Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Meisam Norouzi ¹
• Pouya Berelian ²
• Mehdi Eskandari Khoshgu ³

¹ Assistant Professor , International Law, Faculty of Humanities, Bu- Ali Sina University, Hamadan, Iran.

² Ph.D. in public International Law, Allameh Tabatabaei University, Tehran, Iran.

³ Master of International Law, Civil and Development Higher Education Institute, Hamadan, Iran

Abstract

Introduction

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of humanity. Human activities, notably fossil-fuel combustion, release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, thus exacerbating climate change. The adverse effects of climate change are already affecting the world, and they may continue to have potentially harmful ramifications at the global level. Despite existing obligations, the efforts made by the world states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have proven ineffective, leading to continued increases in emissions. In this light, the approach to legal obligations of states to mitigate environmental risks associated with the greenhouse gas emission must offer fresh perspectives on environmental harm while fostering the search for sustainable, ethical, and equitable alternatives. Following international treaties, international conventions addressing environmental concerns should enforce punitive measures against environmentally detrimental actions, often perpetrated under the government’s supervision or tacit approval, including those carried out by the private sector. Some governmental actions and the ensuing greenhouse gas emissions result in environmental pollution and global warming, ultimately leading to the total destruction of the Earth’s environment. It is thus necessary to devise an approach towards the obligations of states to control environmental risks associated with greenhouse gas emissions, which could hold the states accountable for any environmentally harmful measure. In this respect, the present study aimed to address the following research questions: What are the obligations of states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in combating global climate change? And to what extent these obligations are legally binding? The study is based on the hypothesis that states, in combating climate change, are indeed burdened with specific obligations to decrease greenhouse gas emissions compared to past, and these obligations are typically of a soft nature.

Literature Review

The realm of international obligations concerning the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions has been the subject of valuable research. A number of Persian-language studies (e.g., Khadivi et al., 2019; Mashhadi & Rastegar, 2017; Pourhashemi et al. 2021) delved into the crisis of global climate change by focusing on the regulations and principles of international environmental law, as well as the future trajectory of international law in this regard, with an eye to the role of states. Moreover, several English-language articles (e.g., Ekardt et al., 2018; Hulme, 2009; Morine & Patino, 2010; Shahbazi & Pouya Berelian, 2020) examined the obligations of states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in combatting global climate change, often analyzing international agreements and considering future developments in the field.

Materials and Methods

The present study used a descriptive–analytical method and a library research method to collect and analyze the data sourced from international documents, books, and related articles.

Results and Discussion

There is a significant likelihood that if actions against international environmental obligations of states are not addressed within a criminological framework, their activities and greenhouse gas emissions will result in environmental pollution and global warming, ultimately leading to the complete destruction of the Earth. The current study highlighted the significant role of the media in elucidating environmental crimes. If environmental destruction and greenhouse gas emissions are criminalized at the international level, states can be held accountable. Consequently, they may use the media to raise awareness of the issue in the national context, informing both the public and private sectors about crimes related to environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by factories. Given that fulfilling the obligations of states necessitates criminalizing undue interference in climate change, it is necessary to consider criminal laws, in addition to states’ obligations, concerning potential non-compliance. Legal actions may encompass not only the issue of climate change itself but also the costs of combating climate change. Therefore, both financial and non-financial aspects must be included. States must take action in case of violations of the responsibility, aiming to compensate for harmful and destructive actions against the environment. Moreover, both public and private sectors should be subject to strict monitoring for environmentally detrimental behavior. In fact, if the governments are tasked with specific obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with combatting global climate change, it will automatically lead to compliance on part of the private sector. Thus, there should be strict obligations for the world states, with current soft commitments changing into hard, enforceable ones.

Conclusion

Considering environmental meetings, conventions, and even the Paris Agreement, it seems that such agreements—notwithstanding their binding nature—may fail if member states face challenges such as economic problems. In such cases, the countries may continue to produce greenhouse gases in various ways. Even in the face of complaints by environmentalists, governments will justify their actions on the grounds of economic conditions, employment issues, or managerial considerations. Therefore, if anti-environmental actions—which often occur under the government supervision or with government support and knowledge—are not addressed within a criminological framework, they will likely result in environmental pollution and global warming, leading to the potential destruction of the Earth. This research highlighted the relation between the international environmental protection and the need for a new institutional order, which justifies creating an international court dedicated exclusively to environmental issues. Two significant international commitments in 2015 (i.e., the U.N. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 2016 Paris Agreement on Climate Change) underscore the need for specialized environmental courts. The international agreements and obligations, as well as the resulting environmental disputes, have highlighted the importance of having specialized courts to handle such cases. Even before the 2016 Paris Agreement, climate change had already led to numerous lawsuits and judicial decisions. There are two ways to establish an international environmental court: through an international treaty, either within or outside the U.N, or through a U.N. resolution. Moreover, the present study emphasized the crucial role of the media in raising awareness of environmental crimes. As a conclusion, it is necessary to monitor and control both the private and public sectors for environmentally harmful behaviors; however, government obligations to cut greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change will also positively impact the private sector.

Keywords

• Obligations of States
• Global Climate Change
• Greenhouse Gas Emission
• Environment
• International Responsibilities

Main Subjects

• International Law