Title PhD
Environmental Revolution under the Aegis of International Law: Recognition of International Environmental Crimes as the main concern in International Jurisdiction - A discussion on International Environmental Crimes
Research field
International Criminal Law/ International Environmental Law
Introduction
This PhD gives an insight into the world of internationally relevant environmental crimes and suggests a system on the international level to adjudicate these potential international crimes
Abstract
In recent years environmental degradation made its way onto the first spots on the political agenda in most countries. Climate change, desertification or loss of species are now considered a significant threat not only to earth, but also to humanity itself. International environmental crimes take up a significant portion of the overall natural degradation of the environment. However, these acts still remain on the outer slopes of attention and concern within this environmental sensitisation.
Given the significance of a healthy environment in general, it is of utmost importance that widespread international environmental harm receives more attention from a criminalist perspective than the thriving environmental destruction. Currently there is no consequent approach to tackle this behaviour; there is not even an agreed upon definition what international environmental crimes actually encompass.
This urgent matter demands an in-depth legal approach, especially from an international criminal law point of view to use the "ultima ratio" of the law to condemn the epidemic of environmental degradation through illegal acts of humans or human entities (in addition to often weak national approaches on criminal jurisdiction on environmental harm).
The recognition of certain environmental harmful conducts with international impacts as a "criminal act" and to find a solution of how to adjudicate these acts on international level is the central aim of this thesis. Strict penalisation of environmental wrongdoing and international enforcement trhough an (regional) international criminal tribunal will strenghten international law, the international community of states as well as international and national environmental health/protection. On the basis of the found analysis of the current state of the handling of international environmental crimes, an assessment of a potential judicial entity judging environmental harm on the international level. This analysis ends with the recommendation of a new form of institution(s) to adjudicate and handle international environmental harm on the international level.