Environmentally Sustainable Development and Peace: What Role of International Law?

Abstract

The protection and preservation of the natural environment, the integrity of ecological systems, and the survival of species are positive conditions for peace and human security. Given the interdependent and complex nature of the global environment, no state alone can effectively protect it. Rather, global cooperative efforts to reach significant concessions on states’ sovereignty to exploit their natural resources are necessary in order to halt, reverse, and prevent environmental degradation. Environmental protection has to be aligned with eco-sensitive development needs as aptly expressed in the principle of sustainable development. This chapter gives an overview of the interlinkages between environmental protection, sustainable development, and peace. It looks at the tools and means of international environmental law in this context and highlights the importance of multilateralism and global cooperation. It further looks at the example of climate change and the multilateral efforts under the UN to establish a collaborative climate effort.

Promoting Peace Through International Law edited by Cecilia Marcela Bailliet and Kjetil Mujezinovic Larsen, 2015, reproduced by permission of Oxford University Press. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198722731.001.0001