Synopsis
The Research Handbook on International Law and Natural Resources provides a systematic and comprehensive analysis of the role of international law in regulating the exploration and exploitation of natural resources. The book covers overarching and sectoral, as well as traditional and emerging, legal issues in natural resource development.
The book illuminates interactions and tensions between international environmental law, human rights and economic law, as well as the law of the sea, tracing their evolution and identifying critical areas for further investigation. It also discusses the relevance of soft law and international dispute settlement, as well as of various unilateral, bilateral, regional and transnational initiatives in the governance of natural resources. Analysis of historical and current policy debates, including the incipient negotiations of a new international legally binding instrument on marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, and the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on climate change, are included.
While the handbook is accessible to those approaching the subject for the first time, it identifies pressing areas for further investigation that will be of interest to advanced researchers and practitioners of international environmental, economic, and human rights law.
Contributors include: R. Barnes, V. Barra, B. Boer, C. Chiarolla, L. Cotula, F. Francioni, J. Harrison, J. Jabour, M. Jansson, M. Kidd, R.E. Kim, T. Koivurova, K. Kulovesi, R. Leal-Arcas, F. Lesniewska, C. Massarella, S. Minas, O. McIntyre, E. Morgera, E. Orlando, F. Ortino, A. Proelss, S. Romppanen, C. Salpin, N.M. Tabari, K. Talus, A. Trouwborst, H. van Asselt, J. Vinuales
'This volume presents an excellent and long overdue assessment of international law as related to the use of natural resources. Its analytical focus on the triad of international human rights, environmental and economic law provides deep insights into the often disjointed nature of this body of law. The research agenda set out in the concluding chapter highlights that there is analytical work to be done. A must read for anyone interested the topic!' --Ellen Hey, Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands'A distinguished mix of authors coming from a variety of backgrounds, all of whom are experts in a field of crucial importance for present and future generations. The book covers different strands of international and domestic law as well as the numerous governance and dispute settlement loci that are relevant. It highlights the need for more integrated approaches and sets an agenda for the years ahead. In sum, this is required reading for all lawyers involved in one or more of the areas touched upon by the book.' --Laurence Boisson de Chazournes, University of Geneva, Switzerland
'This is a valuable and illuminating collection of essays on international law relating to natural resources, both terrestrial and marine, written by a team of distinguished international experts. Commendably, the book takes a holistic approach to its subject, examining a variety of areas of international law applicable to the exploitation of natural resources, including international environmental, human rights, investment and trade law. The book is an important and welcome contribution to the literature.' --Robin Churchill, University of Dundee, UK