate’s liability as long as the impact of the haze pollution is concerned. Forest and land fires which caused transboundary haze pollution has infilcted losses and damage not only in Indonesia but also in other neighbouring countries, such as Malaysia and Singapore. State responsibility is a fundamental principle in international law applied when a country has violated boundaries, either directly or indirectly, which is harmful to other countries. In international environmental law, tansboudary air pollution caused by forest and land fires is contrary to the principles of international environmental law resulting in a state responsibility responsibility or liability. While responsibility refers to a legally regulated responsibility and the concept of international law, the liability refers to the indemnification of the other party’s loss. As a result of forest and land fires causing transboundary haze pollution, ASEAN member countries have agreed to form an AATHP (ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution) agreement aiming at preventing and mitigating transboundary haze pollution

scholarly journals Applying the Precautionary Principle to Private Persons : Should it Affect Civil and Criminal Liability?

2005 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce Pardy
Keyword(s):  
Precautionary Principle ◽  
Environmental Law ◽  
Criminal Liability ◽  
Strict Liability ◽  
Criminal Punishment ◽  
International Environmental Law ◽  
The Precautionary Principle ◽  
The Past ◽  
Precautionary Action ◽  
Domestic Law

The precautionary principle, developed in international environmental law, is a prospective concept. It can be used to decide what should be allowed to occur in the future. The question addressed in this article is whether, in domestic law, the precautionary principle should be applied retrospectively. Should precautionary behaviour be used as a standard to apply to the past actions of private persons, so as to judge whether those persons have acted legally ? In the civil realm, the answer is « yes ». Applying the precautionary principle in civil cases removes foreseeability requirements, and transforms liability based on fault into strict liability. In the criminal sphere, retrospective application of the precautionary principle is not appropriate. To require precautionary action on the part of an accused in an environmental prosecution transforms strict liability into absolute liability, and creates the potential for criminal punishment in the absence of culpability.

scholarly journals Role of the South in the Development of International Environmental Law

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-157
Author(s):  
Parvez Hassan
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
International Law ◽  
Environmental Law ◽  
International Environmental Law ◽  
Colonial Era ◽  
International Protection ◽  
Post Colonial ◽  
Protection Of Human Rights ◽  
Independent States ◽  
Law Texts

Abstract In the post-colonial era, the newly emerging and independent states of Asia and Africa, supported by the developing world in South America, questioned the validity and legitimacy of norms of international law. Those norms were perceived to serve only the interests of the developed Western nations and were alien to the aspirations of the developing countries. International law has evolved over time, with a willingness to accept the viewpoint of new participants in the global process in a variety of contexts. These include the international protection of human rights and international law regarding the permanent sovereignty of nations over their natural wealth and resources. The interests of developing countries have been assimilated, though the extent to which this is done varies. A central message advanced is that the ultimate integrity of international law is the commonality and synthesis of the interests of all states, rich and poor, agricultural and industrial. The continuing contribution of developing countries, through their participation in conferences, negotiation of treaties and soft law texts, adds immeasurable strength to the current state and future development of international environmental law.

scholarly journals International law protecting the environment during armed conflict: gaps and opportunities

2010 ◽  
Vol 92 (879) ◽  
pp. 569-592 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Bothe ◽  
Carl Bruch ◽  
Jordan Diamond ◽  
David Jensen
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Armed Conflict ◽  
Environmental Law ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
International Environmental Law ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
Principle Of Proportionality ◽  
Definition Of

AbstractThere are three key deficiencies in the existing body of international humanitarian law (IHL) relating to protection of the environment during armed conflict. First, the definition of impermissible environmental damage is both too restrictive and unclear; second, there are legal uncertainties regarding the protection of elements of the environment as civilian objects; and third, the application of the principle of proportionality where harm to the environment constitutes ‘collateral damage’ is also problematic. These gaps present specific opportunities for clarifying and developing the existing framework. One approach to addressing some of the inadequacies of IHL could be application of international environmental law during armed conflict. The detailed norms, standards, approaches, and mechanisms found in international environmental law might also help to clarify and extend basic principles of IHL to prevent, address, or assess liability for environmental damage incurred during armed conflict.

Grotian Moments and Peremptory Norms of General International Law: Friendly Facilitators or Fatal Foes?

Grotiana ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 335-353
Author(s):  
Dire Tladi
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
The Other ◽  
High Threshold ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
State Practice ◽  
The One ◽  
Jus Cogens ◽  
The Right ◽  
Peremptory Norms ◽  
Law Making

Abstract The concept of a Grotian moment remains rather obscure in international law. On the one hand, it can refer simply to an empirical fact which galvanises the ordinary law-making processes, whether treaty-making or State practice, resulting in major shifts in international law. On the other hand, a Grotian moment might be seen as an event so significant that it results in an extraordinary shift in international law without full adherence to the processes for law-making. The former understanding has little legal significance, while the latter, which would be legally significant, would be controversial and without legal basis. Against this background the article discusses the intersections between peremptory norms and Grotian Moments. It does this by looking at the intersection between the two concepts as well as the intersection between Grotian Moments, on the one hand and, on the other hand, particular jus cogens norms. With respect to the former, for example, the article will consider whether the high threshold of peremptory status facilitates and hinders Grotian moments. With respect to the latter, the article will consider particular norms that have been said to have shifted on account of the Grotian moments, namely the right to use of force in self-defence as well humanitarian intervention.

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