Despite Efforts, International Environmental Law is Aspirational Rather than Successful in its Contribution to the Protection of the Global Environment and in the Fight Against Climate Change

Abstract

The 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment2 (Stockholm Conference) was the first of many international negotiations to consider the effects of anthropogenic interference with the environment, including chemical pollution and climate change. The Conference and its corresponding declaration recognised customary International Environmental Law (IEL) principles, such as the precaution and prevention principles, and has no doubt been a catalyst for an increased awareness of environmental issues throughout the globe, thus influencing domestic environmental legal systems. The UN climate regime can therefore be seen not only as a source of international law, but as an influence on national and transnational environmental regulatory systems. However, the question remains as to the actual impact, if any, IEL has had in protecting the global environment and preventing dangerous climate change.