Harmonizing Sovereignty And Environmental Protection: Exploring Sustainable Development Approaches

Abstract

    International Environmental Law (IEL) is a set of legal frameworks which addresses global environmental issues like climate change, biodiversity, pollution control, conservation, and the sustainable management of natural resources. Balancing sovereignty and environmental protection is a cornerstone of sustainable development. Sovereign states have the primary responsibility to implement sustainable development within their territories. However, many environmental challenges, like transboundary pollution, climate change, and resource depletion transcend borders and require international cooperation. In sustainable development, principles like the Precautionary principle and Polluter pays principle help reconcile sovereignty with environmental responsibility. These principles ensure that states take preventive action to avoid environmental harm and internalize the costs of pollution, aligning national policies with global sustainable development goals. Issues such as Acid Rain in Europe and North America, Chernobyl Nuclear disaster, Marine Pollution in the Baltic and North Seas, Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Waste, Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are the repeated awakening calls for the nations across the globe. Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) recognizes that while all states are responsible for addressing global environmental degradation, they bear different responsibilities based on their capacities and historical contributions to environmental harm. It requires states to exercise their sovereign rights responsibly while collaborating on global environmental challenges, fostering an equilibrium between national interests and international environmental stewardship.

Keywords: Sustainable Development, Precautionary principle, Polluter pays principle, Environment Protection.