LAW593
International Environmental Law
(A Majekolagbe)
Prerequisite courses:
Prerequisite for:
Instructor(s): Professor Adebayo Majekolagbe
Course credit: 3
Method of presentation: Lecture / Seminar
Teamwork:
METHOD OF EVALUATION
1. Major Paper – 70%
2. Major paper outline, abstract and presentation – 15%
3. Class attendance and participation (oral or written) – 15%
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Nations have struggled to effectively govern the global commons collectively. The global commons are domains beyond national jurisdictions, held in common by the human race, or the governance of which has global consequences. The high seas, Antarctica, the atmosphere, outer space, and biodiversity are considered global commons and are at various stages of depletion or despoilation.
International environmental law focuses on the study of efforts made by nation-states and various international institutions over the years through treaties, declarations, and the decisions of international judicial and quasi-judicial bodies to prevent or address the depletion and despoilation of the global commons.
This course will focus on studying the international legal frameworks (instruments, institutions, and decisions) regulating the five global commons. We will consider the legal obligations of State and non-state entities, the justice and human rights dimensions, and the trade dimension of legal frameworks pertaining to each global common.
There is ample evidence that the international frameworks regulating the commons are inadequate, at times aid the despoilation they supposedly address, and in most cases, are unjust in their origins, implementation, and effects. Class discussions and research projects will be steered towards discerning problems and proposing solutions.
SPECIAL COMMENTS
Description updated 2025-26. Please contact the instructor for any specific questions you may have related to this particular course section.
REQUIRED TEXTS (IF ANY)
Lakshman Guruswamy and Elizabeth Neville, International Environmental Law in a Nutshell, 6th ed. (St. Paul: Thomson/West, 2022) (Older editions can be used and are available in the library)
[If students are unable to acquire or access the required text, Gerry Nagtzaam et al, International Environmental Law: A Case Study Analysis (2020) (E-book) is allowed.]