International Environmental Law

Unit I — Foundations of International Environmental Law

Nature, scope, and significance of IEL · Sources of IEL: Treaties, Customary Law, General Principles, Judicial Decisions · Historical evolution: From early conventions to the modern framework · Key milestones: Stockholm (1972), Rio (1992), and beyond · Role of United Nations and international institutions

• Environment Protection from International Perspectives — Stockholm Conference, Rio Declaration and Johannesburg Declaration

Unit II — Principles and Doctrines of IEL

Substantive principles: · Sovereign rights and environmental responsibility · Prevention of harm, precautionary principle · Polluter Pays Principle, Sustainable Development · Procedural principles: · Environmental Impact Assessment, Public Participation, Access to Information · Equitable principles: · Intergenerational equity, Common but Differentiated Responsibilities

• Environment Protection-Significant Concepts and Principles — Sustainable development Polluter Pays Principle Precautionary Principle

Unit III — Global Environmental Issues and Legal Responses

Protection of the atmosphere: · Air pollution, Transboundary pollution · Ozone Layer Protection: Vienna Convention, Montreal Protocol · Climate Change Regime: · UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement · Role of IPCC and COP · Marine Environment Protection: · UNCLOS, Pollution control, Regional Seas Programs · Biodiversity protection: · CBD, CITES, Ramsar Convention, World Heritage Sites · Access to genetic resources and benefit sharing

• Environment Protection from International Perspectives — Stockholm Conference, Rio Declaration and Johannesburg Declaration

Unit IV — Regulation of Hazardous Substances and Activities

Legal control of hazardous wastes and chemicals · Basel Convention (waste), Rotterdam Convention (PIC), Stockholm Convention (POPs) · Regulation of nuclear materials: Vienna Convention · Regulation of biotechnology and GMOs: Cartagena Protocol · International safety standards and liability regimes

Unit V — Implementation and Governance of IEL

Institutional framework: UNEP, IPCC, MEA Secretariats · National implementation of IEL obligations · EIA, standard setting, eco-labelling, liability and compensation · Dispute resolution and compliance mechanisms · Role of international financial institutions, NGOs, and civil society · Challenges and emerging trends in environmental governance

• Environment Protection from International Perspectives — Stockholm Conference, Rio Declaration and Johannesburg Declaration