“International Environmental Law” by Prof. TAKAMURA Yukari

Prof. Takamura is Professor of Institute for Future Initiatives, University of Tokyo.

Humanity has been now facing serious environmental degradation all over the planet, which could undermine even the foundation of our life and well-being. International community has been strengthening its efforts to address these challenges. International environmental law (IEL), an evolving branch of international law aimed at protecting the environment, provides a legal framework for addressing transboundary environmental challenges through international cooperation. The lecture briefly introduces historical developments, basic concepts and principles, features of international environmental law. The lecture then explores features and challenges of international environmental law more specifically by taking up international climate change law as a case study: focusing on three climate change treaties (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement) as well as looking into recent developments of climate law after the adoption of the Paris Agreements.