Chapter Seven Energy and the Environment: An International Perspective

This chapter assesses international environmentally related legal and policy issues associated with energy from several perspectives. It first describes the intertwined relationship among energy, economic development, and the environment. The chapter then analyzes the evolution of energy and environmental law in an international context. Next, it explores current international law relating to energy and the environment. It discusses the three specific topics: nuclear energy regulation; marine oil pollution regulation; and a unique treaty that aims to foster energy development along with environmental protection. The chapter then looks ahead and contemplates a new scheme for regulating energy, global energy governance. The conclusion is based on a number of factors, not least of which are energy insecurity, the changing nature of pollution, how to protect and promote “global public goods” related to a healthy environment, addressing energy poverty, and the need to encourage huge investments in new and modern energy infrastructure. Keywords:economic development; energy; Energy Charter Treaty (ECT); environment; global energy governance; international law; marine oil pollution; nuclear energy