PARKLANDS LAW CAMPUS

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COURSE OUTLINE LAW – MAY- AUGUST 2023
BLW 3206-INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
LECTURER: MOGENI H. SHIRO PHD Candidate (UCT) LL. B (MU), Dip Laws, (KSL), LL.M,
(MAK).
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1.1. Purpose

To enable every learner to possess the competence and knowledge on environmental justice, its direct impact
on all spheres of life globally, the need for international collaborations and the legal issues arising therefrom.
This course aims to enable learners to examine the challenges, successes, and opportunities in harnessing state
and non-state efforts to promote international environmental protection.

1.2. Expected Learning Outcomes.

By the end of this course, the student should be able;

i. To ensure learners have the ability to apply the principles of international environmental law in
promoting environmental justice and development to resolve emerging issues;
ii. To enable learners to apply the concept of international environmental law, policy, and institutional
framework and its place in the system of international law;
iii. To facilitate learners to critically apply the norms of international treaties and policies in environmental
protection and litigation;
iv. To equip learners with legal skills to analyze international cooperation and synergies in environmental
protection and policies at both national and global levels;
v. To enable learners to distinguish the different spheres of environmental protection and the remedies
for their violation.

1.3. Teaching Methodologies

Lectures; Tutorials; Moot Courts; Video and Case Studies, Group work, and oral submissions will be
encouraged. The classes will be administered using the most secure e-learning models adopted by the University
and class attendance at convenient times.

1.4. Assessments
A student is assessed through;
End of semester examination – 70%; Continuous Assessment Tess- 30%; Total is 100%

1.5. Core Texts

• P, Birnie, A, Boyle & C, Ridgewell International Law and the Environment (2009) 3rd ed Oxford University
Press.
• Nanda, Ved, and George (Rock) Pring. International Environmental Law : International Environmental
Law and Policy for the 21st Century, BRILL, 2012. ProQuest Ebook Central,
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/mkuke-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1051845 .

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 • International Environmental Law and Governance, edited by Malgosia Fitzmaurice, and Duncan French,
BRILL, 2015. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/mkuke-
ebooks/detail.action?docID=2144879 .
• P Sands Principles of International Environmental Law (2010) Cambridge University Press.
• E Fisher, B Lange & E Scortfod Environmental Law: Texts, Cases and Materials (2013) Oxford University
Press
• Kibel, Paul Stanton. The Earth on Trial : Environmental Law on the International Stage, Taylor & Francis
Group, 1999. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/mkuke-
ebooks/detail.action?docID=178418

Further Reading Material

• Future of International Environmental Law, edited by David Leary, and Balakrishna Pisupati, United
Nations University Press, 2010. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/mkuke-
ebooks/detail.action?docID=728599 .
• Environmental Discourses in Public and International Law, edited by Brad Jessup, and Kim Rubenstein,
Cambridge University Press, 2012. ProQuest Ebook Central,
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/mkuke-ebooks/detail.action?docID=862411 .
• Holzhausen, A. (2022). Book Review: Non-Regression in International Environmental Law: Human Rights
Doctrine and the Promises of Comparative International Law. Environmental Law Review, 24(2), 168–
169. https://doi.org/10.1177/146145292211

COURSE CONTENT

WEEKS MODULES
WEEK 1 Objective: To define the role and importance of international law for the protection of the environment.
Expected Outcome: Improved learners’ ability to apply international law and policy for the effective
protection of the environment.

INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND POLICY

i. Definition of environmental law and policy
ii. Enacting and development of international environmental law
iii. Sources and Scope of International Environmental Law
iv. Environmental governance
v. The relationship between domestic environmental law and international environmental law
Case Law
• S.S. Lotus (France v. Turkey) Permanent Court of Int’l Justice, P.C.I.J. (ser. A) No. 10 (1927).
• Trail Smelter Arbitration (United States v. Canada) Arbitral Trib., 3 U.N. Rep. Int’l Arb. Awards 1905
• Nuclear Tests Case (New Zealand V. France). Nuclear Tests Case (Australia V. France).
Readings
• Birnie and Boyle International Law and the Environment. (2009) pg12 – 42.
• The Statute of the International Court of Justice 1946
Articles
Desai, B. H. (2020). Making Sense of the International Environmental Law-Making Process at a Time of
Perplexity. Yearbook of International Environmental Law

WEEK 2 Objective: To describe the historical evolution of IEL and identify its key standard-setting instruments
that identify the mechanisms and procedures.

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 Expected Outcome: An understanding on the historical development of IEL and its influence on the
emerging laws and policies.

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT
i. From 1900-1972: Early Glimmers
ii. The Beginnings to the Stockholm Conference
iii. From Stockholm to Rio
iv. The Impact of the Rio Conference
v. The World Conference on Sustainable Development (WSSD)
vi. Documentary -chernobly accident

Case Law
• The Chernobyl Accident 1986
• United States v. Louisiana, 382 U.S. 288 (1965), Supreme Court of the United States
• Sandoz chemical spill 1986

Readings
• Birnie and Boyle, International Law and the Environment (2009) pg12 – 42.
• The Evolution of International Environmental Law
• Peter H. Sand, The Oxford Handbook of International Environmental Law (2008)
• The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development 1992
• Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development 2002
• United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20 report 2012

Articles
Petryna, A. (2013). Life exposed: biological citizens after Chernobyl. Princeton University Press.

WEEK 3 Objective: To analyze the fundamental principles and emerging concepts of IEL and application in
environmental justice.
Expected Outcome: Enhance capacity of learners to apply IEL principles in litigation on environmental
justice at international and national level.
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES

i. Substantive Principles
o Prevention of Harm
o Precaution
o The “Polluter Pays” Principle
o Sustainable Development
ii. Principles of Process
o Duty to Know
o Duty to Inform and Consult
o Public Participation
iii. Equitable Principles
o Intergenerational Equity
o Common but Differentiated Responsibilities
o Equitable Utilization of Shared Resources
Case law
a. Trail Smelter Arbitration (United States v. Canada) Arbitral Trib., 3 U.N. Rep. Int’l Arb. Awards 1905
(1941)
b. North Sea Continental Shelf Cases, ICJ, 1969

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 c. Corfu Channel Case, ICJ, 1949
d. Vellore Citizen Welfare Forum vs. Union of India [1996] 5 SCC 647
Readings
• Birnie and Boyle, International Law and the Environment (2009) pg128 – 164.
• Sands (et al) Principles of International Environmental Law (2013) 187-237.
• Virginie Barral, Sustainable Development in International Law: Nature and Operation of an Evolutive Legal Norm
(2012) 23 the European Journal of International Law 377 – 400.
Articles
Baimuratov, M., Boychuk, A., & Kurovska, I. (2020, January). The Rule of Law as the Leading Principle of
International Law in the Age of Globalization. In 5th International Conference on Social, Economic, and Academic
Leadership (ICSEALV 2019) (pp. 240-244). Atlantis Press.

WEEK 4 Objective: To determine the role of state and non-state actors in the administration of international
environmental justice.
Expected Outcome: Strengthened ability of learners to understand the role and functions of international
non and state institutions influencing environmental justice discourse.

THE ROLE OF GLOBAL ACTORS AND STAKEHOLDERS

i. States and State Authorities

ii. International Organizations
iii. Global Institutions
iv. Regional Organizations
v. Sub regional and Bilateral
vi. International Financial Institutions
vii. The Private Sector
viii. Public Interest Organizations.

Case law
• Reparations for injuries case ICJ Reports (1949)174
• Jam et al v. International Finance Corp, 586 U.S. 2019

Readings
• Werksman, Jacob, Greening international institutions (2014) Routledge.
• Birnie and Boyle, International Law and the Environment (2009) pg58 – 100.
• Sands, P, Principles of International Environmental Law (2013) pg94-134.
• Naghmeh Nasiritousi, The roles of non-state actors in climate change governance: understanding agency through
governance profiles, (2016) 16 International Environmental Agreements.
Articles
Liu, Y. (2019). Friends of Nature and Public Interest Environmental Litigation. Chinese Journal of
Environmental Law, 3(2), 225-232.

WEEK 5 Objective: To explore the main instruments under international law on collaborative broad range of global
environmental challenges.
Expected Outcome: Capacity of learners to gain knowledge and skills to invoke international law with
reference to multilateral agreements that binds international and regional management of transboundary
resources

MULTILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS

i. Negotiations and Structure

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 ii. Common Provisions and Characteristics of MEAs
iii. Functions of Treaty Bodies and Compliance Procedures
iv. Dispute Settlement ;(i) Forum Selection; (ii) Choice of Law
v. Info MEA

Case Law
• The case of Ethiopia and Egypt; Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam
• Pulp Mills on the River Uruguay (Argentina v. Uruguay), Judgment, I.C.J. Reports 2010, p. 14
• Corfu Channel (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland v. Albania)1948
• Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons, Advisory Opinion, 1. C.J. Reports 1996, p. 226
Readings
• Birnie and Boyle, International Law and the Environment (2009) 58 – 100.
• Sands, Philipe, Principles of International Environmental Law (2013)94-134.
• Rieder, L.,The Relationship between Trade-Related Environmental Measures in Multilateral Environmental
Agreements and the WTO Law (2020).

Articles
Besedeš, T., Johnson, E. P., & Tian, X. (2020). Economic determinants of multilateral environmental
agreements. International Tax and Public Finance, 1-33.

WEEK 6 Objective: To assess the available mechanism to conserve biodiversity and maintain ecosystems to
enhance the benefits of ecosystem goods and services resulting to sustainable management of renewable
natural resources.
Expected Outcome: Improved capacity of learners to engage in biodiversity conservation and sustainable
natural resource management.

CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY(BIODIVERSITY)

i. Biodiversity: Genetic diversity. • Species diversity. • Ecosystem diversity.
Concept of nature –ecosystem, natural resources, conservation
ii. Importance of Biodiversity- Ethical and moral; Aesthetic; Ecological values
iii. Synopsis on the application of Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
iv. Existing Measures for Conserving Biodiversity; Focus in Kenya (In situ & Ex situ)
v. Global emerging issues in biodiversity & conservation management

Case Law
• Maritime Delimitation in the Indian Ocean (Somalia v. Kenya) Order of 2 February 2018-ICJ
• Maritime Delimitation in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean (Costa Rica v. Nicaragua) Judgment of 2 February
2018-ICJ
• Dispute over Status and Use of the Waters of the Silala (Chile v. Bolivia) Order of 1 July 2016-ICJ
Readings
• Patricia W. Birnie, Alan E. Boyle, Catherine Redgwel, International Law and the Environment (2009) 535 –
698.
• The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1973
• The Convention on Biological Diversity 1992.
• UN General Assembly Resolution A/69/L.65
Articles
Shiro Mogeni (2017) Towards an Effective Legal Framework for Sustainable Management of Mt Elgon
EcosystemEnvironmental Law & Policy eJournalVol 9, Issue 22, May 03, 2017

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 Casavecchia, S., Allegrezza, M., Biondi, E., Galli, A., Marcheggiani, E., Pesaresi, S., ... & Biscotti, N. (2020).
Conservation and Management of Biodiversity and Landscapes: A Challenge in the Era of Global Change.
In The First Outstanding 50 Years of “Università Politecnica delle Marche” (pp. 483-503). Springer, Cham.

WEEK 7 CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT TEST

WEEK 8&9 Objective: To discuss the implication of climate change and atmospheric pollution to the environment
and the existing shared but differentiated responsibilities of states.
Expected Outcome: Improved capacity of learners to determine the linkages between transboundary air
pollution and climate change/global warming.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION

• Tran boundary Air pollution

• Legal status of the atmosphere
• Overview of the 1979 Geneva Convention on Long Range Trans Boundary Air Pollution
• Protecting the Ozone Layer
• Overview of the 1985 Ozone Layer Convention
• Overview of the 1987 Montreal protocol
• The Climate change regime
• Flexible mechanism under Kyoto Protocol (economic background/ clean development mechanism/joint
implementation/international emission trading
• Climate change convention
• Kenyan context

Case Law
• Juliana v. US, 217 F. Supp. 3d 1224 (D. Or. 2016)
• Urgenda Foundation the State of the Netherlands - European Court of Human Rights 2015
• Mbabazi and Others v. The Attorney General and National Environmental Management Authority; Civil Suit No.
283 of 2012
• Urgenda Foundation v. The Netherlands [2015] HAZA C/09/00456689 (June 24, 2015)
Readings
• Patricia W. Birnie, Alan E. Boyle, Catherine Redgwel, International Law and the Environment (2009) pg
335 – 377.Oxford University Press, 2009
• Sands (et al) Principles of International Environmental Law (2013) 274- 298.
• The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 1992
• Ozone Layer Convention 1985
• Geneva Convention on long range trans boundary air pollution 1979
• Montreal protocol 1987
Articles
Hobbie, S. E., & Grimm, N. B. (2020). Nature-based approaches to managing climate change impacts in
cities. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 375(1794), 20190124.

WEEK 10 Objective: To comprehensively discuss the over aching principles and legal frameworks that govern the
management of transboundary international water courses.
Expected Outcome: Strengthen the ability of the learner to apply the international and development law
in litigation of disputes related to transboundary international waters.

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 INTERNATIONAL WATER COURSE
i. Scope of international water course
ii. Application of the Principle of allocation – Sovereignty, integrity, equitable utilization, common management,
iii. Responsibility and liability –Protection

MANAGEMENT OF WETLANDS
i. Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (1971 Ramsar Convention)

Case Law
• Maritime Delimitation in the Indian Ocean (Somalia v. Kenya) ICJ
• Handelskekerij Bier v Mines de potasse d’alsca; European Court Reports 1976 -01735
• Iron Rhine Arbitration (Belgium/Netherlands) The Hague, The Netherlands: T.M.C. Asser Press ; West Nyack,
NY : [distributor] for customers in the USA, Canada and Mexico, Cambridge University Press, ©2007
• Gut Dam Arbitration Settlement of Claims Case US- International Legal Materials Vol. 4, No. 3 (MAY 1965),
pp. 468-477
Readings
• Stephen C. Mccafrey,The Law of International Watercourses,(2007) Oxford University Press
• Patricia W. Birnie, Alan E. Boyle, Catherine Redgwel, International Law and the Environment (2009)
pg535 Oxford University Press, 2009

Articles
Eckstein, G. (2020). The status of the UN Watercourses Convention: does it still hold water?. International
Journal of Water Resources Development, 1-33.

Week 11 Objective: To interrogate on the effectiveness and application of the International Legal Framework for
the Protection of the Marine Environment.
Expected Outcome: Enhanced capacity of learners to apply legal measures under international law for
the protection of marine environment.

LEGAL PROTECTION OF MARINE ENVIRONMENT

UNCLOS: Rights and Duties of States in Maritime Areas

o Flag State Jurisdiction
o Port State Jurisdiction
o Coastal State Jurisdiction
Regulating Sources of Pollution
• Vessel Source Pollution
• Exploration and Exploitation of the Seabed
• Land-Based Pollution

Case Law
• Pulp Mills on the River Uruguay (Argentina. v. Uruguay) 2010 I.C.J 14.
• Case Gabčikovo-Nagymaros Project (Hungary v. Slovakia) [1997] ICJ
• The case concerning oil pollution in the marine environment the Federal States of Albacares V. The Republic of
Repelmuto 2011; ICJ

Readings
• Nora-Phoebe Erler, The Protection of the Marine Environment Against Alien Invasive Species: International Law
and Policy Responses (2018) Eleven International Publishing,

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 • Patricia W. Birnie, Alan E. Boyle, Catherine Redgwel, International Law and the Environment (2009) pg535
Oxford University Press, 2009
Articles
Vaughan, D., & Agardy, T. (2020). Marine protected areas and marine spatial planning–allocation of
resource use and environmental protection. In Marine Protected Areas (pp. 13-35). Elsevier.

Week 12 Objective: To explore the relevance of the international policy, legal and institutional framework for the
Toxic Substances and Hazardous Wastes.
Expected Outcome: Capacity of learners to identity the impact of toxic and hazardous substances on the
environment and interrogate various entry points for a litigation.

INTERNATIONAL REGULATION OF HAZARDOUS AND TOXIC SUBSTANCES

i. International trade in hazardous substances; the legal position,
ii. Why hazardous and toxic substances,
iii. International Regulatory Institutional and Legal Framework

Class link : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ddd87w2VRVA

Case Law
• The Probo Koala case (2006)
• The Koko Incident
• Obligations concerning Negotiations relating to Cessation of the Nuclear Arms Race and to Nuclear Disarmament
(Marshall Islands v. India) Judgment of 5 October 2016-ICJ
Readings
• Patricia W. Birnie, Alan E. Boyle, Catherine Redgwel, International Law and the Environment (2009) 443 –
486.
• Sands (eds) (et al) Principles of International Environmental Law (2013) 239- 274; 514 -553.
• Mengjun Chen et al, Evolution of electronic waste toxicity: Trends in innovation and regulation, (2016) 89-90
Environment International 147 – 154.
• Devin N. Perkins et al, E-Waste: A Global Hazard, (2014) 80 Annals of Global Health 286 – 295.
Articles
Moeckel, C., Breivik, K., Nøst, T. H., Sankoh, A., Jones, K. C., & Sweetman, A. (2020). Soil pollution at a
major West African E-waste recycling site: Contamination pathways and implications for potential
mitigation strategies. Environment International, 137, 105563.

WEEK 13 CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT TEST

WEEK 14 Objective: To determine the legality on the use and threat to use nuclear weapon and regulatory framework
for nuclear plants.
Expected Outcome: Enhanced learners’ knowledge on the scope of nuclear energy and the legal position
on the use of nuclear weapon.

NUCLEAR ENERGY
i. International regulation of nuclear energy
ii. Control of trans boundary nuclear energy
iii. State responsibility and liability
iv. Legality and threat of use nuclear weapons

Case Law
a) Nuclear Test Case (Australia v France)(1973)
b) Advisory opinion on the threat or use of nuclear weapons, ICJ report (1996)

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 Readings
• Raymond L Murray; Keith E Holbert, Nuclear energy: an introduction to the concepts, systems, and applications
of nuclear processes; (2015). Elsevier/Butterworth-Heinemann,
• Patricia W. Birnie, Alan E. Boyle, Catherine Redgwel International Law and the Environment (2009) 443 –
486.
• Sands (eds) (et al) Principles of International Environmental Law (2013) 239- 274; 514 -553.
Articles
Meyer, Y. (2020). Foreign Assistance in Establishing and Operating Nuclear Power Plants: The South
African Experience. In Nuclear Non-Proliferation in International Law-Volume V (pp. 191-208). TMC Asser
Press, The Hague.
WEEK 15 Objective: To determine the extent to which international environment relates to trade
Expected Outcome: Capacity of learners improved on the understanding on the application of
international environmental principles in environmental conservation and management.

TRADE AND ENVIRONMENT

i. WTO Rules and environment al policies
ii. The key agreements, with a special consideration of those related to the environment
▪ The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
▪ The Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade
▪ The Agreement on the Application of Sanitary Phytosanitary Measures
iii. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Case Law
i. Pulp Mills on River Uruguay (Argentina V Uruguay)
ii. European Communities — Measures affecting asbestos and asbestos-containing products. WTO
case No. 135. Ruling adopted on 5 April 2001. Case brought by Canada.
iii. United States — Import Prohibition of Certain Shrimp and Shrimp Products, the “shrimp-turtle”
case. WTO case Nos. 58 and 61. Ruling adopted on 6 November 1998. Case brought by India,
Malaysia, Pakistan and Thailand.

Readings
• Siebert, H. (2011). Trade and environment: a theoretical enquiry. Elsevier.
Articles
Jeffrey L. Dunoff, Institutional Misfits: The GATT, the ICJ & Trade-Environment Disputes, 15 MICH. J.
INT'LL. 1043 (1994).
WEEK 16 EXAMINATION

CONSULTATION HOURS: THURSDAY AND FRIDAYS 10H00 -17H00

MOGENI SHIRO ...... .....................Date....19th May 2023

LECTURER

ROSEMARY KIMATHI
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT......................RK.....................Date.... 19th May 2023