Environmental Rights & Access to Justice in the Global South

(4 Credits)

This course is about environmental rights and access to justice in the Global South. International environmental law aims to be universal and provide responses to global problems. However, environmental law has essentially originated from rich countries and the nature conservation narrative has largely been driven by the Global North. While rich countries worry about higher environmental standards, countries in the Global South struggle with poverty, debt, and climate vulnerability. Is environmental law designed by the rich and for the rich? This course aims to discuss contemporary environmental concerns from the unique perspective of the Global South, highlighting the contributions of academics, judges, and institutions from the South. The course will bring the insights from these diverse voices on issues such as climate justice and adaptation, funding for climate action, indigenous peoples rights and access to justice, among others. Special attention will be given to 21st Century environmental problems. Appropriateness of the present environmental legal regimes and challenges for the future will also be mooted in the course.