WEEK 11 CONTEMPORARY WORLD (MODULE 10): PRINCIPLES ON INTERNATIONAL

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

Overview: The branch of public international law comprising of those substantive, procedural,
and institutional rules which have as their primary objective the protection of the environment.
The term “environment” is understood as encompassing both the creatures and products of the
natural world and those of human civilization.

At the end of module, the student will be able to:

1. understand the governing principles of international economic law and

2. apply these principles to the laws and cases in the Philippines.

Discussion:

International environmental law – branch of public international law comprising of

those substantive, procedural and institutional rules which have as their primary objective the
protection of the environment.

ESSENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL PRINCIPLES

Principles of Good Neighborliness

State have, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of
international law, the sovereign right to exploit their own resources pursuant to their own
environmental policies and the responsibility to ensure that activities within their jurisdiction or
control do not cause damage to the environment of other states or of other states of areas
beyond the limits of national jurisdiction.

Principle of Sustainable Development

It is development that meets the needs of the present without comprising the ability of
the future generations to meet their own needs.
Environment Impact Assessment Principle

Environmental impact assessment, as a national instrument, shall be undertaken for

proposed activities that are likely to have significant adverse impact to the environment and are
subject to a decision of a competent national authority.

Principle of Intergenerational Equity

Man bears a solemn responsibility to protect and improve the environment for present
and future generations.

Principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibility

Because developed states have contributed disproportionately to global environmental

degradation , and because they command greater financial and technological resources, those
states have a special responsibility in shouldering the burden of pursuing global sustainable
development.

Principle of Non-discrimination

Each state should ensure that is regime of environmental protection, when addressing
pollution origination within the state, does not discriminate between pollution affecting the
state and pollution affecting other states.

Strict Liability Theory

States are under an absolute obligation to prevent pollution and are liable for its effects
irrespectively of fault.

Test of Due Diligence

Is the standard that is accepted generally as the most appropriate one. The test of due
diligence undoubtedly imports an element of flexibility in the equation. It is also important to
note that elements of remoteness and fore see ability are part of the framework of the liability
of the states. The damage that occurs must have been caused by the pollution under
consideration.
Long-Range Trans- boundary Air Pollution

Air pollution whose physical origin is situated wholly or in part within the are under the
national jurisdiction of one state and which has adverse effects in the area under the
jurisdiction of another state at such a distance that it is generally possible to distinguish the
contribution of individual emission sources of groups.

The main bases of liability for trans boundary pollution under international laws are as
follows: (1.) An absolute duty to protect against harm from ultra-hazardous activities, which if
violated, results in a state being held strictly liable; (2.) The absolute right theory or the
responsibility for negligent or international acts; and (3.) good neighborliness principle.

COMMUNICATE

Work with a pair. Search the Internet for the Supreme Court-decided case titled: Oposa
v. Factoran, G. R. No. 101083, July 30, 1993.

1. Provide a summary of the case in the space below.

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2. Explain how the concept of “intergenerational responsibility” was applied in this case.

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3. Do you agree/disagree? Explain.

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4. Compare this to another Supreme Court-decided case titled: MMDA v. Concerned Citizens of
Manila Bay, G.R. Nos. 171947-48, December 18, 2008.

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CREATE

Make a brief critique of the 2015 Paris Convention:

1. What is the 2015 Paris Convention all about?

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2. Give at least five important points?

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3. Why is the Paris Convention important? Explain.

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4. What are the costs of the Paris Convention?

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5. Prior to signing the Paris Convention, President Rodrigo Duterte, at first, was vocally hesitant
to sign the same. Explain his reasons?

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6. Do you agree with him or not? Explain.

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COLLABORATE

As group, perform the following:

1. Search in the internet the case titled: Arigo v. Swift, G.R. No. 206510, September 16, 2014.

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2. Summarize the positions made by the petitioners in this case.

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3. Summarize the positions made by the respondents in this case.

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4. Explain the rulling of the Supreme Court.

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5. Explain why you agree or disagree with the said rulling.

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6. Provide your answers in the space below.

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7. Report your output in class.

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ASSESSMENT

1. Identify one essential learning that you obtained from this lesson.

2. Reflect on how this learning will enable you to help the following:

a. Your country

b. Your community

c. Your school

d. Your family