Published: December 30th 2008 - at 11:53 pmAn international environmental court?
A former chairman of the Bar Council is calling for an international court for the environment to punish states that fail to protect wildlife and prevent climate change.
Stephen Hockman QC is proposing a body similar to the International Court of Justice in The Hague to be the supreme legal authority on issues regarding the environment.
The first role of the new body would be to enforce international agreements on cutting greenhouse gas emissions set to be agreed next year.
But the court would also fine countries or companies that fail to protect endangered species or degrade the natural environment and enforce the “right to a healthy environment”.
The innovative idea is being presented to an audience of politicians, scientists and public figures for the first time at a symposium at the British Library.
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Reader comments
I suspect this will go down like a lead balloon with the public if it means governments are forced to increase the price of fuel or enforce other unpopular policies. The Left has always been keen on democracy and decentralising power – this looks worryingly like the opposite.
The environment often needs to be handled at an international level, so the concept of an international court is probably necessary.
It would be a bit busy though… Can’t think of one country that shouldn’t be tried… Bhutan maybe???
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