LAW 7358 - International Environmental Law

Fall, Spring. 3 credits. Student option grading.

A. Chatrchyan.

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. We will focus on the core domains of international environmental management, including oceans and fisheries, biodiversity conservation, transboundary air pollution, ozone layer protection, desertification, plastics pollution, and climate change. The course will also highlight the dynamic nature of the international legal process, including environmental diplomacy and the critical role of non-state actors and institutions, politics, economics, norms, and science in shaping international environmental law. Finally, we will examine how international laws and policies have developed, their current status, challenges and obstacles to effective implementation and enforcement, and how international legal regimes must evolve to be effective.