Global Issues in Environmental Law Book

Preface v

Acknowledgements ix

Table of Cases xix

Chapter I Introduction: Basic Principles and Rules 1

A Constitutional Protection of the Environment 1

B Risk Management, Economics and the Precautionary Principle 4

Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, Principle 15 5

(Badkhal and Surajkund Lakes Matter) vs. Union of India and Others M. C. Mehta 6

Notes and Questions 11

The Polluter Pays Principle 12

Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, Principle 16 12

Genetically Modified Organisms and Justice: The International Environmental Justice Implications of Biotechnology Carmen G. Gonzalez 14

Notes and Questions 19

C Intergenerational Equity 21

Edith Brown Weiss, in Fairness to Future Generations: International Law, Common Patrimony, and Intergenerational Equity 22

Minors Oposa et al. v. Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 23

Notes and Questions 33

Chapter II Planning Processes 37

A Espoo Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context 38

Notes 42

United Nations Case Study: Bridge over the Danube River between Vidin (Bulgaria) and Calafat (Romania) 48

Note 49

B The North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation 50

The Myth and Reality of Transboundary Environmental Impact Assessment John H. Knox 51

Notes and Questions 53

C Comparative Perspectives on Environmental Impact Assessment 54

1 Brazil 54

2 Uganda 54

Notes and Questions 55

D Critiques of Planning as an Environmental Protection Tool 56

The Myth and Reality of Transboundary Environmental Impact Assessment John H. Knox 56

Notes and Questions 58

Chapter III Fresh Water 59

Introduction 59

A The Human Right to Water 60

The City of Johannesburg, et al. Lindiwe Mazibuko et al. v. 60

Notes and Questions 85

B Water Quality 87

Pakootas v. Teck Cominco Metals, Ltd. 87

Notes and Questions 95

Case Study: The Rhine Salt Case 96

Notes and Questions 100

C Management of International Watercourses 105

The EU Water Framework Directive of 2000 107

Notes and Questions 111

Chapter IV Air: Climate Change, Ozone Depletion and Transboundary Air Pollution 113

Introduction 113

A Global Climate Change 115

Inuit Petition to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights 115

Notes and Questions 121

B Controlling Ozone Depletion 127

Notes and Questions 130

C Air Quality: Transboundary Air Pollution 131

Trail Smelter Arbitration 132

Notes and Questions 143

UNECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP) 148

Notes and Questions 150

Chapter V Toxic Substances and Hazardous Wastes 151

A European Union REACH Legislation 151

European Commission, Environment Directorate General REACH in Brief 152

Notes and Questions 156

B International Agreements Regarding Hazardous Materials and Toxic Wastes 156

1 Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (1998) (Rotterdam Convention) 157

2 Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal (Basel Convention) 158

Questions 160

International Trade in Hazardous Wastes and the Basel Convention Alias Sanders Peter Bowal 160

Notes and Questions 161

i Special Problem: Shipbreaking 162

Upperton Ltd. of Mauritius v. The Minister of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment 162

Cemsan Ship Dismantling Metal and Steel Industry Trade Limited Company v. Ministry of Environment, Ankara, et al. 168

Notes and Questions 169

ii Special Problem: Electronic Waste 170

Notes and Questions 171

3 The Convention on the Ban of Imports into Africa and the Control of Transboundary Movement and Management of Hazardous Wastes Within Africa (Bamako Convention) 172

Questions 172

Chapter VI Wildlife 173

A International Agreements Regarding Protection of Biodiversity 173

1 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) 173

Policing International Trade in Endangered Species: The Cities Treaty and Compliance Rosalind Reeve 173

Notes and Questions 177

2 The Convention on Biological Diversity (1992) 178

Notes and Questions 182

B Protection of Biodiversity in Brazil 186

1 System of National Conservation Units (SNUC) 186

The Insistent (and Unrelenting) Challenges of Protecting Biodiversity in Brazil: Finding “The Law That Sticks” Colin Crawford Guilherme Pignataro 186

2 Private Natural Heritage Reserve Program (PNHRP) 192

Notes and Questions 192

Chapter VII Ocean and Coastal Law 194

A United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 195

Malta's Ambassador to the United Nations, General Assembly, 22nd Sessions, First Committee (Nov. 1, 1967) United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea Arvid Pardo 196

1 Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) 196

Notes and Questions 202

2 United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement (UNFSA) 204

Notes and Questions 205

3 Exploitation of Deep Seabed Resources 205

Note: Arctic Resources 206

B Marine Zoning: The Case of Australia's Great Barrier Reef Marine Park 206

Ashton v. Commonwealth of Australia 208

Notes and Questions 215

Appendix 1 Rio Declaration on Environmental Development 217

Appendix 2 World Charter for Nature 223

Index 229