Global Governance of the Environment: Environmental Principles and Change in International Law and Politics

This timely book examines the role of environmental principles in changing international environmental law and politics, and argues for the importance of integrating environmental principles in the global governance of the environment. Afshin Akhtarkhavari includes both theoretical and jurisprudential analyses of the concept of environmental principles, as well as detailed case studies to examine their function and role in courts, and the differing approaches taken to soft law and regulation in international politics. Global Governance of the Environment concludes with succinct and insightful considerations of the role of environmental principles in changing international law and politics. This topical book will appeal to researchers, academics and students of international environmental law and politics, international relations, as well as domestic environmental law.

Table of Contents:
Contents: Foreword by Donald R. Rothwell Part I: Introduction 1. Introduction 2. Social Learning at the International Level Part II: Norms, Environmental Principles and Social Learning 3. Environmental Principles as Abstract or Open-textured Norms 4. Abstract and Open-textured Norms and Social Learning 5. The Function and Role of Environmental Principles Part III: Environmental Principles in Practice 6. Power, Environmental Principles and the International Court of Justice 7. The Global Compact, Environmental Principles and Culture 8. Arguments, Bargains and the Disposal of Carbon Dioxide at Sea Part IV: Conclusion 9. Global Governance of the Environment: The Role and Function of Environmental Principles in Changing International Law and Politics Bibliography Index

About the Author :
Afshin Akhtarkhavari, Professor of International Law and Governance, Law School, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia

Review :
‘This book will likely be of interest to people with a background in sociological or international relations theory of the constructivist sort, and a particular interest in policymaking as a social learning process, the role of principles in international environmental law, or the social aspects of global environmental politics.’ ‘This book is an important contribution to the relationship between international law and politics. . . highly recommended to scholars working at the interface of international environmental law and politics, particularly those with a solid theoretical grounding. . . Akhtarkhavari’s Global Governance of the Environmentshould be required reading for advanced students of international environmental law and politics, whatever their concern.’ ‘This book makes an interesting contribution to the literature on environmental principles in terms of their functions and influences on international law and politics. As well, it assists in the better understanding of the process of change at the global level. Whilst the topic of environmental principles is not new, Akhtarkhavari provides a refreshing perspective, and in doing so the book will be of interest to a range of scholars with research interests in international relations, politics, and law.’ ‘A scholarly text breaking down the international debate of law on a grander scale that the world faces in maintaining and recovering its environment from current and past abuses. . . Global Governance of the Environment is a cornerstone of any environmental or international studies collection in community and college libraries.’