International Environmental Law

This 2-credit seminar offers a focused examination of the legal frameworks, institutions, and principles that govern the protection of the global environment. As environmental challenges--from climate change and biodiversity loss to plastic pollution--transcend national borders, international law has become a critical field for cooperation, conflict resolution, and sustainable governance. We will begin by exploring the foundational pillars of international environmental law, including its sources (treaties, customary international law) and core principles (e.g., prevention of transboundary harm, the precautionary principle). The seminar will then analyze key multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) as critical case studies. Substantive topics will include the "most successful" treaty, the Montreal Protocol and the Paris Agreement on climate change. The course will also critically examine the intersection of trade and the environment, the role of corporate standards, and the extraterritorial reach of domestic laws. We will conclude by analyzing emerging challenges, including the ongoing negotiations for a global plastics treaty and the nexus of human rights and environmental law. Throughout the seminar, we will assess the effectiveness of these legal regimes and the evolving roles of state and non-state actors, including industry. Elements used in grading: Class participation and reflection papers.